BLACKSBURG – After six spring ball practices in the books, Virginia Tech football head coach Brent Pry, two assistant coaches and three players spoke to the media during a press conference on Wednesday. For what they had to say, read below.
HEAD COACH BRENT PRY
Opening statement:
"Welcome everybody. Obviously, we've had six practices and am excited about the direction of the team and energy in the effort by the staff and the players. Made a bunch of position changes following Saturday's half scrimmage. Our guys have embraced it. I'm looking forward to seeing how the week unfolds."
On this past Saturday's scrimmage:
"I thought the kids were resilient players with the weather conditions being what they were. I thought that was good for us. We want to be a tough football team, and it was windy and snowy. It was an ideal situation to get some wet ball work. It was tough field conditions. I want that for them, to battle through that and be able to perform. We got a lot of work to do, but I thought it was a step in the right direction."
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DEFENSIVE LINE COACH J.C. PRICE
On the dynamic between the younger and old guys:
"Well, Norell [Pollard] and TyJuan [Garbutt], I think they have really increased their leadership and the thing that they're doing a better job of is understanding what their personal issues are. They're addressing their own individual liabilities and issues they have. You can't be a leader if you're not doing your thing right. And right now, those two guys are doing all the little things off the field. They're living right off the field. They're doing things right in the classroom to do things right in the meeting rooms. You can't call out a guy on his behavior if yours isn't right. Those two guys have really grown up. Taking the challenge of becoming the leaders in the room. They do a great job with that right now."
WIDE RECEIVERS COACH FONTEL MINES
On early impressions of the wide receiver group:
"Kaleb [Smith] has done an excellent job of being the leader and a tremendous job of being the same guy every day. We are looking for leadership. It's my job to develop those guys. I'm here to help them and help them learn and help them be passionate about the sport and passionate about this game because it's not going to give you anything that you haven't worked for. I think that's the biggest thing for us is we're learning and they are developing. They continue to see who they are as a person who they are as a player. But competition by far is the top of our list."
DEFENSIVE LINEMAN COLE NELSON
On his improvement since arriving in Blacksburg:
"I'd say what really has improved the most is that I have focused on my technique and just not stuttering. I've learned that I just need to trust myself and I just need to do what I know is right. Like I know the play. I don't need to over think it or think twice."
WIDE RECEIVER STEPHEN GOSNELL
On being a transfer and joining a new team:
"Yeah, we are all tight. Everyone has been pretty accepting. With the transfer portal, I'm sure it's hard for the current guys but you become close and everyone has been very accepting of me. We are all cool with each other."
WIDE RECEIVER JADAN BLUE
On his game and what he brings to the table:
"Well, I feel like I haven't even been able to fully show my game [in year's past]. I can catch anything and everything. But I feel like one of my biggest things is being able to break away from defenders while bringing routes, to be able to create a lot of space."
Fans will be able to see the Hokies in action on Saturday, April 16 for their spring game at 4 p.m. ET in Lane Stadium. Tickets to Virginia Tech Football's 2022 Spring Game are now on sale for just $5, along with an option to add a minimum $5 donation in support of Tech football.