Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG – Heading into head coach Brent Pry's second season at the helm, Virginia Tech football is eager to get back out on the field following its winter offseason conditioning program.
The program, which is tabbed Hunger Drills, marks Phase 1 of the team's steps leading up to its fall season.
During the last two months of those early morning workouts, defensive coordinator Chris Marve shared how he saw a resilient work ethic, which truly was tangible.
"You can see it and you feel it," Marve said in Tuesday's press conference. "Even though we had spring break last week, we've been around them quite a few days and you can see the maturity and how it's continued over the course of a nine-day break. They're hungry, so I'm excited to get to some football."
This team, which welcomed 19 newcomers in January, has shown a hunger and willingness to learn that should translate to the field come Thursday, marking its first practice. The Hokies have four practices before their open practice to the public on Saturday, March 25, and Pry can't wait to show the fans what this team has been working towards.
"I'm fired up we got an open practice for everybody on March 25," Pry said Tuesday. "We did this last year and have another one this spring, which will be in Lane Stadium. I believe that's our fifth practice. It will be a chance for everybody to come out and see what we're about."
The Hokies will practice 15 times during spring ball, the maximum amount for FBS programs, and return 41 lettermen, including 16 on offense, 21 on defense and four specialists. Additionally, they have 17 starters coming back, including seven on offense, six on defense and four specialists.
Tech will hold its annual Spring Game, presented by PMSI, in Lane Stadium on Saturday, April 15 at 3 p.m. ET. More specifics about that day's events will be released when finalized. Join the interest list and be the first to know when additional details are made available.