Hokie ClubHeading into their fifth-ever matchup, the Hokies and Monarchs are looking to kick off the 2023 season with a bang when they meet inside Lane Stadium on Saturday evening. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. ET, with the game set to air on the ACC Network.
Below are some storylines fans should keep a look out for heading into Saturday's game.
High Hopes in New Threads
Rich with talent from the transfer portal this past offseason, Tech second-year head coach Brent Pry added quite a new group to the mix to help out the Hokies on the gridiron in 2023.
It's hard to start elsewhere than the former Monarch himself and standout receiver Ali Jennings, who shined against the Hokies last season with his five-catch, 122-yard performance against Virginia Tech. The 2022 All-Sun Belt First Teamer secured a team-leading 54 passes for 959 yards and nine touchdowns a season ago in the Hudson Blue, with him quickly becoming a hot commodity upon deciding to head elsewhere to finish out his college career.
The new-look receiving corps doesn't stop there. The additions of Norfolk State transfer Da'Quan Felton and former Middle Tennessee Blue Raider Jaylin Lane certainly help the cause, and have helped rebrand a positional group with a high-level ceiling for the upcoming campaign.
The backfield should look a little bit different, too, with former FCS third-team All-American Bhayshul Tuten being added to the fold. The former North Carolina A&T Aggie ran for 1,363 yards on 208 carries with a whopping 13 touchdowns this past season, and should serve as a viable option to complement Malachi Thomas in the running backs room.
How about the reeling in of Baylor transfer signal-caller Kyron Drones? The redshirt sophomore adds an interesting element to Tech's quarterback room backing up incumbent starter Grant Wells, with his play-making abilities likely being put to use when the Hokies see fit.
You can't forget about the defensive side of the ball either. Florida transfer Antwaun Powell-Ryland adds a much-needed presence up front after two successful seasons during his time with the Gators. The Portsmouth, Virginia product racked up 29 total tackles, with 11 solo stops, in 2022, sacking the quarterback three total times.
Former Georgia Southern cornerback Derrick Canteen is a nice addition to Tech's secondary, too. The fifth-year senior tallied 64 total tackles a season ago, leading the team with 12 pass breakups and picking off a pass en route to a third-team All-Sun Belt selection in 2022.
New Faces and New Spaces
With two departures from the previous staff, the second-year head man opted to bring in veteran offensive line coach Ron Crook to direct the Hokies up front, and former Maryland assistant Elijah Brooks to lead the charge in the backfield for the upcoming campaign.
As a result, special teams coordinator Stu Holt shifts to the tight ends room after coaching the running backs a season ago, and Tyler Bowen is now in the quarterbacks room after spending last season in charge of the tight ends position.
It's hard to ignore, too, the greater responsibilities that second-year defensive coordinator Chris Marve will take on in 2023. After easing his way into his new role a season ago under Pry's wing, the former Vanderbilt standout is set to take full control of the defensive play-calling this upcoming year, with Marve making his debut calling the shots in last year's 23-22 victory over Liberty in the season finale.
Decisions, Decisions
As the clock began to tick on the conclusion of fall camp for Tech football in 2023, the Hokies were tasked with a multitude of difficult decisions when shaping out the depth chart for the matchup with the Monarchs.
Though the vast majority shouldn't come as a surprise, there are certainly a few names to highlight when circling who to watch out for this upcoming weekend. Tuten gets the nod as the starter in the backfield for his debut in maroon and orange on Saturday night, creating a solid one-two punch with the aforementioned Thomas waiting right behind him as a dynamic duo carrying the ball for Tech.
On the defensive side of the ball, it's worth mentioning that sophomore Keyshawn Burgos gets the start at the end position after a highly successful camp. The Chesterfield, Virginia native posted three total tackles in his freshman campaign in 2022, seeing action in 10 of 11 contests in a promising rookie season for the 6-foot-5, 245-pounder.
The special teams category possesses quite a few storylines, too, with redshirt freshman John Love winning the place kicking battle after starting the final two games a season ago, and Kyle Lowe is set to tee up kicks. Lane will return punts, while Tuten will receive kicks. Peter Moore will once again be the team's punter.