Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG – Four days out from the first day of spring, the Hokies laced up their cleats, fastened their shell gear and buckled up their chin straps for the first practice of Phase Two.
Friday morning, Virginia Tech football officially began spring ball with the first of 15 practices for its offseason period.
Enthusiasm was at an all-time high when players and coaches got the opportunity to work out on the Steve Johnson Practice Fields and in the Beamer-Lawson Practice Facility.
Entering year three of leading the program, head coach Brent Pry and staff are implementing a new process for spring practices.
"We've altered some things with the start of spring ball," Pry mentioned earlier in the week. "We'll be fast and furious, but we won't be out there as long initially. It will be a build-up to a full two-hour and 20-minute practice."
Periods during the first practice session predominantly focused on player development such as technique, scheme responsibility and conditioning. Different competitive segments during practice showcased the talent on the roster.
The offense ran plays with a good tempo that provided a glimpse of the speed at the skill positions, while the defense displayed its explosiveness and ability to fly around the field.
Evaluation of the student-athletes is a vital area of the process, and it was echoed during Friday's post-practice media availability by safeties coach Pierson Prioleau.
"Long way to go, but that's the exciting thing about spring. We get to come out here and, day by day, take it one rep at a time," Prioleau reflected. "We get to assess our players and evaluate our players as we get prepared."
Tech will be back on the practice field Saturday morning as it progresses to the first live contact period on Thursday, March 21.
Fans excited to see the Hokies in action can attend the Spring Game, presented by PMSI, on Saturday, April 13 at 3 p.m. ET.
More specifics will be released in the coming weeks. Fans can join our interest list to be the first to know when additional details are made available.
Gallery: (3-15-2024) FB: First 2024 Spring Practice