Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG – Virginia Tech defensive lineman Antwaun Powell-Ryland and cornerback Dorian Strong have been named to ESPN’s CFB Rank 2024 list, which recognizes the top 100 college football athletes across both offense and defense. This recognition marks Strong’s second consecutive year on the list, while Powell-Ryland makes his first appearance. Strong notched No. 88 on the list and Powell-Ryland at No. 63.
Powell-Ryland earns his first ranking after a dominant first season with the Hokies. The 6-foot-3, 252-pound defensive end was a key figure in keeping “Sacksburg” alive in 2023, tallying a team-leading 9.5 sacks over 12 starts. His sack total ranked second in the ACC and tied for fourteenth across the country.
This is Powell-Ryland's third major preseason watch list nod, including his placement on the Bednarik Award watch list and more recently the Lombardi Trophy watch list. Defensive tackle Aeneas Peebles, a graduate student acquired in the transfer portal from Duke, is also included on the Lombardi Trophy watch list. The award, named after legendary coach Vince Lombardi, is given to the nation’s most outstanding defensive lineman.
Strong finds himself on the list after yet another impressive year in the Tech secondary. Allowing an FBS third-best 2.8 yards per target, the Upper Marlboro, Maryland native started all 13 games last season and tallied 25 tackles (18 solo). He is the second FBS cornerback since 2014 with over 300 coverage snaps played and less than ten receptions allowed along with less than 100 yards receiving in a season.
The home opener against Marshall reached sold-out status this week, joining Clemson and Rutgers. Fans are encouraged to secure tickets to the remaining games before they sell out as well.