Soundbites: Football Media Day 2024

BLACKSBURG – Virginia Tech football met with local media on Tuesday for its annual media day press conference during Fall Camp. Head coach Brent Pry opened the day with an intro statement highlighting important staff title changes, sold-out games and the program's upcoming Fan Day. All three coordinators, Tyler Bowen, Stu Holt and Chris Marve, made their way to the podium and highlighted key player developments on their respective sides of the ball. Three student-athletes, Aeneas Peebles, Bhayshul Tuten and Jaylin Lane, spoke as well to conclude the 90-minute press conference session. Read below for highlights from each speaker: 

Head Coach Brent Pry

On Phase Four:
"Well, Phase Four and being in camp. We've already had so many elements of what camp is. The adversity, the development, the excitement, the big plays, the missed plays, the improvements that are recognized. Guys roles growing, guys that maybe weren't factoring in all of a sudden have a chance to. Fine tuning, we tell the guys all the time, it's about mastering your craft, truly understanding your position. That's a big piece of preseason camp to me, as well as learning our systems and being very comfortable in our offense, in our defense, in our kicking game."

On the mentality and leadership of players during camp:
"It's great to have confidence, we deserve that, we earned that. But to remain humble, to remain hungry, those things are essential. We've got a group that's doing both those things right now."

Offensive Coordinator Tyler Bowen

On Kyron Drones' improvement as a passer:
"Well, it opens up a ton. I mean, for us offensively and our guys know this, we want to be able to establish the run game. But within that, it opens up some really good play-action opportunities. So being able to throw the ball in the tight windows, watching him, how he's improved his deep ball accuracy, watching how he's improved his release. The ball is coming out of his hand faster. So when teams want to play our box and we can whip out a perimeter screen, I think all of that, he's really developed that toolbox, which he's had before. But I think a variety of things comfort in the offense and going into it and knowing exactly what's needed within the offense for us to be successful. You've seen him take big steps and it certainly opens up things we can do."

 

Defensive Coordinator Chris Marve

on finishing more sacks over the past two seasons:
"Yeah, certainly our guys a second year in the system that attributes to a better comprehension on what we're trying to get done in terms of being aggressive, playing on edges and knowing how to cage the rabbit, so to speak, when you're talking about the quarterback. I think about two years ago, we got to the quarterback a fair amount, struggled to finish. Last year, we got to the quarterback a fair amount, we finished a few more plays, but there's still meat on the bone. So there's still more to go out there and go get. We like our guys. We like the packages that we have in place, but it's still a lot more opportunities to go and get after the quarterback."

Special Teams Coordinator Stu Holt

On his confidence in the group of specialists:
"You know, you have an idea of who's gonna be out there. You take comfort in that those guys have game experience. So you know that it's not gonna be too big for them. But, you know, it's a new year. You gotta go out there and do the job. You certainly can't live in the past and you want to use that experience to instill confidence, but yet understanding that you gotta go perform. And so I like that, I like where our guys are. I like the group of bringing back. I think they're really talented. They work really hard. You know, really, really pleased with the way they go about it every day."

Defensive Lineman Aeneas Peebles

On the impact of defensive line coach JC Price:
"Coach Price is unique. That's the best way I'll put it, you know, he's the perfect combination of both. When I'm doing wrong, he'll let me know I'm doing wrong. And when I'm doing right, he'll jump in the air and celebrate with me. And that's what I thought that's exactly what I needed. And that was one of the reasons why I wanted to come and play for Virginia Tech."

Running back Bhayshul Tuten

On the offensive chemistry:
"I think with everybody being back and having a full year under playing with each other I think the chemistry is going to be much better. We all been working really hard to you know be a great offensive group to come out and play great for Hokie Nation."

Wide receiver Jaylin Lane

On Tyler Bowen expanding the playbook:
"Coach Tebow, he's a really creative guy and he likes to get touches, easy touches to guys and let them make plays. And whether it be in a short game, deep pass game, whatever it may be. So, you know, I'm excited to see the playbook opened up and we've already seen that a little bit throughout the first five days. And we just continue to grow and grow. So hopefully by Vandy would be peak offense."