Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG – Following a busy offseason rebuilding parts of its coaching staff and infusing new talent on its roster, the 2025 Hokies enter spring ball looking to forge their identity. Offensive coordinator Philip Montgomery is hard at work installing his system to maximize the skill set of a roster that blends promising young talent with experienced veterans.
Quarterback
Starting with the most impactful position on the field, the Hokies bring back a familiar face in starting signal caller Kyron Drones. Now entering his third season leading the offense, Drones is looking to return to full strength after injury setbacks in 2024. The redshirt senior is actively raising the competitive standards of the program.
“He's one of our best workers and had probably the highest win percentage (in winter workouts). So, I think he's back in form,” Head Coach Brent Pry mentioned during his pre-spring ball press conference. “I think he's confident again, largely because of the off-season he had. I'm so excited about Coach Montgomery and what he brings, not just to our team, to our offense, but to that room, to Kyron Drones.”
The Houston, Texas product is the most experienced player in the quarterback room that also boasts redshirt sophomore William “Pop” Watson, who made five appearances in 2024 with two starts. Watson showcased some playmaking ability in his first career start against Virginia, in which he posted over 300 yards of total offense and two touchdowns.
The quarterback group is rounded out by three players who are in developmental phases, including redshirt freshman Davi Belfort, and freshmen A.J. Brand and Kelden Ryan.
Running Back
Moving to the backfield, running back is a position group that provides plenty of opportunities for a new lead back following the departure of Bhayshul Tuten to the NFL Draft. Redshirt senior P.J. Prioleau and redshirt sophomore Jeremiah Coney both return in 2025. Prioleau appeared in six games last year before suffering a season-ending injury and showed flashes by scoring two touchdowns in last year’s Spring Game. Coney played in 12 games, making his lone career start in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl. The 6-foot tailback made an impression on the road at Syracuse, posting 96 yards, including a career-long 47-yard carry.
Redshirt freshman Tyler Mason is also back in the fold, while freshman Jeffrey Overton Jr. is the youngest addition to the room as a member of the 2025 signing class.
The Hokies have also added transfer running backs, graduate student Braydon Bennett and senior Marcellous Hawkins, who bring experience to a relatively young group. Bennett joins the program after leading Coastal Carolina with 13 touchdowns in 11 contests last season. Hawkins transfers in with accolades of his own, starting 13 games at Central Missouri in 2023 and earning all-conference honors as an all-purpose back.
Another transfer, Terion Stewart, will join the program this summer from Bowling Green, where he rushed for 898 yards and six touchdowns in 11 games last season.
Wide Receivers
Another room loaded with young talent chomping at the bit for a larger role is the ‘Bad Boyz,’ as associate head coach Fontel Mines refers to them.
With the top three spots vacated after the 2024 season, junior Ayden Greene, redshirt sophomore Takye Heath and redshirt junior Tucker Holloway have a pathway to more snaps. Greene brings plenty of intrigue after showcasing his potential in 13 games with a breakout contest against Minnesota in the Mayo Bowl headlined by six catches for 115 yards. Holloway and Heath offer tons of speed as playmakers with the ball in their hands, especially as returners on special teams.
Redshirt freshmen Keylen “Brodie” Adams and Chanz Wiggins both offer a ton of future potential. Adams saw action in three games in 2024, while Wiggins played in four. The Hokies bolstered the position through the transfer portal with junior Cameron Seldon and graduate student Donavon Greene joining the receiver room, which also includes converted safety Devin Alves. Alves spent three seasons as a defensive back. Seldon arrives in Blacksburg after playing in 19 games the past two seasons as a running back at Tennessee. Greene played in 33 career games at Wake Forest, recording 102 receptions.
QB1 back in action 😎#ThisIsHome | #TeamOverMe | @KyronDrones pic.twitter.com/8FImSjJ2my
— Virginia Tech Football (@HokiesFB) March 21, 2025
Tight End
The tight end room is now led by Coach Brent Davis, who spent last season as the co-offensive line coach. The group should prove to be a valuable asset for Tech’s offense due to its ability to contribute consistently to both the run and pass game. Redshirt junior Benji Gosnell returns after establishing a strong chemistry with Drones last season. Gosnell started all 13 games in 2024, posting a career-high 32 receptions along with two touchdowns. He’s accompanied by fellow redshirt juniors Harrison Saint Germain and Cole Reemsnyder.
Redshirt sophomores Zeke Wimbush and Ja’Ricous Hairston round out the position group after playing in all 13 games last season. While Wimbush and Hairston primarily held roles on special teams, they will aim to carve out bigger contributing roles within the offense.
Offensive Line
Finishing up in the trenches, this position group will see the biggest change with plenty of competition up front under new offensive line coach Matt Moore. Bob Schick is back for his final season as the lone regular starter from 2024. Redshirt juniors Brody Meadows and Johnny Garrett will look to expand on their rotational roles last season. Meadows logged 328 snaps and started along with Garrett in the Mayo Bowl.
The Hokies added Tomas Rimac, Kyle Altuner, and Lucas Austin via the portal from West Virginia. Rimac was an All-Big 12 Honorable Mention selection last season with the Mountaineers.
Montavious Cunningham and Layth Ghannam will have a chance to showcase their development while redshirt sophomores Grant Karczewski, Caleb Nitta and Hannes Hammer can provide depth.
Experience the Hokies' new offensive scheme firsthand at the Spring Game, presented by PMSI, on Saturday, April 12 at 3 p.m. ET. Get your tickets and parking pass today!