2025 Fall Camp Notebook: Defense Shines Against A Hobbled Offense
Sons of Saturday was back out at Hokies practice today to check in on the team just 18 days before they line it up against now 13th ranked South Carolina. Here's some of the biggest takeaways from our limited time on the field and our post-practice conversations with Coach Brent Pry, OL Montavious Cunningham, and DL Kody Huisman.
Defense shines in competitive drills
For the first time this season, we got to see some competition during practice, with the WRs and DBs squaring off in 1-on-1's. While the period started with a nice catch from Ayden Greene on a slant route, the defense shined in the session overall. A pair of transfers had nice reps, with ECU newcomer Isaiah Brown-Murray showing some good man instincts against Donavon Greene.
Sons of Saturday Virginia Tech
@SonsofSatVT
Tough day at the office for the WRs during 1-on-1’s. After starting the period with an Ayden Greene catch, Tech’s wideouts struggled to create much separation. Here’s WR Donavon Greene working against ECU transfer Isaiah Brown-Murray.
Pitt transfer Jordan Bass drew praise from Coach Pry when he flashed his long 6'3 frame to intercept this ball, working against freshman Micah Matthews.
Sons of Saturday Virginia Tech
@SonsofSatVT
And here’s Pitt transfer safety Jordan Bass showing some nice recovery skills to undercut this ball and pick it off.
WR room taking shape?
Before I break this down, it's always important to note that trying to project depth charts at this point in camp is extremely difficult. The media only gets a small glimpse at practice that can cloud the real story. For more caveats on Fall Camp reporting, check out me and Billy Ray's Fall Camp breakdown.
But with that said, we can try to glean some things from the drills we got to see. Donavon and Ayden Greene continue to lead the Hokies off at outside receiver in most drills. Greene was coupled with Takye Heath in the slot. Redshirt freshman Chanz Wiggins did not have his helmet on during the media portion of practice today, seemingly opening up some reps for true freshmen Shamarius "Snook" Peterkin and Micah Matthews, who were more involved with the second group today. Junior Devin Alves also ran a sweet in-cut during 1-on-1's to beat freshman Jojo Crim. Pry highlighted Alves after practice as a contender in the WR competition.
On some of the 1-on-1 reps, the DB's got away with a little more contact than they would during an actual game, and these drills can sometimes be skewed towards the defense's favor, contributing to a tough looking day for the offense.
A "lopsided" day of practice
Coach Pry said that while it was a good day of practice, and "really competitive," that one side of the ball seemed to dominate drills too often. He said he wants to see the units respond better.
Sons of Saturday Virginia Tech
@SonsofSatVT
Coach Pry on a “lopsided” day of practice. Still said the day overall was “really competitive.”
Sons of Saturday Virginia Tech
@SonsofSatVT
Pry says he gave WR Devin Alves a shoutout after practice: “Had maybe one of the best days a wideout has had around here in awhile.”
Sons of Saturday Virginia Tech
@SonsofSatVT
OL Montavious Cunningham on his improvement this offseason. He was named the most improved offensive player in the spring.
Huisman comes over from North Dakota State, where he says he played over 1000 snaps. Huisman brings experience and toughness to a DL room in transition after losing some key contributors. He says he's been pushed in the weight room by Kemari Copeland, and on the field by his new coach JC Price.
Sons of Saturday Virginia Tech
@SonsofSatVT
DL Kody Huisman on Coach JC Price. Says “people have been making some jokes that I look kinda like him back in the day, but there’s nothing wrong with that.”🤣
Camp is ramping up and we are inching ever closer to that monumental week one contest in the ATL. Make sure you get your tickets to join the Sons for an awesome party on Saturday featuring Coach Foster. We'll be back out at practice next week, so stay tuned for more from the notebook!
Sons of Saturday Virginia Tech
@SonsofSatVT
Thrilled to partner up with Spaulding Equipment, @coachfostervt, and the Lunch Pail Defense Foundation for Saturday in the South! 🍻 Bar tab from 3–6 PM 🎸 Live music from 6–7:30 PM 🏈 30+ TVs 🐐 Special guests all night 🎟️ Get your tickets today! parktavern.com/event/saturday… http
The injury bug bites the Hokies
VT has been in full pads for a week now, and at this point in camp its common to see some knicks and bruises rack up. Pry gave us some updates on the mostly minor injuries:
- RB Braydon Bennett has a "little knee bruise, nothing serious."
- RB Terion Stewart tweaked something during practice, but Pry again doesn't think its anything serious. He started practice, left after he tweaked something, then came back out to practice.
- OL Brody Meadows was in a boot today, but Pry hopes that's short term (they put everyone in boot).
- WR Cam Seldon is also dealing with a minor injury, was in pads but off to the side during practice
- Pry says WR Chanz Wiggins' injry has "got the chance to be a little bit longer."
The big boys get some love
After practice, we got to speak to OL Montavious Cunningham and DL Kody Huisman, who transfers in from North Dakota State.
Cunningham was touted for his athleticism after transferring in from Georgia State last offseason, but struggled to see the field because "he was thinking too much," according to Coach Pry. Pry also credits new OL Coach Matt Moore with his development. Cunningham is now competing for a starting role in 2025.
