2025 VT Football Notebook: Uncertainty Looms Ahead of Week 1

Week 1 is finally here! Enough talk about camp reps and indy drills, it is time for the real deal. Before we dive in, if you need a refresher on what you may have missed from Fall Camp, check out my latest podcast appearance with Billy Ray. 

On Tuesday, we had the opportunity to hear from Coach Pry, Kyron Drones, and Kelvin Gilliam as the Hokies gear up for South Carolina. The theme of the day was uncertainty, as the Hokies field an unsolidified depth chart and questions over whether one of their best defenders will be availiable for Sunday. With that, let's dive in to today's top takeaways. 

Unofficial Depth Chart

Virginia Tech provided us with the first glimpse of who will be taking the field on Sunday with an unofficial depth chart to sink our teeth into. 

Top highlights:

1. OL starting five is as expected, but in some different spots than we thought. Tomas Rimac slots in at left guard after previously working at right tackle.  Layth Ghannam plays his counterpart on the other side of the line and Montavious Cunningham will open the season at right tackle after being one of the most improved Hokies this offseason. Pry said they're still working to find where those five fit the best.
2. Tayke Heath will be your starting receiver on the inside after impressing at camp. Coach Pry said there were times coaches didn't think Heath was going to make it, but has worked his way to the top to join Donavon and Ayden Greene as the top pass catchers.
3. Backup QB and the running back room remain major question marks. Heavy use of the "OR" designation there. Overall, 24 "ORs" on the depth chart could signal the depth of the team and some active position battles coming out of camp.
4. At corner, it'll be Caleb Brown OR Dante Lovett on one side, with Thomas Williams on the other. Isaiah Brown-Murray will get the start in nickel packages after being one of my camp standouts this fall.
5. Four true freshman crack the chart: WR Snook Peterkin, DT Christian Evans, and DBs Knahlij Harrell and JoJo Crim.
6. Finally, after an open competition for kick returner this offseason, Thomas Williams and RB P.J Prioleau will start the year returning kicks. Unsurprisingly, Tucker Holloway is listed at punt returner, but we could also see WR Isaiah Spencer back there as well. 

Coach Pry Sets the Stage

• Coach Pry kicked off the presser by shouting out VT's stellar soccer teams, congratulating them on great starts to the season. Special attention was called to the men's team for upsetting third-ranked Ohio State.
• Pry also sent well wishes to the South Carolina program after defensive line coach Travian Robertson was injured
• Pry then addressed Caleb Woodson's DWI and reckless driving arrest from the weekend. Pry said Woodson's status for Sunday is unknown at this time and they are working through the legal and internal process to figure out what comes next. He said internal consequences have already been issued, with Woodson losing his captaincy. Pry did note that Woodson would have the opportunity to earn that leadership role back.
• At inside linebacker, Pry noted that they feel comfortable with the depth even if Woodson cannot go. Temple transfer Antwone Santiago appears to be the next man up at Mike.
• On the battle between Caleb Brown and Dante Lovett at corner, Pry says it is a "coin flip" and they'll get equal reps. Notes that both guys have come on later in camp.
• I asked coach about the much debated running back position. He said Terion Stewart is starting to gain some traction after spending some time in a boot during camp. Said this week will be really important for him to ensure he's ready for game time. Pry described Stewart's camp as "average" and wishes they felt a little better about where he was at. Pry says he is still excited about what Stewart brings, just questions about whether he is ready to help the Hokies win right now.
• Pry said that Stewart and Marcellous Hawkins have separated themselves from the rest of the pack. Says the group of backs after them all bring some different elements. Said there are times redshirt freshman Tyler Mason "looks like the best one," but consistency remains an issue. Pry said we'll see 3-4 backs on Sunday.

Prepping for the Gamecocks

• Pry noted the depth and experience South Carolina brings in the trenches, namely Dylan Stewart, an All-SEC Preseason pick.
• Also highlighted running back Rashul Faison, who was granted an additional season of eligibility yesterday by the NCAA.
• Says "this will be one of the better teams we have seen." Could not say enough about the challenge the Hokies face going against South Carolina. 

Clearing the Notebook

• A couple last thoughts on Coach's time at the podium. Pry says the Hokies have hammered situational football this offseason. He says they have "doubled down" on presenting situations and learning opportunities not just to the players, but to the coaches as well.
• Pry was also asked about the recent Board of Visitors meeting and the investment into the football program. Pry did not go into specifics but reacted to the positive feelings about where things are headed. 

QB1 Takes the Stand

• When asked about fellow captain Caleb Woodson, Drones said he told him "the team got his back no matter what." Says that whether Woodson is able to play or not the Hokies are on a mission to go win.
• Drones said that Tayke Heath "grew up" this offseason. Drones said the team has been waiting on Heath to become the player he could and Heath finally decided to be that player.
• Drones says the Hokies are using the mystery of a new scheme and new personnel to their advantage when preparing for the Gamecocks.
• Says he is completely comfortable with Philip Montgomery's offense and has felt confident for awhile he could execute what Montgomery wants to do. Drones said that if he had practiced the whole spring he could be about 80% confident in running the offense. Also noted that his last two coordinators were O-linemen, and that having an OC who played quarterback has made a huge difference.
• According to Drones, the focus of Montgomery's offense will be getting the ball out to play makers quickly and creating explosive plays. Says Monty trusts him to make changes at the line of scrimmage. 

Kelvin Gilliam is FIRED UP

• DT Kelvin Gilliam says this game is everything a player wants. A great opponent in a standalone spot in an NFL stadium. Gilliam said he is having trouble sleeping because e is so excited to get out and play on Sunday. He also called on Hokie nation to show out in Atlanta and to wear orange to match the Hokies recently announced uniform combo (shout out to this fantastic video btw.)

and while Gilliam said they didn't eat the Waffle House after they were done filming, he had a lot of fun suiting up and seeing the fans in the building.

• Gilliam says there "is no drop off" in the DL depth chart. 14 DL listed in what Coach Price says is his deepest group since he has been back at VT.
• Gilliam, a defensive captain, was also asked about Caleb Woodson and the Hokies preparations without one of their top defenders.

• Finally, Gilliam spoke about the challenge LaNorris Sellers presents defenses with his arm and his legs. Gilliam said the Tech DL will have to a great job of "caging" Sellers. "Cage" is a defensive line term that essentially means to contain the quarterback. It prioritizes staying in your rush lanes and not being overly aggressive going after the QB to the point that you break containment. The Hokies seem to be emphasizing the need to keep Sellers in the pocket, and trust the rest of the defense to make plays from there. 

That is all for now from the notebook, we will be back tomorrow to speak to Coach Pry, O-line coach Matt Moore, and WR Isaiah Spencer. Until then, check out the Season 2 premiere of 10 Minute Tailgate to help get your spread ready for Sunday.