We’ve reached the midpoint of Boston College’s 2024 schedule, facing another “short” week opponent for the second consecutive week. Following their traditional mid-October bye, Boston College will travel to Blacksburg, Virginia, to take on the Virginia Tech Hokies. Lane Stadium has proven challenging for the Eagles, who haven’t secured a victory there since 2018, suffering demoralizing losses in their recent visits.
Virginia Tech, much like Boston College, experienced a roller coaster season last year. Starting 2-4, they rallied to finish 5-2, culminating in a Military Bowl triumph under quarterback Kyron Drones. Heading into 2024, the Hokies aim to consolidate their gains under new leadership, retaining nearly all starters and coaching staff. Offensive coordinator Tyler Bowen, alongside a cohesive coaching team, is expected to bolster offensive consistency, particularly with Drones now firmly established as their starting quarterback.
Bhayshul Tuten emerges as a standout in Virginia Tech’s backfield, complemented by a robust receiving corps featuring returnees and seasoned additions. Depth across positions like receiver and running back promises to fortify the Hokies against potential injuries, showcasing the team’s depth and versatility heading into the upcoming season.
Virginia Tech’s tight end group presents an intriguing dynamic for the upcoming season, with changes and familiar faces shaping the roster. While Dae’Quan Wright departed for Mississippi via the transfer portal, graduate student Nick Gallo returns after missing the entirety of 2023 due to injury. Gallo, a seasoned blocker with 26 starts since 2019, brings experience and reliability to the Hokies’ offense. Benji Gosnell, who served as TE2 last season and happens to be Stephen Gosnell’s younger brother, is expected to see an expanded role alongside Gallo, likely filling the “Y” tight end position. Additionally, Harrison Saint Germain, who gained valuable experience as a redshirt freshman last year, is poised for increased playing time.
On the offensive line, Virginia Tech maintains continuity with all five starters returning, bolstered by depth from experienced backups. Key players like Xavier Chaplin, Kaden Moore, Bob Schick, and Parker Clements anchored their positions throughout last season, with Montavious Cunningham joining from Georgia State to potentially challenge for a starting role. This group’s cohesion and depth provide a solid foundation despite not being the most flashy in the conference.
Regarding offensive strategy, expect minimal schematic changes under coordinator Tyler Bowen’s guidance. Bowen’s roots from Penn State and Fordham typically emphasize RPOs, yet he has diversified Virginia Tech’s playbook to suit his personnel. The Hokies predominantly operate from the shotgun and utilize 11 personnel extensively, often incorporating motion to enhance their offensive dynamics. As they look to build on last season’s progress, Bowen’s adaptable approach could further expand the playbook to maximize the team’s veteran roster.
Virginia Tech’s offensive evolution last year showcased a traditional spread approach, heavily leaning on formations like the 2×2 and 3×1 trips sets. Despite their consistency with 11 personnel, Bowen introduced more diverse formations as the season progressed, adapting to game situations and opponents. Notably, their passing game emphasizes quick, short passes and occasional deep shots down the sidelines, reflecting a strategic balance tailored to quarterback Kyron Drones’ strengths.
In the rushing game, Virginia Tech employs a multifaceted approach, utilizing Inside Zone and Toss plays frequently, often incorporating RPO elements to keep defenses guessing. Drones’ dual-threat ability adds a dynamic dimension, reminiscent of Boston College’s use of Thomas Castellanos, where his running prowess becomes a pivotal offensive strategy.
Overall, Virginia Tech’s offensive strategy hinges on continuity, adaptability, and leveraging their experienced roster to maintain a competitive edge in the upcoming season.
Key Offensive Players to Watch
QB Kyron Drones A compelling narrative to follow in the coming seasons is the parallel careers of Thomas Castellanos and Kyron Drones. Both transferred to ACC schools, initially served as backups, then swiftly ascended to starting roles, injecting explosiveness into their teams’ offenses, particularly with their running capabilities. Drones arrived from Baylor, where his early appearances were limited to mop-up duty or filling in for injuries. Despite not securing the starting position over Grant Wells in the 2023 preseason, Drones took the reins as Virginia Tech’s starting quarterback by Week 3.
Adjusting to his new role took time for Drones. The Hokies stumbled with three losses in his first four starts, but they rebounded, winning five of the next seven games largely due to Drones’ dynamic playmaking. His athleticism, both as a designed runner and extending plays as a passer, added a new dimension compared to his predecessor. Drones possesses a strong arm for deep passes and demonstrated efficiency in attacking the intermediate passing game, although his development as a pocket passer remains a work in progress. With minimal changes to Virginia Tech’s offensive structure this offseason, Drones is poised to make significant strides in his overall game.
RB Bhayshul Tuten While not initially a headline player, Bhayshul Tuten’s decision to join Virginia Tech rather than honor his commitment to Boston College sparked intrigue about his impact on the Hokies’ offense. Tuten’s transition from North Carolina A&T proved seamless as he amassed over 1,100 scrimmage yards and 12 touchdowns in 2023, earning All-ACC recognition as a running back and all-purpose player. His versatility was further highlighted by his contributions in the return game, averaging nearly 30 yards per return and scoring two touchdowns.
However, Tuten faces critiques, notably his propensity for fumbles, a stark contrast to his clean record at NC A&T. Pass protection also emerged as a challenge, with significant improvements needed in that aspect of his game. Despite sporadic performances, Tuten’s impact in Virginia Tech’s zone schemes alongside quarterback Kyron Drones remains crucial heading into the 2024 season.
WR Ali Jennings Ali Jennings’ anticipated role for Virginia Tech in 2023 was overshadowed by injury, limiting his appearances to just two games. Yet, his potential as a versatile receiver capable of lining up across different positions remains promising. Standing at 6’2″ and showcasing agility and toughness, Jennings is expected to contribute significantly as Virginia Tech’s primary receiver this season, potentially impacting the roles of other receivers like Da’Quan Felton and Jaylin Lane.
Jennings’ route running has evolved positively, enhancing his ability to exploit the middle of the field effectively. His presence could elevate Virginia Tech’s passing game, complementing the team’s strategic use of vertical routes and short, efficient passes. With Jennings’ return to full strength, the Hokies aim to field a formidable passing attack in the upcoming campaign.
Overall, Virginia Tech’s offensive outlook for 2024 revolves around these key players’ development and contributions, each poised to play pivotal roles in shaping the team’s performance throughout the season.
Virginia Tech’s defensive ends are poised for a strong season with all primary players returning. Antwaun Powell-Ryland and Cole Nelson resume their starting roles, with Powell-Ryland standing out with 9.5 sacks (2nd in the ACC) and 14.5 tackles for loss (5th), earning him All-ACC 2nd-Team honors. Nelson contributed 4.5 sacks and 7.5 TFLs, while Keyshawn Burgos and C.J. McCray provide valuable depth, each recording 3.5 sacks and TFLs. The rest of the defensive line lacks significant game experience behind this quartet.
In the linebacker corps, Virginia Tech lost Dax Hollifield and Alan Tisdale to graduation, leaving Keli Lawson as the lone returning starter. Sam Brumfield, a transfer from Middle Tennessee State and former All-CUSA 2nd-Team selection, is set to play a crucial role, possibly starting alongside experienced juniors Jayden McDonald and Jaden Keller. The competition for starting spots is open, particularly at weak-side linebacker (WLB).
The Hokies’ secondary remains a defensive stronghold with all five starters returning. Dorian Strong and Mansoor Delane anchor the cornerback spots, with Strong’s standout performance earning him All-ACC 3rd-Team honors. Derrick Canteen’s departure opens opportunities for sophomores Braylon Johnson and Dante Lovett to compete for the third cornerback position. Keonta Jenkins returns at Star, offering versatility in slot coverage, backed by Caleb Woodson.
Defensively, Virginia Tech employs a consistent 4-2-5 formation under Brent Pry’s defensive philosophy, heavily influenced by Bud Foster. The scheme prioritizes pass defense, utilizing Nickel formations extensively while employing hybrid players like Jenkins to bolster coverage. Despite vulnerabilities to run-heavy offenses due to lighter defensive boxes, the Hokies excel in positioning against the run but occasionally miss key tackles that lead to explosive plays.
Upfront, Virginia Tech favors Even fronts with slight adjustments based on offensive formations, often shading defensive tackles to disrupt run lanes. Coverage strategies include a mix of Cover 3, Cover 4, and rotating schemes, leveraging experienced secondary players to execute complex coverages effectively.
Overall, Virginia Tech’s defense enters the 2024 season with a blend of experience and new talent, poised to maintain its status as a formidable unit within the ACC.
The Hokies typically deploy their cornerbacks under Field-Boundary rules, assigning Mansoor Delane to the Field side and Dorian Strong to the Boundary side. Delane, operating in the wider field area, saw more varied usage across the defense, while Strong predominantly lined up as an outside cornerback, as noted by PFF, with 93% of his snaps in this role. However, their positioning could vary based on matchups, occasionally shadowing specific receivers or staying fixed on one side of the field.
Virginia Tech’s defensive approach includes a surprising propensity for blitzing. While their overall blitz rate averages slightly above 28.2%, a few games with notably lower blitz frequencies pull down this figure. Excluding these outliers, their blitz rate jumps to 34.1%, ranking higher nationally. Their blitz packages often involve “mugging” both linebackers in A-gap positions, creating confusion for opposing offensive lines, though they rarely send more than five rushers.
Defensive Players to Watch
DT Aeneas Peebles Virginia Tech faces the task of replacing both starting defensive tackles but boasts experienced depth. Josh Fuga is slated for one starting spot, with competition for the other among veterans like Wilfried Pene and transfers Kelvin Gilliam and Kemari Copeland. Aeneas Peebles, transferring from Duke, stands out as a front-runner. Despite limited starts at Duke, Peebles proved highly productive in 2023, leading in pressures (33) and tackles for loss (9.5), earning accolades including All-ACC Third-Team and a top Pro Football Focus ranking for interior linemen.
Peebles’ versatility and productivity, despite his undersized stature, make him a likely candidate to excel in Virginia Tech’s defensive schemes, potentially expanding his impact from A-gap to B-gap roles.
Star Keonta Jenkins Keonta Jenkins enters his third year as Virginia Tech’s Star defender, a pivotal role in Bud Foster’s defensive evolution. After transitioning from safety to Star under Brent Pry, Jenkins showcased his versatility in 2023, ranking fifth in team tackles (50) and second in tackles for loss (10). His duties emphasize coverage against tight ends and support against the run, aligning more to the offense’s strong side.
Jenkins’ role may be pivotal against teams like BC, which could exploit the Hokies’ Nickel-heavy schemes with heavier personnel groups to enhance their ground game or deploy agile receivers to challenge his coverage.
CB Dorian Strong
Dorian Strong returns for his fifth season with Virginia Tech, having started 32 games and earning All-ACC Third-Team honors in 2023. Despite missing significant playtime in 2022 due to injury, Strong rebounded impressively, maintaining a lockdown presence in the secondary. He allowed only nine receptions on 33 targets and boasted a top-tier passer rating (11.8) when targeted, among the best in FBS for defensive backs with substantial playing time.
Strong’s proficiency and ability to limit opposing receivers, as showcased in his interceptions against BC, underscore his crucial role in Virginia Tech’s defensive strategy. His proven ability to neutralize top receivers like Jerand Bradley will likely influence opposing offenses’ game plans against the Hokies.
BEATABILITY INDEX
Following last year’s one-sided defeat, it’s difficult to envision Boston College significantly improving their competitiveness in this year’s matchup. Virginia Tech retains the majority of their starters, including key players returning from injury. Similar to BC, much of their season’s success hinges on the development and performance of their quarterback. While the final score of the 2023 game might suggest a lopsided outcome, the absence of key contributors like Elijah Jones and Kye Robichaux, coupled with a quickly unraveled game script, placed BC in a challenging position.
This year’s game will be hosted at Lane Stadium, historically a daunting venue for BC in recent encounters. Moreover, both teams enter the game after a bye week on a short week, giving VT an additional advantage.
BC’s strategy to stay competitive likely hinges on adverse weather conditions, which could turn the game into a messy affair favoring ball control and consistent running. Such conditions might also increase the likelihood of turnovers by Kyron Drones, which would greatly benefit BC. Nonetheless, Virginia Tech shows a positive trajectory, whereas BC’s form remains uncertain. By midseason in 2024, perspectives might change significantly. However, for BC to seriously challenge in this game, numerous external factors must align favorably for the Eagles.
Leave a Reply