Grading transfer portal activity for Virginia Tech football coach Brent Pry

Much like the winter, the spring transfer window was a huge success for Virginia Tech football coach Brent Pry. Yes, there were needs, however, with a large amount of holdover over the winter and only losing depth pieces in the spring, he only had to add a few players to reach the 85-scholarship maximum.

Backup quarterback Dylan Wittke entered the portal just three days after the Hokies’ Spring Game, when Pry announced afterward that Pop Watson appeared as Kyron Drones’ backup after spring practice. He committed to Minnesota for the 2024 season, but Pry was able to fill that vacancy with UCLA veteran Maryland native Collin Schlee.

There have been other additions, and with Virginia Tech done with the portal, it’s time to note just how successful Pry has been.

As mentioned above, Schlee committed to Virginia Tech in late April, filling a huge hole. He will be in a camp battle with Watson to be the drone backup and this will be one of the best battles to watch this summer. We saw last season how important the QB2 spot is when Grant Wells went down with an injury in Week 2 against Purdue and the Drones took over.

In the winter, Pry added defensive linemen Aeneas Peebles of Duke, Kelvin Gilliam of Oklahoma and Kemari Copeland of Iowa Western Community College with returners Antwaun Powell-Ryland and Josh Fuga. That didn’t stop Pry from deepening that group for coordinator Chris Marve, getting a commitment from Alabama transfer Khurtiss Perry to bolster the line with talent and depth.

Then, last Saturday night, Miami transferred Kaleb Spencer, a linebacker/defensive end who played mostly special teams for the Hurricanes last season, committed to Virginia Tech and gives Marve plenty of flexibility in the secondary with some of talented returners and younger players. . How he fits in remains to be seen, but he has three years of eligibility remaining entering the 2024 campaign.

Overall, it was another successful transfer portal for Pry as he received a large amount of retention and added some very important depth pieces. Montavious Cunningham along the offensive line and Sam Brumfield at linebacker committed over the winter will also be key contributors. Overall, it was another very good portal season for Pry, despite what some people think.

Grade: B+