The Virginia Tech Hokies will look a lot different in 2025. Brent Pry is back as head coach, but he replaced both coordinators this offseason. Veteran Phillip Montgomery is the new offensive coordinator, while rising young NFL coaching star Sam Siefkes is the new defensive coordinator.
On the field, Tech returned more starters than almost anyone last season. Hopes were high, but unfortunately, the Hokies finished with a 6-6 record. That’s hardly what anyone, from players, coaches, to fans, had in mind
ahead of 2024. So, with players like Bhayshul Tuten, Jaylin Lane, Da’Quan Felton, Stephen Gosnell, Xavier Chaplin, Mansoor Delane, Antwaun Powell-Ryland, Dorian Strong and Aeneas Peebles gone, Pry and his reassembled staff must determine which players will start — and where — before opening the season in Atlanta against Shane Beamer and South Carolina.
Who are some players that could step up this fall? Matt Zenitz of 247Sports recently previewed the upcoming season, naming 20 ACC players to watch this fall. He named three Hokies.
- Senior OL Montavious Cunningham
- Junior WR Ayden Greene
- Senior RB Marcellous Hawkins
Let’s start with Cunningham. He appears to have one of the guard positions locked up. He struggled in his first season with the Hokies after coming over from Georgia State. Perhaps things didn’t click with the previous offensive coaching staff. Enter new OL coach Matt Moore. Cunningham had a phenomenal offseason and is clearly one of VT’s top five linemen for 2025. The 6-foot-4, 320-pounder appears to be one who benefited most from shaking up the staff.
Greene patiently waited his time behind Tech’s star wideouts, making plays when called upon, and is ready to be the WR1. Nothing about Greene stands out physically, but he just does everything right. He has solid size (6-foot-2, 190) and speed, great hands, smooth route runner and is a willing blocker. Coaches love Greene for good reason. If quarterback Kyron Drones can stay healthy, Greene could have an All-ACC year in Montgomery’s high-octane offense.
Hawkins was one of three transfer backs the Hokies added this season. Tech likes incumbent backs, Jeremiah Coney and Tyler Mason, but wanted to add experience to the backfield. All three transfers could see significant time, but there is real intrigue surrounding Hawkins, who rushed for 1,000 yards two years ago. Injuries cost Hawkins most of last season. Hawkins has two years of eligibility remaining.
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