One area that Virginia Tech football coach Brent Pry and his staff addressed in the transfer portal was the defensive line. In addition to making some key additions, the Hokies were able to retain and bring back some talent from their 2023 roster.

Over the past two months, the Hokies have improved their defensive line and become “Sacksburg” with their ability to get to the quarterback and get sacks. No one got to the quarterback more often than him. Antwaun Powell-Ryland finished the game with 9.5 sacks, a team-high, and he was one of several Virginia Tech players who announced their return for 2024.

With Powell-Ryland and other key players returning with the new additions from the transfer portal, the Hokies’ defensive line has the opportunity to do something special this season.

The Hokies defensive line returns Josh Fuga and a talented Cole Nelson from last season, who finished the season with 27 tackles and 4.5 sacks. Virginia Tech needed to fill tackle positions and add depth. First, they brought in Kemari Copeland, who came over from Iowa Western Community College and could be one of the more secretive signings this offseason. Former Duke star Aeneas Peebles, as well as Kelvin Gilliam from Oklahoma and Khurtiss Perry from Alabama are other key additions.

Peebles will start at a tackle position and one problem opposing teams will face will be which player to focus on in terms of blocking schemes. If they focus on Powell-Ryland, that could open up new opportunities for Peebles, Nelson and everyone else out there, decisions opposing teams will face on a weekly basis.

A key factor in the season will be the Hokies’ defense. They have a chance to become one of the best defenses in the conference, and if they can do that, they could be a surprise team in 2024.