BLACKSBURG — Virginia Tech’s new coaching staff is closing out fall camp just as it started — in search of depth.
Tech coach Brent Pry reiterated what he said at media day — “If you’re talking about depth, we need to improve in every area right now” — on Saturday as the Hokies move into playoff preparation later this week.
“We don’t have enough depth,” Pry said. “As a coach, we have to be creative and make sure we’re putting out guys who can win.”
The debate over who will start at Old Dominion on Sept. 2 is largely settled. That information won’t be made public until game week, but beyond that there are plenty of question marks.
“I think there’s still a lot of discussion to be had on the second team,” Pry said. “And some of these conversations are in the two deep and the three deep. And some of these conversations are you in the two deep, can we get you out there?”
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Prim used the defense as an example.
It’s still uncertain how many backups are in the rotation around defense. The staff used Saturday’s game to find some answers, moving past veterans like Dax Holyfield and Chamari Conner and focusing on some experienced players to bolster their depth.
Relying on some true freshmen to fill key roles mid-year or summer enrollments seems increasingly likely.
Tech is loaded at offensive lineman (six) and defensive lineman (five) in the 2022 class. Some of the standouts generating buzz during camp are running back Bryce Duke, wide receiver Tucker Holloway, tight end De’Quan Wright and offensive lineman Brelin Moore.
Moore went into spring camp as a defensive tackle, but was moved to left guard before summer workouts began. His brother Kaden, who started all 13 of Tech’s games last year, is working on the opposite side of the line.
Braylin made an immediate push to play his season against Jesse Hansen.
“I think he’s going to play some,” Pry said. “I think you’re going to see Braylin in the first week. I think he’s going to play.”
Moore’s departure is a good example of what the coaching staff expects to happen at other positions.
