Brent Pry singles out depth as the aspect he likes in Virginia Tech linebackers

It’s been a disappointing past five seasons for the Virginia Tech Hokies, which have been held under eight wins in every season since 2019. Its defense has not been the deciding factor of the decline, however, as it ranked sixth in the ACC in yards allowed per game (363 YPG) and third in points allowed per game (22.8) last season.

This season, Virginia Tech returns its two leading tacklers from last season in linebackers Jaden Keller and Caleb Woodson. Head coach Brent Pry discussed the depth of the linebacker core this week at a media opportunity.

“I like our depth,” Pry said. “Those guys give us an opportunity to be a really good and athletic group that can run and move. They’re swimming a little bit. They’re picking it up in the classroom and they got out here with live bullets and I didn’t notice them like I noticed them in workouts and drills. But they’ll come.”

After firing former defensive coordinator Chris Marve this offseason, Pry and the Hokies brought on former Arizona Cardinals linebackers coach Sam Siefkes as their new defensive coordinator. Pry discussed his relationship with Siefkes (along with new offensive coordinator Philip Montgomery) on Tuesday.

“I’m very pleased with Phil [Montgomery] and Sam [Siefkes],” Pry said. “Those guys have done a tremendous job because it’s not easy to come in new. Both of those guys came in with some fresh ideas and some structure changes with a staff that was pretty much already in place. You’ve got to coach the coaches before you can even dive into the players.”

“They’ve both done a tremendous job of that. With the support from [Athletic Director] Whit [Babcock], we’ve been able to bring some additional assistance on board on each side of the ball to help us move forward and help those guys reinforce some new techniques and schemes. It’s going very well. My relationship with those guys, I hope they would say, is very good.”

The addition of Siefkes, who has coached high-end linebackers such as Danielle Hunter, Jordan Hicks and Eric Kendricks, should help develop the Hokie linebacker core in a massive way. Virginia Tech fans are certainly hoping so, at least.

“Sam and I are defensive guys. He’s very accepting of some evaluations and observations that I have and it’s been good with those guys.”

The Hokies open their 2025 schedule on Aug. 31 in a clash with South Carolina in the Aflac Kickoff Game in Atlanta. Kick-off is scheduled for 3:00 PM on ESPN.