Brent Pry describes the importance of so many players deciding to return for 2024 season

Virginia Tech head coach Brent Pry has been doing an excellent job at one of the new and most underrated aspects of the college football offseason. Re-recruiting his own players.

With the transfer portal and a potential career in the NFL tempting many players across the country, Pry has retained some of his best players for the 2024 season, with several impact players revealing their return to Blacksburg via social media.

In a recent press conference, Pry was asked about the retention of his players and what has been the key to getting them to stay with the program as his second season with the Hokies nears the home stretch.

“We meet with each of those guys and their families and just discuss the options they have, give them as much information as we can,” Pry said. “Draft stock, strengths and weaknesses, salary and signing bonus information round by round so that they’re truly informed and can make an educated decision about their future.”

The NFL was a strong possibility for All-American cornerback Dorian Strong, but he returns for the 2024 season along with the corner who plays opposite of him Mansoor Delane, who also announced his return the day after Strong.

The Hokies also return their four top wide receivers, who announced their comeback for next season in a joint post on social media.

“There were guys that were potentially transfer candidates, there were guys that ready to go to the NFL, there was actually a couple guys ready to hang it up that have decided to continue to play, take advantage of their COVID year,” Pry explained. “So again, I think it speaks for the culture and these guys believe they can be developed here and continue to get better and improve and strengthen their stock and have a great experience.”

Pry’s significant playmakers returning to Blacksburg, especially in today’s college football landscape, is a great sign for the program in just his second season as the Hokies head coach. He improved the team’s record from 3-8 with just one conference win in his year one to a 6-6 finish this past season, boasting five ACC victories and an upcoming appearance in the Military Bowl against Tulane.

It’s clear that Virginia Tech’s players are bought into the culture and vision Pry has established in his short time with the program, and it will definitely be interesting to see if his core of returning players can help elevate the program to new heights.

The Military Bowl presented by GoBowling.com kicks off on December 27 at 2:00 p.m. ET in a game airing on ESPN and ESPN+.