Virginia Tech Football: Hokies Offiicially Set Date For 2025 Spring Football Game
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One of the most important early dates for Virginia Tech Football has been set. It was announced today that the Hokies are going to host their spring football game on April 12th at 3:00 p.m.
Set your reminders!! 🗓️
— Virginia Tech Football (@HokiesFB) January 20, 2025
April 12, 3 p.m. we’ll see you there 😉
🔗 https://t.co/2ngm1IuLWa#ThisIsHome pic.twitter.com/lBqNJoxpvu
Hokie Hi Weekend will return around the spring game, with several events on campus, including the Hokies’ lacrosse team hosting Syracuse, Tech softball battling Notre Dame in a three-game series and baseball welcoming Florida State to English Field for a weekend set. More details on Hokie Hi Weekend will be announced at a later date.
The spring game is going to be the first chance for fans to see the early enrollees, including some talented freshmen and transfers. Virginia Tech has been busy in the transfer portal this offseason and they have brought in some intriguing talent on offense that could allow them to have one of the ACC's rushing attacks.
This past season did not live up to expectations, but if you watched Virginia Tech a couple of seasons ago, you know that Drones has the capability of being an elite runner. In 2023, he ran for 818 yards and five touchdowns and was one of the top dual-threats in the country. If he is healthy next season, I think there is going to be a lot of running for Drones.
Then there is the three running backs that Virginia Tech has brought in.
Terion Stewart (5'9 220 LBS) was a four-year player at Bowling Green and an All-Mac selection this past season. In four years with the Falcons, he ran for 2,359 yards and 23 touchdowns, while averaging six yards per carry. He is a tough physical running back who will fit in the Hokies system well. At Pro Football Focus, Stewart finished the 2024 season with a 78.9 offensive grade in 244 snaps, third highest on the Bowling Green offense. In 2023, PFF gave him an elite 95.3 grade on offense, including a 94.0 grade when it came to running the football. Stewart could be the bell cow running back for the Hokies next year, fitting right in next to quarterback Kyron Drones.
Braydon Bennett has spent the past five seasons with the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers and was their leading rusher this past season. In his career, Bennett has 321 carries for 1,954 yards and 24 touchdowns, while averaging 6.1 yards per carry. According to Pro Football Focus, Bennett finished with a 79.1 grade in 417 snaps. It was the second-highest grade on Coastal Carolina's offense. He finished with a 68.9 grade in 2023 in 291 snaps. His highest grade came in 2021 when he finished with a 79.5 grade in 313 snaps. The 6'2 215 LBS running back is experienced and a tough runner who will add experience to the running back room, while also being a potential starter.
Marcellous Hawkins’ only offer out of high school was to Central Missouri State, and the running back took it.
Per Central Missouri State Athletics:
”Played for head coach Carter Whitson at Putnam City High School…Co-Offensive Player of the Year, all-state honorable mention and first team all-conference in 2021…As a senior, posted 1,368 passing yards, 13 passing touchdowns, 1,248 rushing yards and 16 rushing TDs…Also played basketball and competed in track and field.”
I think it is likely you see a rotation of these three backs and either Stewart or Bennett starts. They all complement each other well and have a pathway to make an impact.
The offensivel line is going to be key in determining how effective this rushing attack is. The Hokies are losing key players such as Xavier Chaplin and Braelin Moore, but they have a new offensive line coach in former West Virginia OL coach Matt Moore and he has brought some of his former players with him in hopes of quickly getting the OL on track in Blacksburg.
Just a few days after hiring Moore, the Hokies landed one of the top offensive linemen from the transfer portal, who just so happens to have been coached by Moore at West Virginia. Tomas Rimac was the starting left guard for West Virginia this past season, but he announced that he is going to be transferring to Virginia Tech.
According to Pro Football Focus, Rimac played 937 total snaps at left guard this past season and finished with a 77.1 overall offensive grade, including a very good 86.3 run-blocking grade. He finished with a 63.4 grade in 690 snaps in 2023 and a 68.9 grade in 440 snaps in 2022. He should be a plug-and-play starter for an offensive that is returning quarterback Kyron Drones and landed Bowling Green running back Terion Stewart in the portal. While the loss of Bhayshul Tuten will be felt, Stewart, Drones, and Rimac provide the blueprint for a strong running game.
Health is always going to be key, but there is the blueprint for a strong running game for the Hokies this season. The first chance to get a glimpse of that will be in the spring.
Additional Links:
Virginia Tech 2025 Transfer Portal Profiles: Pitt LB Jordan Bass
Coastal Carolina Transfer Running Back Braydon Bennett Commits to Virginia Tech
Jackson Caudell has been covering Georgia Tech Athletics For On SI since March 2022 and the Atlanta Hawks for On SI since October 2023. Jackson is also the co-host of the Bleav in Georgia Tech podcast and he loves to bring thoughtful analysis and comprehensive coverage to everything that he does. Find him on X @jacksoncaudell
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