When all eyes were on the Virginia Tech football team in 2024, it was largely in part due to the retention that the Hokies got on both sides of the ball. There was a lot of talent retained for a team that was expected to take the next step in the rebuild under Brent Pry.
The next step was never taken, and a team that was once seen as a dark horse for the 12-team College Football Playoff struggled to finish 6-6 and needed to win on Thanksgiving Weekend just to become bowl-eligible. After that game, the Hokies had a mass exodus out of Blacksburg through the Transfer Portal.