It was a big day in Blacksburg, as Virginia Tech wrapped up spring practice today with their spring game. After the game was finished, Hokies head coach Brent Pry spoke with the media and here is everything that he had to say.
“Great to have some folks in the stands. I know the players appreciate it. It was good to get some game operation the first quarter with two o ‘clock and the full crew out there. It was good work. Now, unfortunately, Kyron or Pop, if either one was available, but it was good work for those young boys. I’m looking out there and A .J., and those guys should still be in high school. They’re out there trying to run the show, so. But there were some good things, they had about 90 clips, 90 clips, so it came out of it and helped me the most with.”
” Yeah, I think so. You know, you’d like to have had both your core packs for the full belt. We’ve got a couple of young guys that weren’t able to participate. Adams, Overton, and some other guys. But for the guys that were practicing, I thought we got really good. There’s still things that we have to put in that model if I’ve ever come out of spring when we didn’t. But we had a fair amount of new learning on both sides of the ball. We made a pretty good headway there. We found some guys that developed, they turned the corner. We weren’t sure if they could help us or not in the fall when it looks like they can. So the evaluation piece learned some new things. I thought the competition was really good. I thought the guys competed. We didn’t have to problem. I think the coaches, the new staff, understanding how we do things, how we operate day in day out. That’s not an easy transition and I thought we did a nice job day in day out.”
“Kyron had his procedure on Wednesday. Went well. Pop has a soft tissue injury. He did it on Tuesday. We were hoping he’d be able to go today. It wasn’t well enough. If it had been a true game, we would have dressed out and given him a real shot. I didn’t want to set him back.”
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Yeah, it’s a big weekend here in Blacksburg. I love that. Remember remembrance run was this morning. As you mentioned, the other sports and their contests, I thought despite the weather, we had a good turnout. The town is, is bustling. There’s a lot going on. It’s just it’s a good weekend for Hokies to be back in black. I think our players appreciate that. We had a bunch of recruits here. Their families got guys on official visits. So all that, all that support back”
” I think he’s making progress offensively as a tight end but we work special teams each and every practice and he just he’s shot most practices whether it was technique effort he’s earning self playing time on special teams he has a minor injury, again he wasn’t cleared he wanted to but just erring on the side of caution, just didn’t make sense to play”
“Yeah, I’ll tell you, I thought we ran the ball well today also. About the offensive line, did a good job, the backs hit it. We got to run lower. We got to put our pads down. Now that Hawkins did it one time on a short yardage situation. Had to do more of that. Bennett runs up right and he finds a way to kind of snake through there and he’s in positive yards. And I think all three of those quarterbacks that played can run. That’s it. So it was a good day running the ball”
“Yeah, I think they all played hard. I think they all did fly, and that’s where your turnovers happen. I think, you know, it didn’t. Unfortunately for the offense, we’ve done a nice job all spring in the table. We got to do a better job protecting the football. And honestly, I think those were both affordable today. And that’s what happens. You turn the ball over a couple times and all of a sudden you’re in a hole. So I did think the offense kind of clawed back slowly, but surely had a chance to make it a game again. But I thought the defense played hard to make some things happen.”
” I thought the offensive line, if I had to name a most improved group, Could be those guys, but I was also very pleased with the secondary additions at safety out of transfer portal IBM and then the young corners They have really been spraying a couple of those guys surprised all three of them, I think they’re playing together. I just see more consistency, less breakdowns, they communicate very well pretty soon now. We got a chance to have a 6th to 7th, maybe an 8th guy that can play. We’re nowhere really, I think they’re doing some things right now that I haven’t seen in a while.”
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“Yeah, I’ll tell you, he made the most of his time while he was injured. He learned to play because he wasn’t in a good place. He learned technique. He studied so that when he was clear and able to play, he made the motion. He was disruptive. We obviously all know he’s very strong. He’s quick off the ball explosive. He works We obviously all know he’s very strong. He’s quick off the ball explosive. He works very hard. I’m looking forward to seeing what he does this summer and this camp. And And then Herald, I know he was working in that back, that the nickel spot made a couple of plays today. Jordan Crim was working in there. It seemed like the second team, the first couple of pass break -ups, and then the interceptions at the end.”
“All those guys, they have a maturity about it. It’s not too big. That’s what I told him after the series he had. Couple of nice tackles, BVU, it just, he doesn’t look young out there. It looks like he’s been in Lane stadium, you know, a bunch before. I think all three of those guys can help us on special teams and in some way shape or form, at some point, help us in a second.”
“I am very pleased with whats happened with Sam. Very relatable to our guys, I think our guys have taken to both of them. Both sides of the ball are very excited about what we’re doing. Obviously, as the head coach, I’ve asked guys, as we got deep into spring, how do you feel? Do you like the offense? Do you like the defense? Do you like what we’re doing? Everybody’s been excited and pleased. We’ve got a long way to go with both systems. We had some carryover, but we’ve got some new things of course but those guys are smart. They got a good plan for what they want to do, who they want to be, what they want to look like. A lot of confidence. We just got to put the work in. We need a lot of reps. We got to put the work in and also we’re halfway through our offseason. All summer and all campers.”
“Yeah, he won our MVP offensively because it seemed like each and every practice he made some type of play, especially when we need it. You know, we do a lot of competitive situations in practice and it come down to the last play and if it’s on Hayden’s back, he’s made the play. I don’t think he’s not making the entire spring. Whether it’s a catch in the end zone, making a loss, or a deep ball, whatever case. And as today, no throwing for them. Ayden’s a good athlete, a talented guy, very confident. I’m excited about the year that he can have. He’s got to stay home and keep working his butt off.”
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About the Author
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Jazmine Otey
Jazmine Otey joined the 10 News team in February 2021.
A fatal collision between a motorcycle and a pickup truck on Thursday evening has claimed a life and prompted a significant road closure in South Reno.
The Nevada Highway Patrol (NHP) responded to reports of the crash at approximately 5:29 p.m. on February 26. The incident occurred on northbound South Virginia Street, just north of Damonte Ranch Parkway.
According to the Nevada State Police, the rider of the motorcycle, an adult male, was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency medical personnel. The driver of the pickup truck remained on-site, though no further details regarding other injuries or the cause of the crash have been released. Northbound South Virginia Street: Completely shut down from Damonte Ranch Parkway to Bishop Manogue Drive.
Southbound South Virginia Street: Open, but expect “rubbernecking” delays as drivers pass the emergency vehicles. Officials expect the northbound lanes to remain closed until at least 11:30 p.m. as the NHP Highway Patrol Division completes their investigation.
A new effort is being led by Commonwealth Attorney Krystyn Reid, with support from Sen. Danny Diggs to help missing persons. (Ron Lach/Pexels.com)
HAMPTON ROADS— A proposed initiative known as The Guardian Network seeks to strengthen coordination and public access to verified information when children, seniors, and vulnerable adults go missing in Virginia.
The effort is being led by Commonwealth Attorney Krystyn Reid, with support from Sen. Danny Diggs through a budget amendment to SB30. If the amendment passes, development would move forward through the Virginia State Police.
Reid said the idea grew from her years of public service.
“The difference between politics and public service is simple,” Reid said. “One is what you say. The other is what you do.”
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Reid began her career representing domestic violence survivors and said she witnessed firsthand how quickly families can be thrown into crisis.
“When someone does not make it home, that is a family’s worst moment,” Reid said. “The Guardian Network comes from a belief that we can strengthen coordination in those first critical hours and better protect vulnerable communities.”
The network is designed to complement existing alert systems such as AMBER, Silver, Ashanti and CODI alerts. Participation would be voluntary for both families and the public.
“It does not replace them. It reinforces them,” Reid said. “What we lack is one centralized, accessible place to see verified information. This is about coordination and clarity.”
Currently, information can be fragmented, she said, making it harder for families and communities to respond effectively.
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“Families in crisis should not have to search multiple platforms,” Reid said. “Public safety requires structure. Our response should be organized and accessible.”
The United Way of the Virginia Peninsula has expressed support for the initiative, citing its alignment with the organization’s mission to improve lives by advancing education, financial stability and health.
“Children are the highest age demographic experiencing eviction and homelessness, which creates unique vulnerabilities including separation, exploitation and trafficking,” said Charvalla West of United Way of the Virginia Peninsula. “Seniors face increasing isolation, housing instability and caregiver strain in what many describe as the ‘Silver Tsunami’ of a rapidly aging population.”
She said the organization supports The Guardian Network because it strengthens coordination during the most critical moments when vulnerable individuals go missing.
“The Guardian Network aligns directly with our work to stabilize families and protect vulnerable communities,” West said. “When vulnerabilities are reduced, safety increases.”
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United Way collaborates with certified partner agencies across the Virginia Peninsula that focus on homelessness prevention, youth development, domestic violence response, aging services and housing repair. Those organizations would continue serving in their core roles, providing safe housing, trauma-informed care, mentorship, caregiver support and case management, while the network enhances coordination and awareness.
“The Guardian Network enhances coordination and awareness, while nonprofits provide the direct relational support that protects individuals before, during and after crisis events,” West said.
The concept also includes a second phase of development that would establish a standing advisory committee composed of survivors, impacted family members, nonprofit leaders, victim advocates and public safety professionals. A third phase would focus on identifying and allocating resources to support coordinated response efforts in collaboration with law enforcement, including ensuring necessary logistical supplies are available during active situations.
The immediate focus is Virginia. If successful, supporters say the model could be scalable to other states seeking to strengthen coordination in missing-person cases.
Reid said the goal is clear.
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“A stronger safety net. Better coordination. And helping bring loved ones home,” she said. “Everyone deserves to come home.”
