Hokie ClubThe 2024 regular season for the Virginia Tech football team has officially come to a close, after securing bowl eligibility and reclaiming the Commonwealth Cup with a resounding victory over in-state rival Virginia last Saturday. As the team shifts focus to their upcoming bowl matchup, let’s take a moment to celebrate the standout performers who defined this season and propelled the Hokies to success.
Rushing Yards: RB Bhayshul Tuten
Capping off an impressive 11-game season, limited to 10 games in full health, running back Bhayshul Tuten delivered a career-best performance, rushing for 1,159 yards to become Virginia Tech's top rusher. The Paulsboro, New Jersey native etched his name in Hokie history as the first player to surpass 1,000 rushing yards in a season since Khalil Herbert in 2020. Tuten hit the milestone against Duke, where he tallied 84 rushing yards and a touchdown. By achieving this benchmark, Tuten joined an elite group of just 16 other Hokies to have rushed for over 1,000 yards, making it the 20th instance in program history.
Tuten was a model of consistency, surpassing 100 rushing yards in six games while racking up 15 rushing touchdowns and two receiving scores to co-lead the ACC in total touchdowns. His season-defining moment came in a historic performance against Boston College, where he rushed for 266 yards on just 18 carries, breaking Virginia Tech’s all-time single-game rushing record and scoring four total touchdowns. Tuten’s explosive day featured an 83-yard touchdown run, a 61-yard scoring dash, and a 20-yard touchdown reception. The Hokies’ 42-21 victory was powered by Tuten’s electrifying plays, cementing his season as one of the best by a Virginia Tech running back.
Sacks: DL Antwaun Powell-Ryland
In his redshirt senior season, defensive lineman Antwaun Powell-Ryland cemented his place as one of the top pass rushers in college football. Powell-Ryland racked up an impressive 16 sacks, averaging 1.33 per game, tying for second place among FBS sack leaders. His standout campaign included two remarkable four-sack performances against Boston College and Old Dominion, a feat that broke Virginia Tech sports hall of famer Bruce Smith’s record for most career four-sack games.
Beyond his pass-rushing prowess, the redshirt senior tallied 43 total tackles, forced three fumbles, and recovered three more, making his impact felt across every facet of the game.
At 6-foot-3 and 252 pounds, Powell-Ryland’s combination of power, speed, and athleticism earned him the fitting nickname “The Mayor of Sacksburg.” His explosive burst off the line and uncanny ability to read offenses made him nearly impossible to contain, solidifying his legacy as one of the most feared defenders in Virginia Tech history.
Passing Yards: QB Kyron Drones
Despite missing three games due to injury, quarterback Kyron Drones reaffirmed his importance as a cornerstone of the Virginia Tech offense. For the second consecutive year, the redshirt junior led the Hokies in passing yards, finishing the season with 1,562 yards. Drones showcased his consistency and playmaking ability with a 60.7% completion rate and 10 passing touchdowns.
His season-defining performance came in the opener against Vanderbilt, where he lit up the field with 322 passing yards, including his longest pass of the season—a 62-yard touchdown to wide receiver Ali Jennings. Another standout moment occurred in a dominant 31-7 victory over Stanford, where the Pearland, Texas native threw for 201 yards and two touchdowns—a 9-yard strike to Stephen Gosnell and a 55-yard bomb to Da’Quan Felton—while completing 73.1% of his passes. Drones also added a rushing touchdown to cap off his exceptional outing.
Receiving Yards: WR Stephen Gosnell
Wide receiver Stephen Gosnell emerged as the leader of Virginia Tech’s receiving corps this season, finishing with 27 receptions for 497 yards. Standing tall at 6-foot-2 and weighing 198 pounds, Gosnell consistently showcased his ability to stretch the field with his size and strength, excelling at hauling in deep passes and breaking tackles for extra yards.
The North Carolina native delivered several highlight-reel moments, including three catches of 40+ yards. His season-long reception was a 49-yard grab against Marshall, with other notable big plays coming against Vanderbilt and Syracuse. Gosnell also found the end zone this year, recording a 9-yard touchdown against Standford. His knack for creating explosive plays made him a reliable target and a key contributor to the Hokies’ passing attack.
Receptions: WR Jaylin Lane
Wide receiver Jaylin Lane wrapped up his redshirt senior season as the team leader in receptions with 38, totaling 466 yards. While he finished second to Stephen Gosnell in receiving yards, Lane made his mark with two touchdowns, including the longest touchdown pass of the season—a 66-yard connection against Virginia this past weekend.
Lane also showcased his ball skills in a game against Old Dominion, where he racked up 106 yards, including a 26-yard touchdown reception. The South Carolina native’s ability to turn short passes into big gains, combined with his excellent vision downfield, made him a consistent playmaker. Lane was a key figure in offensive coordinator Tyler Bowen’s scheme, contributing not only in the passing game but also with 116 rushing yards and a 58-yard punt return touchdown against Marshall.