Before arriving at Virginia Tech four years ago, Brent Pry, the current Hokies football coach, served as the defensive coordinator at Penn State under James Franklin. Throughout his coaching career, including his time with the Hokies, Pry has worked with several standout defensive linemen. This past season, one of his stars was Antwaun Powell-Ryland, who delivered an impressive performance with 16 sacks, including two games with four sacks, and three forced fumbles.
A coveted position in college football is that of a strong defensive end, and Virginia Tech has a rising star in Jaiden Bryant, a sophomore from Irmo High School in South Carolina, class of 2027. As Bryant’s recruitment gains momentum, the competition to secure him has grown tougher for Pry. Recently, South Carolina extended an offer to Bryant, marking another significant player in his recruitment.
Bryant received a scholarship offer from Virginia Tech last May, and shortly thereafter, Maryland also extended an offer. By October, Maryland became the first Big Ten school to offer Bryant, and now, with South Carolina’s offer, an SEC school is also in the mix. Coach Shane Beamer of South Carolina will certainly be a strong contender for Bryant’s commitment.
Bryant’s statistics from the previous fall underscore why he is attracting attention: he recorded 86 tackles and 15.5 sacks, playing alongside Virginia Tech’s incoming quarterback A.J. Brand, who signed during the early signing period. Beamer had also been involved with Brand, attempting to recruit him away from Virginia Tech after Brand’s commitment.
Standing at 6-foot-4 and weighing 245 pounds, Bryant is a highly sought-after defensive end, and other major programs are likely to join the recruiting battle. As such, the Hokies will need to stay actively engaged in this recruitment to have a shot at securing Bryant.
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