When Virginia Tech football coach Brent Pry parted ways with offensive line coach Ron Crook in December, the search for a replacement began. Given the team’s recent struggles, Pry needed to make a strong hire—and it looks like he has with former West Virginia offensive line coach Matt Moore.
Moore has a significant challenge ahead. Most of last season’s offensive line is gone, but considering the inconsistent play over the past two years, that might not be a bad thing. With several players exhausting their eligibility or entering the transfer portal, Moore now has the task of rebuilding the unit from the ground up.
His impact is already being felt in Blacksburg, as three of his former West Virginia linemen—Tomas Rimac, Kyle Altuner, and Lucas Austin—have transferred to Virginia Tech through the portal. That’s a strong starting point.
Over the next few months, Moore will be focused on assembling a line capable of protecting quarterbacks Kyron Drones and Pop Watson during spring practices and the spring game. At the same time, he faces a crucial recruiting period, with multiple Class of 2026 prospects scheduling visits.
One of the biggest names is Darius Gray from Richmond, a 6-foot-3, 285-pound offensive lineman ranked as the second-best player in Virginia for his class, according to 247Sports. Nationally, he’s the 25th-ranked prospect. Virginia Tech has done well recruiting in-state talent recently, but landing Gray won’t be easy, as powerhouse programs like Ohio State, South Carolina, Tennessee, Penn State, LSU, Oregon, Georgia, and Michigan are also in the mix.
With other offensive line recruits expected to visit during the Spring Game weekend, Gray is the top priority. Moore and Pry will need to make a strong impression if they hope to secure a key piece for Virginia Tech’s future.
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