Brent Pry had to deal with growing expectations in the Virginia Tech football program and spoke to the media after practice.

Here’s everything Brent Pry had to say:

Question: You moved the training to these fields today. What was the reason for that?

Brent Pry: Yeah, we felt like it would be more like Nashville. Grass field outside in the sun, no shade. Just a little change of scenery, it’s a little hotter up there than down here.

Question: Do you measure how much sharper it is?

Brent Pry: We do.

Question: How much?

Brent Pry: Yes, it was 9-10 degrees warmer up there than down here.

Question: Do you plan to return there a few more times before the season starts?

Brent Pry: I think so. You know, it has to fit the timing, the days that we can do it. The band has been nice enough to work with us; I think they’ll use our facility at some point. But it has to fit our schedule, it has to be a hot day to make it worthwhile. But I thought the kids responded really well, and the whole staff – moving our whole operation there – is not easy, and I thought it was worth it today.

Question: Was that the first day you did that?

Brent Pry: This is the first day we’ve done this, yes, sir.

Question: And is the change of scenery just nice?

Brent Pry: Yeah, it definitely is. I think when the guys got up there they were a little bit more excited because it was something different.

Question: How far along are you getting in preparation for the band ball? I know it’s still over two weeks until the game, and obviously things like that, you know, it seems like you’re starting to do at least little things to prepare.

Brent Pry: Yeah, you know, we try to think ahead and make sure we make good decisions. You can’t wait until the last minute, so we’re going to get used to the heat and do the things we can do to best prepare our team. I think the other aspect is, players don’t always know it, but there are certain elements on offense or defense or even specific team structure that require a little more attention. So you start working on that a little earlier in camp than you might do with basic drills to make sure you get some extra reps.

Question: We saw an O-line up there: Ghannam at left guard, Braelin at center and Kaden at right guard. Is that a lineup or look you’ve been considering lately?

Brent Pry: Yeah, I think we’re still looking at some options. We’re still in a mini-camp that allows us to do that. You know, Layth… we’ve talked about him. He’s getting better and better. He had a setback with a little injury; he missed a couple days, so we would have done it sooner. But, you know, Bob’s fighting his ass off, Brody’s fighting his ass off, Brody plays guard and tackle, you know, Kaden plays center and guard, and we know he’s started at guard before. And, you know, Braelin is our backup center, and the more experience he can get there… we’re still figuring out what our best lineup is really going to look like. What are the best five that we can put together that work best together?

Question: Is Ghannam’s profile better as a guard considering what you gained with Lynch, who looked about Chaplin’s size and has about the same build?

Brent Pry: Yes, I think so too. I think Layth is a real swingman because he is so athletic. But his body type is more suited to being a guard.

Question: Do you feel like you’re one step closer to rotating your linebackers?

Brent Pry: Yeah, I mean, it’s a challenge. I mean, you know, from Keli to JK to Sam to JMac. He had a good day today, I thought. You know, Caleb Woodson is playing in there. That’s a good problem to have. I mean, it’s a competitive group and they all want to compete in the first group, but they also know that at least four of those guys are going to play a lot of football.

Question: You had Keli with Will before. I think we saw him out there with Star today. Do you think there’s a better place for him?

Brent Pry: Yeah, I think he’s really talented in both areas. He’s got a good feel for Will; he’s learning the star position right now. But his length and reach out there… I’ve had a couple guys like him – you wouldn’t think they’d fit in well out there, but, you know, Keli is athletic, he’s smart, plays really hard and he’s got great reach. So, you know, I think we’ve talked about this again… we’re always going to train our linebackers to learn two positions for the most part, and Keli is certainly capable of doing that.

Question: What does it mean to now have one of the best linebackers on the team with Xavier Adibi?

Brent Pry: Oh, we’re so lucky. The combination of Chris and Xavier, you know, working with those guys – we’re just lucky. You know, Xavier brings a lot of experience. I mean, he’s not a rookie coach; this guy has been around for a while, he’s coached a lot of football and he’s definitely played at the highest level and been very successful. So, the combination of those guys, especially with the new rules that allow Coach Adibi to do more and have a bigger impact, you know, that’s good for us.

Question: Will you name a second quarterback at some point?

Brent Pry: Yes, we will.

Question: What is the fight like?

Brent Pry: It’s good. Yeah, it’s good. I think we’re excited about Collin, and then Pop comes back from a little injury, has a couple of good days, makes some good plays. Next week is going to be interesting here.

Question: Is the focus on the single quarterback position? Can you make a decision by game week?

Brent Pry: Or – I don’t know. You know, me, T-Bow and Coach Chris will talk about it. I mean, I wouldn’t – I would hope that we can make a decision beforehand. I really want to have things sorted out whether it’s linebacker, safety or backup quarterback before we go into game week. You really want to know where you stand, you want to have guys working out in the rotation and at the position they’re going to play when we go to Nashville.

Question: You mentioned the safety. Those… Phillips, Jaylen Jones, probably work for that perimeter side. What did they show today, along with the younger player Quintin Reddish, who’s got some fire there?

Brent Pry: Yeah, I think you’re talking about the top four, you know, with Stro and Mose and Jay Jones, and what young Quinton Reddish is doing. You know, they’ve got to keep going. Jaylen Jones has made great strides. He’s always been a really good cover player, but he’s tackling better. He’s also learned nickel and he’s also learned cornerback. He’s the only guy on defense right now that has three positions he can line up at.

Question: Do you think Quinton or even Josh Clark would be a prototype for that role on special teams, like Braylon, Dante and Caleb Woodson stepped in last year?

Brent Pry: Yeah, some of those guys are going to get it done. Josh is smart. He’s talented. We’re very excited about him. He has the attributes of a safety and a cornerback. Quinton is probably further along; he’s gotten more reps, real reps, with the first and second group and will certainly play for us. But all those guys, those first and second group guys, we’ve got to get more competitive on special teams. I’m not talking about our specialists; I’m not talking about our snappers. Everyone else, you know, we’ve got to improve that unit just like we have to improve anybody on our football team right now.

Question: Did Caleb Spencer join this unit and did he have a big impact?

Brent Pry: Yeah, he’s… you know, I don’t know if it’s going to have a big impact, but he’s definitely slated for some spots. He’s showing up, he’s getting more comfortable, he’s got a good attitude, he’s quick, he’s sudden and he’s tough and he’s learning it. So he’s going to help us this year in one way or another.

Question: You mentioned Bryan Chris. You’ve known him for, what, 30 years? Have you worked with him as a research associate in Buffalo since 1995? How have you seen his development from his position as a research associate to his current position?

Brent Pry: Ah, he’s developed so much. He’s had some great experiences. He’s been a playmaker, a quarterback player, a wide receiver, he’s had good coaches. He’s been like me – you get hired, you get fired, you’ve been through everything in this business. And he’s got a great family. He loves Virginia Tech, they’re a Blacksburg family, and he’s been a great addition to Coach Bowen and has really helped impact our quarterback room.

Brent Pry: All right, thanks guys.