{
  "id": 4340360,
  "title": "Virginia Tech football: Hokies are one of the ‘heaviest’ teams in 2026",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/30/virginia-tech-football-hokies-are-one-of-the-heaviest-teams-in-2026",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-30T03:59:29.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/virginia-tech-football-hokies-one-035929457.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Virginia Tech Hokies football team has been identified as one of the heaviest teams in the 2026 season. According to a chart, they have an average roster weight that places them among the heavier squads. The Hokies' strength coach, Chuck Losey, who joined from Penn State, aims to maintain this heft in the upcoming season.\n\nPenn State has a history of producing NFL-caliber athletes, with players weighing 260 pounds running the 40-yard dash in under 4.4 seconds. While Virginia Tech's offensive and defensive linemen don't need to match these speeds, their size is still a critical aspect of their game plan.\n\nA striking statistic is that 30 players on Virginia Tech's 2026 roster weigh 300 pounds or more. This significant number of larger players suggests that the team is built for strength and resilience, potentially giving them an edge in the running game. However, sustaining this size across the entire roster is crucial to maintaining a balanced offense and defense.\n\nThe future success of Virginia Tech's football program may depend on how effectively they maximize the benefits of their heavy roster while mitigating any potential drawbacks. The Hokies have the potential to be a formidable team in 2026, but it will come down to how well they can leverage their size and strength in game situations.",
  "summary": "Virginia Tech is much ‘beefier’ in 2026.",
  "key_points": [
    "Virginia Tech Hokies among heaviest teams in 2026.",
    "30 players on 2026 roster weigh 300+ pounds.",
    "Strength coach Chuck Losey aims to maintain roster weight."
  ],
  "editors_take": "The Hokies' roster heft, bolstered by 30 players weighing 300 pounds or more, sets them up to dominate in the running game, but also presents a challenge in maintaining balanced offense and defense.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}