In early 2023, Takye Heath was poised to have a rotational role as the backup slot receiver as a true freshman for the Hokies. Unfortunately for him and Virginia Tech, Heath suffered a broken wrist on his first career snap against Rutgers in an eventual 35-16 loss.
"I chose a big guy to try to go [block]. Saw the big guy, we locked eyes. "Let's do it." We got together, had a big collision, I fell back and tried to stop myself from falling. My wrist just snapped," Heath said. I knew immediately, I ran to the sideline."
At points in his career, head coach Brent Pry had concerns about whether or not Heath would be able to make it.
"That's part of it. With some of them, there's just greater challenges when they get here. It's not just in year one. Sometimes it can be in year two. It's whenever things compound," Pry expressed. "Maybe it's an injury, or a family issue, a playing time issue... maybe it's school. It's a lot, and fortunately he's stuck with it. Coach Mines has done a good job with him, Coach (Cam) Phillips.."
Since that injury, Brent Pry has gotten to watch Heath overcome his injury and silence the doubts.
