Notre Dame RB Chris Tyree Ready for Blacksburg Return

Chris Tyree was in Blacksburg in 2018 to see Dexter Williams go 97 yards to the house to take the heart of Virginia Tech.

Tyree chose the Irish over Alabama and Oklahoma a year and a half later, but the Virginia native hasn't forgotten about the hostile atmosphere he witnessed that night. 

"I remember the atmosphere," stated Tyree. "I remember how crazy it was. So, I'm really looking forward to being a part of it first-hand."

For some players, it might be easy to get caught up in the Hokies pregame entrance and the striped stands, but Tyree has seen and experienced it. 

"I would say it's different, just being that we're so focused on the game as players, you don't really look into it while you're playing and stuff like that," explained Tyree. "I would say as a recruit, that's really what you're looking for. You're taking everything in, looking at the atmosphere, looking at the fans, but when you're playing, you're so locked in on the game and what you have to do play in and play out. It doesn't really affect you."

The sophomore running back will likely have some extra juice in his step as Saturday night will be his first chance to play in his home state. 

"I take a lot of pride in where I'm from and knowing that I'm going back home to Virginia to play football since I haven't in a long time. That's pretty exciting."

It's only natural for Tyree to want to put on a show in front of several family members and friends, but the former Thomas Dale star doesn't feel any pressure. 

"I wouldn't say there's any pressure to it, but I understand that the people of Virginia take a lot of pride in where they're from," Tyree said. "Just being able to represent where I'm from, represent my hometown, my home state, it's an honor, honestly. That's what keeps me motivated."

The Hokies sideline is extremely familiar with Tyree as they went all in to keep the speedster home during his recruitment. 

Virginia Tech head coach Justin Fuente knows his team will be sharp if it hopes to stop Tyree. 

"First of all, getting to know Chris and his family through recruiting - just an awesome young man and an awesome family," Fuente explained. "The thing that stands out is he has elite speed. 

"They really have a dynamic one-two punch with Chris and 23 (Kyren Williams). 23 plays incredibly hard and Chris is electric. If he's got a little crease, he can take an eight-yard run and turn into 80 in the blink of an eye." 

Tyree was grateful for Fuente's words and as nothing but respect for the Hokies program. 

"I loved it," Tyree said of Virginia Tech. "I loved the atmosphere. I loved everyone on the staff. It was a family atmosphere. I was really comfortable with the staff of Virginia Tech and I was really honored to be really heavily recruited by that program. 

"I appreciate him saying that. I'm really honored for him to say that and I appreciate what he said."

Special teams are something the Virginia Tech program is known for and that also means not letting Tyree get loose on kickoff return as they saw him make the 96-yard house call against Wisconsin. 

"They're very good in all phases of special teams," stated Fuente. "It's obvious they spend time on it. Length and speed help you in special teams. They got that. You're talking about the core players - the guys covering and blocking for kick returns. 

"We've taken a lot of pride in our ability to cover kicks as well. We faced the No. 1 kick returner in the country a few weeks ago and we'll have to be up for this challenge. This challenge is the same or greater in terms of covering kicks with this unit that spends time on fundamentals and then also has the guys back there that can really take your breath away."

Tyree taking the breath away from Lane Stadium would be a welcome boost for Notre Dame as the Irish look to rebound from last weekend's loss to Cincinnati. 

"One thing learned from the game this past week was our love for each other and love for the game," said Tyree. "I think that coming out in the second half, we showed a lot of resilience, a lot of fight and just being able to build off of that for the rest of the season is what we're looking forward to."