Draft Scout Virginia Tech Player News, College Football: Virginia Tech

2024 CFB/2025-2028 NFL Draft Scout

- Draft Scout Front Page - 2025 NFL Combine - College Football Transfers - 2026-2029 - End of 2024 Season Risers - End of 2024 Season Fallers - 2025 NFL Draft Underclassmen - 2025 Senior Bowl - 2025 East-West Shrine - 2025 Hula Bowl - 2025 Tropical Bowl - 2025 HBCU Legacy Bowl Draft Scout Top 12 NFL Prospect Teams for 2025 (Based on NFL Team Preseason Scouting Grades)

- #1 Oregon (17 players in Top 350 Overall) - #2 Michigan (14) - #3 Ohio State (14) - #4 Georgia (13) - #5 Texas (11) - #6 Notre Dame (11) - #7 Penn State (10) - #8 Iowa (10) - #9 Mississippi (9) - #10 Florida State (9) - #11 Virginia Tech (9) - #12 Miami (9) - 2024-2028 CFB 5* Star Recruits - 2024-2028 FBS/FCS Team Lists/Rosters - CFB's Best Player Names By Year/Position - Draft Scout Player Directory A-Z - Players by School/College List A-Z - CFB Player News & Notes - Draft Scout Rokfin Football Channel - Draft Scout Weekly - Contact Draft Scout - Privacy Policy - Phil Steele/Draft Scout Player Rankings by Conference: -ACC- | -American Athletic- | -Big 12- | -Big Ten- | -Conference USA- | -Independent- | -Mid-American- | -Mountain West- | -Pac-12- | -SEC- | -Sun Belt-

2023 CFB/2024-2027 NFL Draft Scout

- Draft Scout Front Page - 2024 NFL Draft Tracker/Results - 2024 Pro Timing Days/Results - 2024 Pro Timing Day Risers by Position - 2024 Pro Timing Day Fallers by Position - 2024 NFL Combine - Josh Buchanan's 2024 Top 100 Small School Prospects - End of Season Risers - End of Season Fallers - 2024 NFL Draft Underclassmen - 2024 Senior Bowl - 2024 East-West Shrine - 2024 Hula Bowl - 2024 HBCU Legacy Bowl - 2023 CFB Bowl Games/Playoffs - CFB Player News & Notes 12/03 Final CFB Playoff Top 12
- #1 Michigan - #2 Washington - #3 Texas - #4 Alabama - #5 Florida State - #6 Georgia - #7 Ohio State - #8 Oregon - #9 Missouri - #10 Penn State - #11 Mississippi - #12 Oklahoma - 2023-2027 FBS/FCS Team Lists/Rosters - CFB's Best Player Names By Year/Position - Draft Scout Player Directory A-Z - Players by School/College List A-Z - Draft Scout Rokfin Football Channel - Draft Scout Weekly - Phil Steele/Draft Scout - Contact Draft Scout Player Rankings by Conference: -ACC- | -American Athletic- | -Big 12- | -Big Ten- | -Conference USA- | -Independent- | -Mid-American- | -Mountain West- | -Pac-12- | -SEC- | -Sun Belt-

NFL Draft Scout History

- 1997 Coach Bill Walsh Draft Insider (First/Early NFL Draft Scout) - 2023 NFL Draft Tracker/Results - 2023 Undrafted by Position - 2023 Pro Timing Days/Results - 2023 Pro Timing Day Risers by Position - Draft Scout Evolve: Player Rating Changes - 2023 NFL Combine - Draft Scout CFB Risers - Draft Scout CFB Fallers - 2023 NFL Draft Underclassmen - 2023-26 #1 Georgia Bulldogs - 2023-26 #3 TCU Horned Frogs - 2022-23 CFB Bowl Schedule - EA College Football Game Pushed Back to 2024 - CFB Schedule/Roster/News Links - CFB Player Injury News & Notes - CFB Injuries by Year/Position

2022 Draft Scout

- 2022 NFL Draft Tracker - 2022 Pro Timing Days/Results - 2022 Pro Timing Day Risers by Position - 2022 NFL Combine/Results - 2022 NFL Combine Risers by Position - 2022 NFL Draft Underclassmen - 2021 Draft Scout Top 100

Draft Scout by Conference

2023 Draft Scout Offense

2023 Draft Scout Defense

2022 Draft Scout Offense

2022 Draft Scout Defense

Draft Scout College Football Player News: Virginia Tech

Previous 15 Notes

Next 15 Notes

07/05/22 - Connor Blumrick, rSr/2023, Virginia Tech + More +

It's easy to understand why Virginia Tech's offensive coordinator Tyler Bowen is a bit enamored with Connor Blumrick. Bowen, who is building an offense that stresses "flexibility" and "versatility", views Blumrick as someone capable of playing just about anywhere on offense. "He brings a lot of skills to the table," Bowen said, in June. Blumrick made an impression on the staff during winter workouts with Brent Pry mentioning him as one of the most talented players on the roster.

The former quarterback moved to tight end two weeks into spring camp with the staff envisioning him getting opportunities in multiple different roles. "He really made that transition seamless," Bowen said. "...He's impressed me every step of the way with how he's handled the entire transition. He's got a chance to be a very multiple-player with how we are trying to use him on the offense. I've been excited about him." Bowen isn't the only one. Virginia Tech offensive line coach Joe Rudolph, who has experience as an offensive coordinator, said Blumrick caught his attention during spring. He described Blumrick as a player that consistently made those around him better. "We asked him to do a lot of things in the spring and you see that guys have great confidence in him," Rudolph said. "It's kind of fun." - Roanoke Times

rSr/2023

TE Connor Blumrick, Virginia Tech
News Source: Roanoke Times
Share/Comment: Here

06/25/22 - Dorian Strong, rSr/2025, Virginia Tech + More +

Virginia Tech's new coaching staff wants Dorian Strong to garner the same type of attention he did two years ago. Strong was thrown into the starting lineup as a true freshman in 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic unexpectedly reshaped Tech's secondary. He thrived in the role and capped off a productive year with his first career interception to help lock up Tech's win over the University of Virginia. The Maryland native remained one of Tech's primary corners last fall and had a productive year - he was second on the team behind Armani Chatman with six pass breakups and had 23 tackles (20 solo) in 13 games - he didn't put together the All-ACC caliber season he was hoping for.

"Oftentimes when you have early success, it's easy to get complacent, it's easy to not get into exactly what it takes to get better," Virginia Tech cornerbacks coach Derek Jones said in a recent interview. "And I think just having been a part of it a couple times in my career, when there's a coaching change, that's tough. Because guys oftentimes, especially when you're younger, become disconnected, lose that fire, lose that hunger that it takes, knowing that the guy that's coaching you is probably not going to be there." Jones reviewed film of last season when he got the job. With Strong, he saw a player making mental mistakes far too often. "If you talk to him, I think he'd tell you it was just not putting the preparation in that he did as a freshman and expecting his ability to go on," Jones said. According to Jones, none of that was a problem this spring for the third-year defender. Strong has embraced Jones' "cheetah" mentality and has shown the attention to detail needed to get back on track. "I think the sky's the limit for him," Jones said. - Roanoke Times

rSr/2025

CB Dorian Strong, Virginia Tech
News Source: Roanoke Times
Share/Comment: Here

06/06/22 - Pheldarius Payne, rSr/2024, Virginia Tech + More +

Virginia Tech coach Brent Pry reported that defensive end Pheldarius Payne enrolled ahead of summer workouts and was officially part of the roster. The former Nebraska defensive end verbally committed back in March. Payne had been on Pry's radar going back to the defender's time at Lackawanna Community College, about three hours away from Penn State's campus. The Virginia native was an impact player for Lackawanna's defense with 53 tackles, 18.5 tackles for loss and nine sacks over two seasons. "He had a shoulder injury at the time that kept us from taking him, but we would have taken him," Pry said. "He ended up at Nebraska and got his shoulder fixed, he was their third guy. He's looking for a chance to have more of an impact." - Roanoke Times

rSr/2024

DT Pheldarius Payne, Virginia Tech
News Source: Roanoke Times
Share/Comment: Here

06/06/22 - Reid Pulliam, Fr/2026, Virginia Tech + More +

Virginia Tech coach Brent Pry announced linebacker signee Reid Pulliam will not be on the team because the player is "working through some things," Pry said. "We'll see how it shakes out." A Virginia Tech spokesperson has declined to comment on the situation. Pulliam was announced as one of 12 early enrollees in January as a three-star prospect out of Life Christian Academy by the way of Texas. He was the No. 161-ranked linebacker in the class with Power Five offers from Arizona State, Duke, Houston, Indiana and Maryland. - Roanoke Times

Fr/2026

OLB Reid Pulliam, Virginia Tech
News Source: Roanoke Times
Share/Comment: Here

06/05/22 - DJ Sims, rFr/2026, Virginia Tech + More +

Virginia Tech receiver DJ Sims removed his name from the transfer portal on April 25 within hours of entering the searchable collegiate database. The Virginia Tech Hokies had eight players enter the transfer portal after spring camp, but Sims was the only one to change his mind. Tech coach Brent Pry cleared up his status on Friday. "There's a head coach's rule where you can maintain your scholarship, but you don't need to be on the roster for first year coaches," Pry said. "He's on scholarship at Virginia Tech as far as I know, but he's no longer on the football team." Sims, who was a 2021 signee out of Christchurch School in Richmond, redshirted as a true freshman last fall. The 6-foot-3, 194-pounder was a three-star recruit coming out of high school with 26 scholarship offers including a handful of power five ones (Wake Forest, Virginia and North Carolina). - Roanoke Times

rFr/2026

WR DJ Sims, Virginia Tech
News Source: Roanoke Times
Share/Comment: Here

05/19/22 - Silas Dzansi, rSr/2023, Virginia Tech + More +

Virginia Tech's new staff not signing an offensive tackle out of the transfer portal has been one of the biggest surprises of the offseason. The Hokies depth at the tackle - or lack thereof - is now one of the more pressing question marks for the fall. Tech's only scholarship players working full-time at the position this spring were Silas Dzansi and Parker Clements. Former junior college transfer Bob Schick split time at left guard and left tackle. The rest of the practice reps during camp went to walk-ons William Jones, Chris Boyd, Dimitri Georgiadis and Griffin Duggan.

Tech has avoided injuries at the position in recent years - Christian Darrisaw and Luke Tenuta missed only a handful of starts during their careers - but there's reason to worry Dzansi might not be quite as durable. Dzansi is prone to cramping, and the previous staff would often sit him for a series or two in each of his starts to keep him fresh. He was in line to be one of the starting tackles in 2019 before cramping sidelined him in the weeks leading up to the season opener against Florida State. - Roanoke Times

rSr/2023

OT Silas Dzansi, Virginia Tech
News Source: Roanoke Times
Share/Comment: Here

05/14/22 - Nick Gallo, rSr/2025, Virginia Tech + More +

Tech got an early start to life without James Mitchell after he went down with a season-ending injury in Week 2. Gallo and DeIuliis handled an expanded role well, with Gallo getting most of the opportunities in the passing game that went to Mitchell. This year will probably go the same way. Tech's new staff really likes what Gallo brings to the table and he took home the offense's most improved player award for the spring. He had 14 catches for 130 yards last year - it was his second straight season with double-digit receptions - and fans should expect to see those numbers go up this fall. DeIuliis coming back for a sixth season gives the Hokies time to develop a tight end room that now features three true freshmen. - Richmond Times-Dispatch

rSr/2025

TE Nick Gallo, Virginia Tech
News Source: Richmond Times-Dispatch
Share/Comment: Here

05/07/22 - Nadir Thompson, rSr/2023, Virginia Tech + More +

Virginia Tech defensive back Nadir Thompson announced Thursday he was entering the transfer portal. Thompson played in 27 games over his four years with the Hokies. His lone career start came in a 38-31 win over Duke in 2020 when much of the secondary was sidelined with COVID-19. He had nine career tackles (eight solo) and a forced fumble. "First, I'll start by saying thank you to the current staff at Virginia Tech and the past staff for giving me the opportunity to further my education and football endeavors," Thompson tweeted. "Second, I would like to thank my friends and family who supported me along my journey here at Virginia Tech. With that being said, I will be entering the transfer portal with three years of eligibility left." - Roanoke Times

rSr/2023

CB Nadir Thompson, Virginia Tech
News Source: Roanoke Times
Share/Comment: Here

05/05/22 - Grant Wells, rSr/2024, Virginia Tech + More +

Poised for a 2022 standout season: QB Grant Wells is a Marshall transfer in a position battle with South Carolina transfer Jason Brown. Wells threw for 178 yards and two touchdowns in the spring game. First-year coach Brent Pry said the competition will continue in fall camp. - AP College Football

rSr/2024

QB Grant Wells, Virginia Tech
News Source: AP College Football
Share/Comment: Here

04/30/22 - DJ Sims, rFr/2026, Virginia Tech + More +

Virginia Tech running back Marco Lee and defensive back Da'Shawn Elder entered the transfer portal, according to sources with knowledge of the situation. Wide receiver DJ Sims entered the transfer portal as well, but withdrew his name a couple hours later, according to On3 sports reporter Matt Zenitz. The departures come as new coach Brent Pry is having one-on-one meetings with the roster coming out of spring camp. Tech had two players - tight end Jared Gibble and running back Jordan Brunson - enter the transfer portal last week. The latest departures leave the Hokies with 85 projected scholarship players for the fall, but that number doesn't include Nebraska transfer defensive lineman Pheldarius Payne, a verbal commitment that hasn't been officially announced by the school.

Lee was the only player in the latest group to appear in any games. The 5-foot-11, 227-pounder signed out of Coffeyville Community College (by the way of Hardaway High School in Georgia) in the 2020 signing class. He had five career carries for 28 yards and had one kickoff return for 31 yards. Lee's carries came at the end of blowout losses (the Pinstripe Bowl in 2021 and a 45-10 loss to Clemson in 2020). He was one of three running backs on the roster who didn't get a carry during the spring game. - Roanoke Times

rFr/2026

WR DJ Sims, Virginia Tech
News Source: Roanoke Times
Share/Comment: Here

04/29/22 - Josh Fuga, rSr/2025, Virginia Tech + More +

Josh Fuga was one of the Virginia Tech Hokies primary backups at defensive tackle last season and moved into a starting role after Mario Kendricks went down with a shoulder injury. He finished the season with 21 tackles (five solo) with one tackle for a loss. He was one of the final additions to Tech's 2019 signing day class - he verbally committed just days before early signing day - as a three-star defensive lineman out of Freedom High School in Woodbridge. His other Power Five offers were from Virginia, Wake Forest, Marshall, Temple and Old Dominion.

Fuga spent the entire spring working on the first-team defense alongside Norell Pollard. He will be in the mix for the starting job this fall when Kendricks is fully cleared to return from his shoulder injury. In the spring game, Fuga helped the Maroon Team pick up a 26-10 win over the White Team. The Maroon Team got a strong effort up front from the defensive line with the group combining for three sacks and five tackles for loss. The defensive line was split up evenly between the two rosters. - Roanoke Times

rSr/2025

DT Josh Fuga, Virginia Tech
News Source: Roanoke Times
Share/Comment: Here

04/21/22 - Grant Wells, rSr/2024, Virginia Tech + More +

Virginia Tech quarterback Grant Wells did his best to end the team's quarterback competition on Saturday. The Marshall transfer let it fly as the Maroon Team's starter to give his team a 17-0 lead in a shortened 12 minute first quarter. He was 8 of 13 for 167 yards with completions to six different teammates, and three of those went for more than 25 yards. Wells is competing with South Carolina transfer Jason Brown, who started for the White Team, and both of them played the entire first half wearing orange non-contact jerseys. While Pry declined to officially name a starter for the fall after the game, he didn't play down the fact that Wells and the Maroon Team dominated the first half. "I thought Grant played awfully well today," Pry said. - Roanoke Times

rSr/2024

QB Grant Wells, Virginia Tech
News Source: Roanoke Times
Share/Comment: Here

02/28/22 - Ben Bell, rSr/2026, Virginia Tech + More +

2021 CONFERENCE USA ALL-FRESHMAN TEAM (COACHES): DE Ben Bell, Louisiana Tech,...Bell earned a spot on the all-rookie team after recording 27 tackles on the season, including 6.0 TF for minus 19 yards. He recorded 3.5 sacks on the season and two quarterback hurries and two forced fumbles. Bell recorded a career-high six tackles in a win over Southeastern Louisiana and five against Mississippi State. - Louisiana Tech Football

rSr/2026

DE Ben Bell, Virginia Tech
News Source: Louisiana Tech Football
Share/Comment: Here

02/28/22 - Stone Snyder, rSr/2024, Virginia Tech + More +

2021 ALL-SOUTHERN CONFERENCE FIRST TEAM (COACHES): LB Stone Snyder, Jr., VMI,...Led the Southern Conference in tackles for the second straight season averaging 10.9 per game...had 49 solos and 71 assists for 120 total tackles…posted double-digit tackles in six games in 2021 giving him 12 for his career...led the team in TFL (11 for 36 yards), sacks (4), quarterback hurries (5) and fumble recoveries with (3)...named SoCon defensive player of the week Sept. 27 after a season-best 19 tackles...named to the 2021 Buck Buchanan Top 25 Watch list for the second straight year. - Virginia Military Institute Football

rSr/2024

ILB Stone Snyder, Virginia Tech
News Source: Virginia Military Institute Football
Share/Comment: Here

01/03/22 - Grant Wells, rSr/2024, Virginia Tech + More +

Marshall quarterback Grant Wells said he is transferring. The two-year starter announced his decision Monday on Twitter. Wells completed 66% of his passes for 3,532 yards with 16 touchdowns and 13 interceptions this season. Marshall went 7-6, losing to Louisiana-Lafayette in the New Orleans Bowl. A year ago Wells led Marshall to a berth in the Conference USA championship game. Wells attended George Washington High School in Charleston. "It has been a tremendous honor to be Marshall's quarterback for these last two years," Wells said. "I've made memories that will last a lifetime." - AP College Football

rSr/2024