The Virginia Tech Hokies lost their top two defensive players to graduation when defensive end Antwaun Powell-Ryland and defensive tackle Aeneas Peebles’ eligibility expired. APR and Peebles were both All-ACC selections and third-team All-Americans in 2024.
It’s difficult to replace those types of players, but the transfer portal offers hope. Two years ago, the Hokies signed Powell-Ryland after three years at Florida, and last offseason, they added Peebles from Duke.
Since the transfer portal opened last month, Virginia Tech has been busy, especially recently. However, there has been only one addition to the defensive line: 6-foot-8, 260-pound defensive lineman Jahzari Priester.