The NCAA transfer portal opened one week ago, and Virginia Tech left tackle Xavier Chaplin wasted no time entering his name into the portal. Several others followed, but none were as damaging as the potential loss of a big, athletic, still-developing offensive lineman.
A few days later, three-year starting cornerback Mansoor Delane entered his name into the transfer portal. The Hokies likely anticipated losing Delane to the NFL or the portal but certainly hoped to retain Chaplin.
Those dreams ended over the last two days. One of the portal's most desired players, Chaplin chose the Auburn Tigers on Sunday, while Delane picked the LSU Tigers a day later.