Hokies keeping eye on transfer portal as key players prepare to leave
BLACKSBURG — Virginia Tech hasn’t experienced a mass exodus into the transfer portal since its Commonwealth Cup victory at Virginia in late November. Five scholarship players have announced they intend to transfer, and the coaching staff is preparing for more changes over the next four weeks.
“Right now you recruit every position, because you don’t know what’s around the corner,” Hokies coach Brent Pry said Sunday evening. “There’s always surprises, there’s always curveballs that need to be hit. Our recruiting staff is working full time, vetting guys that have entered the portal and they’ve got their ears out for guys that are going to enter the portal.”
Four offensive players — tight end Dae’Quan Wright, running back Bryce Duke, wide receiver Da’Wain Lofton and reserve offensive lineman Johnny Dickson — and defensive back Derrick Canteen have announced they have entered the transfer portal since the 30-day window opened Monday.
Wright was a starter, and Lofton served as Jaylin Lane’s backup at slot receiver. Canteen has played nickelback, cornerback and safety. Lofton, Canteen and Duke contributed on special teams.
“We’ve had a couple of guys enter the portal already that were involved on teams and had roles,” Pry said.
Two walk-on wide receivers — Latrell Sutton and Luke Shields — also have entered the transfer portal. Shields appeared late in the Hokies’ Oct. 26 win over Syracuse, and Sutton’s only appearance came in 2022 at Liberty.
“There’s walk-on members of your team that are trying to make decisions about what to do,” Pry said. “Do they remain here? Do they transfer to a lower level and increase their opportunity to play? Just a lot. And I want to be there for these guys. I want to supply as much information as I can to help them make an educated decision that makes sense for them.”
Pry said he plans on having meetings with players throughout the week while he’s recruiting. Some were in person before he went out to make visits, and others will take place over FaceTime and Zoom.
There are nine scholarship players who participated in senior day ceremonies and still have eligibility remaining.
“It’s ongoing. These guys, some of them are making decisions to put their hat in the ring with the NFL. Some of them are considering transferring for more opportunity to get on the field to get what they want,” Pry said. “I’ve got a couple that are trying to decide if they hang the cleats up or do they come back.”
Defensive linemen Antwaun Powell-Ryland and Josh Fuga have announced they are returning for the 2024 season.
The staff has issued scholarship offers to 20 players who have entered the transfer portal.
The departures of Wright and Duke open up opportunities for freshmen to play in the Military Bowl against Tulane, ranked 23rd in the latest Associated Press Top 25 poll, and have the appearance not count against their eligibility.
Benji Gosnell and Harrison Saint Germain will likely have their roles increased at tight end, and freshman Zeke Wimbush could make his college debut.
More freshmen could play on special teams, which is a role Duke held in addition to being a third-string running back.
“I want to play these freshmen, and this gives us another opportunity to try to do that. And potentially fill some voids and add some depth,” Pry said. “… You get somebody that goes into the portal that was a starter on special teams and a backup on three others, and they’re looking for a different opportunity and you’ve got to replace that spot on the depth charts.”
Jennings’ status
Wide receiver Ali Jennings hasn’t played since the first quarter against Purdue in the season’s second game after undergoing surgery for a left ankle injury. He has been around the facility since the procedure and is no longer wearing a walking boot.
Pry didn’t rule out Jennings for the Military Bowl but isn’t expecting him to play.
“I’m not going to say never,” Pry said. “Ali’s a fierce competitor and he’s got a lot of determination. He’s been on the Alter G [anti-gravity treadmill] and doing some things like that. It’s probably too early to say for sure.”
Jennings is one of the nine scholarship players who participated in senior day festivities and could return for another season.
Pry said he is meeting with Jennings this week to discuss that possibility.
Pry’s 2nd visit to Annapolis
The Hokies have played inside Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium three times in the last 100 years. Twice came in the previous Military Bowl appearances in 2014 and 2018 against Cincinnati.
The third came in Pry’s first season as a graduate assistant in 1995.
That marked Tech’s last meeting with Navy.
“Very unique venue,” Pry said. “Looking forward to it.”
The Hokies won 14-0 on Oct. 7, 1995, thanks to a defense that racked up seven sacks. Cornell Brown led the charge with three sacks and four quarterback hurries.
“They had this really good quarterback,” Pry said.
Navy’s quarterback was Chris McCoy. The Hokies limited him to 1 net rushing yard on 21 carries and sacked him five times.
He totaled 3,400 rushing yards and 43 touchdowns in the 32 other games during his college career.
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