In what has become a common theme with college sports, the transfer portal is becoming a big part of all the shuffling and movement every year. In football, it has become a free-for-all with comings and goings, and that was the case for Virginia Tech over the winter and spring windows.
One year after getting a slew of retention, the Hokies saw some good and impactful players hit the portal and find new homes for the 2025 season. Head coach Brent Pry and his staff tried to fill some of those open roster spots through the portal with some key additions. Let’s break down the biggest portal losses and gains for the Hokies over the winter and spring.
Virginia Tech football’s toughest transfer portal losses
Mose Phillips
One of the younger players on last year’s team who broke out in the secondary was Mose Phillips. The Tennessee native had 65 tackles, a forced fumble, an interception, and three passes defended. He was used in multiple ways by the Hokies as they brought him on some blitzes at times and he registered a sack. He is making the move to the SEC at Missouri.
Mansoor Delane
It was a struggle at times last year for Mansoor Delane in the Hokies' secondary, but he did have a knack for making some big plays. He finished with 54 tackles, seven passes defended, two forced fumbles, and four interceptions. He logged a lot of snaps the last three years and made some big plays, and despite getting beaten a few times, his loss will be tough to fill next season. Like Phillips, Delane is off the SEC, but to LSU.
Keli Lawson
Over the last couple of seasons, another player who has logged several snaps is linebacker Keli Lawson. After a tremendous 2023 season that saw him rack up 80 tackles, 41 solo, the Virginia native saw a dip in his stats in 2024 with 40 tackles and a pick. The 6-foot-6, 220-pound Lawson was able to get after the quarterback and also drop back in coverage as a versatile player. He’ll be headed to the Big 12 and Central Florida.
Braelin Moore
One of the better Hokies' offensive linemen last year was Braelin Moore. I know, that’s not saying much, but he was versatile and moved around to different spots. He started 12 games last season alongside his brother Kaden, he allowed just three sacks, one year after starting 12 games in 2023. With so much turnover along the line, his loss was big in the winter portal. He’ll be joining Delane at LSU.
Bob Schick
The one holdover from last season along the offensive line, Bob Schick, entered the portal in the spring window. Over the last two years, he has been very good, allowing just one sack. He would have been a big retention piece for new offensive line coach Matt Moore, but his late departure was a surprise. It didn’t take him long to commit to Oklahoma State once he hit the portal.
Virginia Tech football’s biggest transfer portal additions
Sherrod Covil
With major turnover in the secondary, adding depth through the portal was a must, and in the winter cycle, the Hokies picked up a commitment from a former Clemson defensive back, Sherrod Covil. The 5-foot-11, 200-pound Virginia native had 12 tackles last season for the Tigers, but the hard-hitting safety should have many more snaps for Virginia Tech in 2025 and make a bigger impact.
Cameron Seldon
A running back at Tennessee, Cameron Seldon, has made the transition to receiver for the Hokies since committing during the winter cycle and has a chance to be a good one. He impressed in the spring with some catches and his ability to go up and get the ball. Virginia Tech lost a ton of talent at the receiver position, and if Seldon can make the successful transition out there, then new offensive coordinator Philip Montgomery has a player who can be a big part of the offense.
Isaiah Spencer
Speaking of receivers, the Hokies picked up a player fans shouldn’t sleep on over the weekend in Jackson State transfer Isaiah Spencer. Making the jump from the FCS, Spencer has good speed and can be used in multiple formations on offense. Getting him in the open field with separation from his defender could open things up for quarterbacks Kyron Drones and Pop Watson.
Immanuel Hickman
Virginia Tech lost Antwaun Powell-Ryland at edge after two tremendous seasons in Blacksburg, after coming over from Florida, and they did add Ben Bell in the winter portal, but Immanuel Hickman committed on Monday night and he brings some experience that is needed from South Florida.
Terion Stewart
Replacing Bhayshul Tuten is not going to be easy for the Hokies and losing Malachi Thomas to portal didn’t help. Bowling Green running back Terion Stewart committed to Tech in the winter portal and he is coming a big season for the Falcons and expected to play a big role in Blacksburg. He rushed for 898 yards and six touchdowns last season and like Tuten, he’s a smaller back that is tough to bring down and can seperate from the defense in the open field. This has all the makings of a sneaky-good pickup.