When a disappointing 2024 Virginia Tech football season came to a close at 6-6 in the regular season, there was a mass exodus in the Transfer Portal from Blacksburg. It wasn't surprising to see players enter the portal, but what was eye-opening was where some of those players ended up.
Virginia Tech entered the 2024 season with a lot of hype, and there were visions of the Hokies being a dark horse for the ACC Championship Game and the new 12-team College Football Playoff. Instead, things went south with an overtime Week 1 loss at Vanderbilt, and things went up-and-down the rest of the season and ended with an all-too-familiar 6-6 record under Brent Pry.
When the portal opened last winter, several players entered, and some ended up landing in the SEC for the 2025 season. It was somewhat eye-opening to see where some of the better players ended up, and it was kind of sending a big sign. Yes, the Hokies were recruiting good players, but they were not able to win with them and then moved on to greener pastures.
Virginia Tech to SEC pipeline continued with latest commitment
During last winter's portal cycle, Virginia Tech transfers Mansoor Delane (LSU), Mose Phillips (Missouri), and Xavier Chaplin (Auburn) made the jump from Blacksburg to the SEC. This year, the first domino from Tech has landed in the SEC.
Former Virginia Tech linebacker Caleb Woodson committed to Alabama on Tuesday, marking another former Hokies starter landing in the SEC. He has one year remaining and will play a big role in the Crimson Tide's defense, but it's just another example of Virginia Tech recruiting the right kids, only to prepare them to move on to the SEC.
Now, SEC fans will tell you that the CFP runs through the conference, and this year, they have just one of the Final Four teams in Ole Miss, who just happens to be playing Miami on Thursday night. The conference is good, there's no denying that, and Ole Miss may very well win the National Championship, but the pipeline from Virginia Tech to the SEC can be frustrating for Hokies' fans. Woodson should be a good addition for Alabama and make a big impact in 2026.