Going into the 2026 season, some Virginia Tech football players are primed for a breakout season. Some of the players who are primed came to Blacksburg through the Transfer Portal, while others remained during the coaching change from Brent Pry to James Franklin.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Hokies got some key retention along the defensive line with Kemari Copeland. Another player who is returning is defensive end Aycen Stevens. The 6-foot-5, 250-pounder played in all 12 games last season for Virginia Tech with 14 tackles. Under first-year defensive line coach Sean Spencer and Pry, who is back as Franklin's defensive coordinator, Hokies fans know a breakout season could be coming, so doesn't ESPN.
Aycen Stevens gets some preseason love from ESPN
Adam Rittenberg of ESPN listed 51 potential breakout candidates for the upcoming season, and Stevens was one of them. He has been impressing so much leading into the season, as he earned the Lunch Pail for his relentless approach to practice and workouts. Fans are hoping this is a sign of things to come in 2026 in a bigger role.
"He's finally turning the corner. He's the guy I hoped he'd be," Pry told ESPN. "He's got a bunch of talented guys chomping at the bit for his job, and he hasn't given it up. He's long, he's got straight-line explosiveness, he's tough, but he'd never played end. He was a linebacker when we took him. He just had to learn the position more than anything, how to bend, and how to lean into his strengths, be a power rusher and be an edge guy."
It helps Stevens that he is getting to play for Pry again, this time as a coordinator rather than a head coach. However, it shouldn't change much, if anything. There were some players who are returning, and some who came through the portal or in the Class of 2026, who would benefit from being coached by Spencer, and Stevens is one of those players.
There is some promising depth along the Virginia Tech defensive line this season, but just how much depth remains to be seen. Stevens is a redshirt junior and appears to be making the transition from linebacker to edge. He is big and athletic, so he could become more of a factor this season with a couple of years under his belt. If the Hokies' defense is going to be better this season, especially along the line, then Stevens breaking out is certainly something that would help.
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