It's safe to say that since Carnell Warren de-committed from Virginia Tech two weeks ago, head coach Brent Pry has been on a recruiting heater. When Warren de-committed, it left the Hokies with two commitments, but since getting four commitments over the last 10 days, Pry and his staff were able to successfully flip a Rutgers commit to Blacksburg.
Six-foot-7, 310-pound Tyrell Simpson took a surprising visit to Virginia Tech and was added to the visitor list late, and it paid off. Under first-year offensive line coach Matt Moore, Simpson, who committed to Rutgers shortly after a visit in May, flipped his commitment to Virginia Tech after the weekend visit.
I am happy to announce that I have found my home @HokiesFB @CoachPryVT @CoachMooreVT @CoachBryanDavis #GoHokies pic.twitter.com/ys38qHgolh
— Tyrell Simpson (@Tyrell7965) June 23, 2025
The Leland, North Carolina native had several offers from other schools, but after committing to the Scarlet Knights in the Big 10, one trip to Virginia Tech was all that was needed to sell Simpson that Blacksburg and playing inside of Lane Stadium was something that felt right. Also, playing close to home played a factor in as well, Simpson told 247Sports.
"Because it's closer to home," said Simpson. "And I have a great relationship with the coaches."
Virginia Tech football picks up key flip from Tyrell Simpson
Simpson, a three-star tackle, is the seventh commit in the Class of 2026 for Virginia Tech, as Pry is slowly building up the class. He joins in-state commit Buddy Wegdam along the offensive line. It's clear that Moore played a role in his recruiting, and he never gave up after Simpson's commitment to Rutgers, and getting him on campus was enough to sell him that Tech was the place for him.
As we wrote over the weekend, with the low number of commitments in the Class of 2026, Pry was going to need to do what other coaches do, get some recruits to flip their commitment, and it only took a couple of days for that to happen.