The Virginia Tech football team will have a different look in 2025. Several key players have either entered the transfer portal or are out of eligibility. Head coach Brent Pry has his work cut out for him this off-season between the transfer portal and getting a number of his younger players ready for next season.
Some of the departures over the last month are surprising and others not so much. Here is a list of players who are not returning to Virginia Tech in 2025 for different reasons.
Offense
Bhayshul Tuten, RB
Malachi Thomas, RB
Jaylin Lane, WR
Ali Jennings, WR
Da’Quan Felton, WR
Chance Fitzgerald, WR
Xayvion Turner-Bradshaw, WR
Stephen Gosnell, WR
Collin Schlee, QB
Parker Clements, OL
Lance Williams, OL
Braelin Moore, OL
Xavier Chaplin, OL
Kaden Moore, OL
Gunner Givens, OL
Defense
Cole Nelson, DL
Antwaun Powell-Ryland, DL
Josh Fuga, DL
Wilfried Pene, DL
Aeneas Peebles, DL
C.J. McCray, DL
Ishmael Findlayter, DL
Malachi Madison, DL
Khurtiss Perry, DL
Sam Brumfield, LB
Keli Lawson, LB
Keonta Jenkins, LB
Jalen Stroman, DB
Jaylen Jones, DB
Dorian Strong, DB
Jonathan Pennix, DB
Mansoor Delane, DB
Mose Phillips, DB
Special Teams
Peter Moore, P
As you can see, the Hokies are in a different position than they were last season at this time with all the retainment they had. Several of these players are going to go into the NFL as some raised their draft stock in 2024. Others have bypassed the draft for another year in college football and a bigger payday somewhere else, which is sadly the current state of college sports. Several players who entered the portal ended up in the SEC. Regardless, the 2025 version of Virginia Tech that will take the field in Atlanta to begin the season against South Carolina will have a different look.