3 Virginia Tech football newcomers who will have the biggest impacts in 2024

Despite having a lot of retainment following the 2023 season, Virginia Tech football coach Brent Pry was active in the transfer portal once again. He added several players to his roster for the 2024 campaign and some should make an immediate impact for the Hokies.

Most of the additions were on the defensive side of the ball for Pry for a group that brings in a lot of talent. Which transfers are going to make the biggest difference for Virginia Tech in 2024? We think these three have a chance to make the biggest impact.

1. Montavious Cunningham, OL (Georgia State)

Again, a lot of the transfers added were on the defensive side of the ball, but there were some additions on the offensive side. Quarterback Collin Schlee from UCLA committed in April giving the Hokies a veteran to backup Kyron Drones. Along the line, Virginia Tech added one transfer from Georgia State.

Montavious Cunningham, who has two years of eligibility left, committed in December and the 6-foot-3, 305-pounder brings a lot of experience after a strong 2023 season for the Panthers. He played 743 snaps and received a 69.0 blocking grade from Pro Football Focus. The Hokies' offensive line was up and down last season and Cunningham should step right in and solidify blocking for Drones and running back Bhayshul Tuten.

2. Sam Brumfield, LB (Middle Tennessee State)

Virginia Tech returns Keli Lawson at linebacker and he led the Hokies tackles with 81 and key piece to the second-level defense for coordinator Chris Marve. One player that Pry and Marve made a priority in the transfer portal was Middle Tennessee State transfer Sam Brumfield, who committed after taking a visit to Blacksburg and Pittsburgh.

The 5-foot-11, 225-pound Mississippi native spent one season with the Blue Raiders and was a tackling machine, recording 81, 3.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles. He will give the Hokies a boost at middle linebacker and depth. He could end up being one of the more impactful pickups from the portal.

3. Aeneas Peebles, DL (Duke)

One of the bright spots last season defensively for the Hokies was their defensive line over the last two months of the season when they won five out of their eight ACC games to rebound from a 1-3 start to become bowl-eligible. They got some retainment when Antwaun Powell-Ryland and his 9.5 sacks announced he was returning along with Josh Fuga. That didn't stop Pry from adding depth and some very good depth.

Aeneas Peebles, who is coming off of a career year in 2023 at Duke, committed to the Hokies, and the Raleigh, N.C. native will only be another key pass rusher along the defensive front. Last season for the Blue Devils, the 6-foot-1, 290-pound Peebles, who is the third highest-rated return defensive tackle according to Pro Football Focus, had 40 tackles, 11 solo, and four sacks. He has one year remaining and could end up being a difference-maker along the d-line.

With a ton of retainment, you can never have enough depth and Pry added that and even added some guys who are going to make a big impact for the Hokies in 2024.