Virginia Tech Football: Hokies finalists to land Duke transfer defensive tackle

Last weekend, Duke transfer defensive tackle Aeneas Peebles announced on X that he was making his official visit to Blacksburg and the Virginia Tech coaching staff.

Three days after leaving Blacksburg, the Blue Devils highly-sought recruit in the transfer portal has narrowed his choices down to five schools and one of those schools is Virginia Tech.

Aeneas Peebles announces his list of schools which is narrowed to five and includes Virginia Tech

Wednesday, it was reported that Peebles narrowed his choices down to five schools, and one of those schools is Virginia Tech. The other finalists are Louisville, Colorado, Missouri, and SMU. He is one of the best defensive linemen in the transfer portal and would be a huge addition to any of the five programs he decides on.

Over the final eight weeks of the 2023 season, the Virginia Tech defense turned things around and was one of the reasons why they became bowl-eligible and are playing Tulane in the Military Bowl on Dec. 27. They were active in sacking the quarterback, creating turnovers with interceptions and despite losing to Florida State, Louisville and North Carolina State, the three top teams in the conference.

On Dec. 2, Antwaun Powell-Ryland announced on X that he was returning next season which is a huge announcement for defensive coordinator Chris Marve and head coach Brent Pry. The Florida transfer had 9.5 sacks this past season, his first in Blacksburg.

Last week, Josh Fuga announced that he too was returning to the defensive line for Virginia Tech and those are two key players that are being retained for one more season by the Hokies. Peebles would only solidify the defensive line if he comes to Blacksburg and turns their defensive line into one of the best in the conference and makes them a preseason Top 25 team with the offensive players who have committed to returning next season as well.