Former Virginia Tech football coach Brent Pry hit the Transfer Portal last winter, looking to add some players on the defensive side of the ball. He landed some defensive linemen, including Eastern Michigan transfer James Djonkam.
The Springfield, Virginia native was one of a couple of transfers who returned home to the Commonwealth to close out his college career. However, his career in Blacksburg lasted just three games. He played the Hokies' first three games, losses to South Carolina, Vanderbilt, and Old Dominion, before Pry was fired.
He registered seven tackles in those games, four against the Gamecocks, two against the Commodores, and one against the Monarchs. On Thursday night, Chris Hummer of CBS Sports reported that Djonkam is entering the portal.
James Djonkam entering the Transfer Portal
Djonkam not returning to Virginia Tech is not surprising. Hummer reported that he is part of Diego Pavia's lawsuit against the NCAA's JUCO eligibility rules.
What does this mean for Virginia Tech? Not much. Djonkam, an edge, is leaving, despite rumors surrounding Pry returning to Blacksburg to be the defensive coordinator at Virginia Tech. After he left following the third week of the season, the Hokies' defensive line got better as the season went along and surprised some people despite being at a disadvantage most weeks.
Franklin had some good young players step and some freshmen played a lot and got some valuable playing time between the portal and injuries. It wouldn't be surprising to see Franklin add some players through the portal to come in and play right away, to sprinkle in with some of the younger players.
The Transfer Portal this year will open on Jan. 2 rather than in December as it did in previous seasons. January will be a busy month between the College Football Playoff and the portal.