After having one of the better defensive lines in the ACC last season, the Virginia Tech football team is facing many questions entering the 2025 season. There were a lot of losses from last season's team, including Aeneas Peebles, Wilfried Pene, Josh Fuga, Antwaun Powell-Ryland, and Cole Nelson. Coach J.C. Price is looking to rebuild the line on the fly.
Back is Kelvin Gilliam and Kemari Copeland, who was lost to an injury during last season. Transfer portal additions, Jahzari Priester of Hampton and Arias Nash of Merce,r from the winter cycle were added. There were eight scholarship tackles when everyone woke up Wednesday morning Price and Brent Pry landed a huge commitment out of the transfer portal from one of the better players remaining.
Virginia Tech football gets commitment from NDSU defensive tackle Kody Huisman
North Dakota State transfer Kody Huisman committed to Virginia Tech on Wednesday, giving the Hokies' defense a giant and impactful player along the line that they desperately needed. In four seasons for the Bison, Huisman played over 1,200 snaps with 73 tackles, 12.5 tackles for a loss, and 3.5 sacks.
In 2024, the 6-foot-4, 283-pounder had 37 tackles and 7.5 of those were for a loss and in the FCS semifinals against South Dakota State, he registered six tackles and two for a loss along with a forced fumble.
Huisman is the first player added in the spring portal by the Hokies along the defensive line and should make a big impact. There are a lot of big shoes for Huisman and the other transfers to come and replace, but adding the talent of Huisman should benefit the defense as long as everyone stays healthy.