After Virginia Tech football coach Brent Pry fired defensive coordinator Chris Marve and it didn't take him long to find his replacement, diving into the NFL to hire Arizona Cardinals linebackers coach Sam Siefkes.
Gone is a talented defensive that saw a lot of players head to the NFL with Antwaun Powell-Ryland being drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles and Aeneas Peebles going to the Baltimore Ravens. Some other players have moved to the next level and there is a lot of positions that will be up for grab when camp starts this summer. On Monday night, the Hokies picked up a huge addition in the portal and a surprising one at that.
South Florida DL Immanuel Hickman committed to Virginia Tech through the transfer portal
South Florida transfer Immanuel Hickman committed to the Hokies on Monday night, giving Siefkes a veteran presence for 2025. In 31 games for the Bulls, Hickman registered 90 tackles and the 6-foot-3, 295-pound edge from Virginia began his career at East Carolina before heading to South Florida.
I’m Coming Home🦃‼️ #ThisIsHome #ImBack@HokiesFB pic.twitter.com/NIX1xS7mWo
— Immanuel Hickman (@ImmanuelHickman) May 5, 2025
Virginia Tech's defensive line is going to have a different look next season with the talent that is gone from last season. However, Hickman adds experience for Siefkes and is the seventh portal addition in the spring window for the Hokies. He has one year of eligibility remaining. He began his college season with the Pirates in 2019.
There are going to a number of camp battles to watch when things begin over the summer for the Hokies on both sides of the ball. Some of the transfers are going to come in and push the returners who are hungry to play after sitting behind some talented players last year.