The transfer portal has been an active one for Virginia Tech football coach Brent Pry. After adding some pieces over the last week, the Hokies' head coach picked up another commitment on defense on Friday afternoon when Temple linebacker Antwone Santiago committed.
He joins Pittsburgh transfer Jordan Bass at linebacker, giving the Hokies some players who come in with experience. A Connecticut native, Santiago, played in 12 games for the Owls this past season and recorded 25 tackles, including a season-high six against East Carolina. He has two years of eligibility remaining, but he should be a player who comes and plays a lot for defensive coordinator Sam Siefkes, who was a linebackers coach with the Arizona Cardinals before coming to Blacksburg.
Antwone Santiago adds depth to a needed position for Virginia Tech
The 6-foot-3, 225-pound Santiago should create an interesting position battle this summer at linebacker with returners Jaden Keller and Caleb Woodson. Santiago received a 69.4 grade from Pro Football Focus, but he received an 81.8 grade in tackling and a 73.6 grade in run defense.
He can provide the Hokies with some depth on special teams as he blocked a punt last season against Connecticut, which was recovered in the end zone for a special teams touchdown. He adds depth after Jayden McDonald entered the portal earlier this spring.
Linebacker has been a position of need for the Hokies this spring portal cycle and they were in on Purdue transfer Hudson Miller, but he never visited and committed earlier this week to Toledo in the MAC, which mades Santiago's commitment a bigger commitment for Pry and Siefkes. Santiago will provide depth and push the returners on the Hokies roster for a spot in 2025.