Virginia Tech is beginning its fall football practices this week under James Franklin as the new era in Blacksburg has begun. Expectations are high for the Hokies with a new staff in place, roster turnover, and some key retention. The new era is a breath of fresh air, and it even has Brent Pry coming back as the defensive coordinator under his former boss at Penn State, Franklin.
Read More: Ranking every starting quarterback during Brent Pry's underwhelming Virginia Tech tenure
One player who was retained was defensive lineman Kemari Copeland, who could have hit the Transfer Portal or tested the NFL waters, but remained committed to Virginia Tech. He is by far one of the best players returning on the defensive side of the ball, and before the season begins, it shouldn't come as a surprise that he was named to a preseason watch list.
Copeland was named to the 2026 Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List, which is given to the national defensive player of the year. The finalists for the 2026 trophy will be announced on Nov. 19, and the winner will be announced on Dec. 7. He was also named to the Outland Trophy Watch List for the top interior lineman.
More Virginia Tech Hokies & NCAA news
- Copeland wasn't the only Hokies player named to an early preseason watch list. Long snapper Christian Eppling was named to the Patrick Mannelly Award Watch List, which is given to the country's best long-snapper. Expect a lot more Hokies to get named to preseason award watch lists over the coming weeks.
- On3 released the Top 10 loudest college football stadiums based on decibels, and Virginia Tech found its way onto the ranking, which shouldn't be a surprise. Lane Stadium was seventh on the list, behind Tennessee, Washington, South Carolina, Clemson, LSU and Oregon.
- In two months, on Oct. 2, the Hokies will open the home portion of their ACC schedule under Franklin when they host Pittsburgh under the lights of Lane Stadium. It was announced on Tuesday that the game is sold out, which shouldn't come as a surprise. A weeknight game sold out at Lane Stadium is the least surprising thing you'll hear this fall.
- The Hokies' men's soccer team has begun fall practices with a pivotal season-opener just over two weeks away in Columbus, Ohio, at Ohio State. The Buckeyes will be looking for revenge for a season-opening loss last summer.
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