As part of the mass exodus out of Blacksburg last winter in the Transfer Portal, the Virginia Tech football team lost a lot of key players who hit the portal for greener pastures, or so they thought.
Several players found a new home in the SEC. One of them, Xavier Chaplin, an offensive lineman, has hit the portal once again after a year at Auburn and found a new home at Florida State. Cornerback Mansoor Delane left Virginia Tech after the 2024 season and landed at LSU. He is projected to be a first-round pick in April's NFL Draft.
Another former Hokie, Mose Phillips, a safety, entered the portal after the disappointing 2024 season and landed at Missouri. After struggling in 2025 after a very good season in Blacksburg the year before, Phillips is heading back into the portal.
Former Virginia Tech CB Mose Phillips hits the Transfer Portal once again
After one year with Missouri, Phillips is entering the portal again after just one season in Columbia. Phillips broke out in 2024 with Virginia Tech and was a big-time contributor. He registered 65 tackles in his final season with the Hokies, with a sack and an interception. In 2023, the Nashville, Tennessee native had 27 tackles. However, he recorded just five tackles this season with the Tigers.
The 6-foot-2, 200-pound Phillips should generate some interest in the portal again this year. One school to watch is Liberty, where Shawn Quinn left Virginia Tech to become the defensive coordinator. It also wouldn't be surprising to see some ACC schools get involved for Phillips or even Vanderbilt.
Phillips, without a doubt, was a key piece to the Hokies' secondary in 2024, but he didn't see the numbers he was hoping to see in 11 games for Missouri. He has one year of eligibility remaining.