In a surprising turn that has sent ripples through the college wrestling community, Rafael Hipolito Jr., Virginia Tech’s reigning ACC Champion at 157 pounds, has officially entered the NCAA transfer portal — marking one of the most significant departures of the Tony Robie era in Blacksburg.
The redshirt freshman, originally from Manaus, Brazil, had an explosive debut season. Hipolito Jr. racked up an impressive 28-9 career record, including 17-5 in 2025 alone. His resume includes four wins over All-Americans, nine bonus-point victories, and, most notably, an ACC title earned this past March in Durham. That championship performance helped him secure the No. 4 seed at the NCAA Championships in Philadelphia, where he went 1-2 in a tough national field.
While his departure is undeniably a blow to the Hokies’ lineup, the team appears well-prepared to pivot. In a proactive move earlier this offseason, Virginia Tech secured Ethen Miller, a high-profile transfer from Maryland. Miller is no slouch — he’s a three-time NCAA qualifier who earned the top seed at the 2025 Big Ten Championships after a dominant, undefeated 20-0 regular season. Originally expected to move up to 165 pounds, Miller will now likely slide into the 157-pound role vacated by Hipolito Jr.
Head coach Tony Robie, who has collected six ACC Coach of the Year awards, including his most recent this spring, has repeatedly demonstrated his ability to adapt and reload in the face of roster adversity. While losing a talent like Hipolito Jr. isn’t easy, Robie’s leadership and strategic recruiting continue to position Virginia Tech as a wrestling powerhouse.
What led Hipolito Jr. to enter the portal remains unclear — whether it was a search for a better fit, a change in training environment, or academic factors — but one thing is certain: his next destination will be closely watched by fans and programs across the country.
As the Hokies gear up for the 2025–26 season, all eyes will now be on Ethen Miller and how he handles the pressure of stepping into a role previously held by one of the nation’s brightest young stars.