Virginia Tech is starting to heat up on the recruiting trail as the Class of 2026 cycle gains momentum. After a busy weekend filled with campus visits from key prospects, the Hokies have emerged as frontrunners for one of their top targets — three-star defensive lineman Kamdon Gillespie.
Gillespie, a highly sought-after prospect, spent the past weekend in Blacksburg as part of his recruiting tour. Standing at 6-foot-3 and weighing 245 pounds, he’s drawn serious interest from nearly two dozen Power 4 programs across the country. His recent stops have included Georgia Tech, while other offers have rolled in from Boston College in the ACC, SEC schools like Kentucky and Vanderbilt, and Big 12 contender West Virginia. He’s also scheduled to visit South Florida on June 20, but that trip might not happen — depending on how things unfold in the coming days.
Virginia Tech received a major recruiting boost when two Crystal Ball predictions from 247Sports analysts pegged the Hokies as the likely destination for Gillespie. That’s a strong sign of confidence from insiders that the defensive lineman could soon be calling Blacksburg home.
Gillespie’s versatility is one of his biggest strengths. Comfortable playing across various positions on the defensive front, he would fit perfectly into the aggressive, adaptable system being built under head coach Brent Pry and new defensive coordinator Sam Siefkes. In fact, should Gillespie commit, he would represent Siefkes’ first major recruiting win since joining the Hokies’ staff — a big milestone as the team builds its defensive identity.
So far, Virginia Tech has just three commitments in its 2026 class: a wide receiver, a linebacker, and a kicker. Gillespie would be a massive addition, both in terms of talent and momentum, as the program looks to make a strong push over the final weekends of this recruiting phase.
The big question now: will Gillespie follow through with his South Florida visit, or could a decision come sooner than expected?
Either way, the Hokies are clearly in a strong position — and fans have good reason to be optimistic about what’s shaping up to be a very promising addition to the future of their defense.