Virginia Tech Football Struggles to Keep Up with SEC Powerhouses in Transfer Portal
The transfer portal season is in full swing, and Virginia Tech football has already found itself on the losing end of an early recruiting battle. Just days after the spring transfer portal officially opened, the Hokies were outpaced by an SEC juggernaut, missing out on a key target who quickly committed to Ole Miss — without even setting foot in Blacksburg.
The spring transfer portal window opened on Wednesday, and by Saturday, the action was already heating up. Players who entered the portal were swiftly locking in visits, and some were making quick decisions about their next destinations. Virginia Tech had positioned itself as a contender for a promising offensive lineman, Terez Davis, who had entered the portal from the University of Maryland. The 6-foot-5, 305-pound freshman had impressed last season, starting 10 of Maryland’s 12 games and playing over 300 snaps without allowing a sack. It was clear that Davis would be a hot commodity, and the Hokies were among the schools that lined up a visit with him, scheduled for Monday.
However, things took a sharp turn when Davis instead visited Ole Miss. Just two days before his planned trip to Virginia Tech, Davis committed to the SEC powerhouse, choosing Lane Kiffin’s squad over the Hokies. While this might seem like a surprise, in the grand scheme of things, it isn’t. With his impressive freshman campaign and potential for immediate impact, it was inevitable that Davis would attract attention from top programs, and Virginia Tech couldn’t secure the edge in this recruitment battle.
Virginia Tech head coach Brent Pry had previously expressed optimism about the offensive line, noting that the unit had impressed during spring practices, along with the secondary. However, first-year offensive line coach Matt Moore still has work to do in shoring up the line, both for the upcoming season and for the future. Davis could have been a major piece in that puzzle, bringing immediate experience and depth to a position that is crucial for the Hokies’ success.