The Virginia Tech Hokies continue to remake their backfield. Tech received good news after the season when its top two backs, Marcellous Hawkins and freshman Jeff Overton Jr., announced they were returning in 2026. That led others in Tech’s backfield to enter the NCAA transfer portal.

Kemari Copeland is back. The 6-foot-3, 283-pound lineman, listed as a redshirt junior, will utilize his last year of eligibility with the Hokies this season. Copeland started all 12 games this season at defensive tackle and was named Third-Team All-ACC in 2025.

Ethan Grunkemeyer is expected to transfer to Virginia Tech, reuniting with James Franklin after his breakout run at Penn State.

Grunkemeyer will also reunite with Ty Howle, Virginia Tech’s offensive coordinator and tight ends coach, and Danny O’Brien, Virginia Tech’s quarterback coach. Both left Penn State to join Franklin at Virginia Tech after the latter was hired.

Read below for a position-by-position snapshot of the Hokies' roster before the 2026 transfer portal opens tomorrow.

Rocco Becht has announced he will follow coach Matt Campbell from Iowa State to Penn State, giving the Nittany Lions a veteran quarterback to replace Ethan Grunkemeyer.

Iowa football senior analyst Warren Ruggiero is departing the Hawkeyes to become a senior offensive analyst at Virginia Tech under James Franklin.

DeLoatch is the third cornerback to announce his return to Virginia Tech, joining Joshua Clarke and Harrell. DeLoatch is the sixth player in the secondary to announce a return, alongside the aforementioned Clarke and Harrell, as well as Quentin Reddish, Jordan Bass and Sheldon Robinson.

Ben Hammond scored a career-high 30 points to lift Virginia Tech to a 95-85 triple-overtime victory against No. 21 Virginia.

Virginia Tech’s men’s basketball team looks to continue their dominance on Saturday where they will face off against Wake Forest in Winston Salem.

Former Virginia Tech safety Christian Ellis, who entered the transfer portal following the Georgia Tech contest, has committed to the in-state foe, Virginia Cav