Virginia Tech Football: Who's Staying, Who's going?

Chris Hirons, David Cunningham and Jackson Didlake

December 29, 2020

BLACKSBURG, Va. — Following a stange, peculiar college football season, all players were granted an extra year of eligibility because of the pandemic. Because of the free year of eligibility, along with the annual transfer portal arrivals and departures, this offseason will likely be the craziest that a disappointing 5-6 Virginia Tech football team has faced to date.

Below are the players who have confirmed that they are staying or leaving for the Hokies next season:

Updated: Thursday, March 25.

Returning

Amaré Barno, Defensive Lineman

After switching positions from linebacker to defensive end in fall camp, Barno turned some heads with his performance in 2020. The community college transfer recorded six-and-a-half sacks and forced two fumbles in 11 games for the Hokies. On top of his sack totals, no Power Five player had more tackles for loss than Barno, who stopped runners behind the line of scrimmage a whopping 16 times.

On Dec. 23, Barno confirmed in a Tweet that he would remain a Hokie in 2021. The redshirt junior earned an All-ACC Honorable Mention after Tech’s season concluded. He’ll likely be a beneficiary as he develops his skills and builds his draft stock heading into the 2022 NFL Draft.

James Mitchell, Tight End

After speculation that the Big Stone Gap native would enter the NFL after sufficient production as Hendon Hooker’s favorite target in the red zone, Mitchell tweeted that he would return to Blacksburg for another season with Virginia Tech on Dec. 28.

In 2020, Mitchell emerged as Tech’s swiss army knife. Not only was he blocking edge rushers and linebackers or running routes, but also he was VT’s punt returner for the final two games of the season. Additionally, he was tapped as the emergency quarterback if Knox Kadum came down with an injury against Clemson after Braxton Burmiester and Hendon Hooker were knocked out (Logan Thomas, anyone?).

In 2020, Mitchell only caught 26 passes, but he scored on four of them, and averaged 16.7 yards-per-catch.

Emmanuel Belmar, Defensive Line

After starting 23 of his last 25 games with six sacks across the 2018-19 seasons, Belmar entered 2020 as a redshirt senior, looking to put his name on the radar of NFL sacks. Belmar started fast, racking up three-and-a-half sacks in Tech’s first four games. Additionally, he was named ACC Player of the Week for his three sack effort against Duke in Tech’s second win of the season.

The Suwanee, Ga. native suffered an undisclosed injury that effectively ended his season against Wake Forest. Before that, he had started in all of VT’s first five games.

On Dec. 31, Belmar Tweeted that he would use the NCAA’s extra year of eligibility waiver that’s been given to all current student-athletes because of the ongoing pandemic.

Tré Turner, Wide Receiver

After two seasons of lining up opposite of Damon Hazelton, Turner entered 2020 as Tech’s No. 1 receiver on the depth chart while Hazelton left for Missouri.

Only playing in one fewer game this season after starting 11 games in 2019, Turner’s numbers didn’t improve — even after he was moved up on the depth chart. Nor, did his numbers decline. Turner stayed consistent in 2020, catching 34 passes for the second straight season and turning those catches into 529 yards and four touchdowns.

Turner, for now, will line up with Tayvion Robinson — who should slip into the slot receiver role with Jaden Payoute’s return on the horizon — for a second straight season in 2021 after Tweeting that he’ll return for his senior year on Dec. 31.

Lecitus Smith, Offensive Line

After speculation that Smith would depart Blacksburg for the NFL Draft, the six-foot-three, 320 pound offensive put those rumors to bed and tweeted that he’ll return in 2021 on Jan. 4.

Smith started all 11 games at left guard for the Hokies in 2020, and was a treat for the media every time he spoke with members during Virginia Tech’s weekly player availability. Smith’s description of the offense’s trip to Kabuki Japanese Steak House in Christiansburg was nothing short of amusing.

Smith helped pave the way for a dominant Virginia Tech rushing attack in 2020 that picked up 2,931 yards on the ground and averaged more than five-and-a-half yards per carry.

DaShawn Crawford, Defensive Tackle

Crawford announced that he would return in a Tweet on Jan. 6. Playing as a senior in 2020, he’ll become a beneficiary of the NCAA’s “free year” rule in 2021 given to all players as a result of the pandemic.

Crawford battled a nagging injury all season, and in eight games, only recording four tackles, one-and-a-half of which was for loss.

Transferring In

Johnny Jordan, Offensive Lineman

Jordan announced his commitment to the Hokies and Justin Fuente on Dec. 26. The transfer from Maryland where he was named as an honorable mention to the All-Big Ten Team for his efforts in the 2020 season. The Leesburg, Va. native started 17 games for the Terps at center over the past three seasons.

His addition will soften the blow of the outgoing Christian Darrisaw, Bryan Hudson and Doug Nester.

Tae Daley, Safety

Daley will join the Hokies next season, filling one of the two voids left by Divine Deablo and presumably Devin Taylor in the Virginia Tech secondary. His commitment was Tweeted by Virginia Tech on Dec. 30.

The senior opted-out of the 2020 season with Vanderbilt in September and was the Commodores' third-leading tackler in 2019, while starting nine games at safety and is expected to compete for a starting role immediately.

Jordan Williams, Defensive Lineman

The Virginia Beach native committed to Virginia Tech on Jan. 11. Formerly of Clemson, Williams recorded eight tackles in 11 games with the Tigers in 2020. Williams was a four-star recruit in the 2017 recruiting class out of Cox High School.

Williams joins the Hokies at a big position of need after linemen Jarrod Hewitt and Justus Reed declared for the NFL Draft. He’ll play alongside DaShawn Crawford, who recently announced that he will return in 2021. Williams will begin next season as a redshirt senior.

Connor Blumrick, Quarterback

A 6'5", 215-pound quarterback, Blumrick announced his commitment to the Hokies on Jan. 12. The former Texas A&M Aggie, Blumrick hails from Pearland, Texas.

A three-star recruit out of high school, Blumrick played in 18 games in three seasons with the aggies at multiple positions, including running back and tight end. His commitment provides some more depth to Virginia Tech's quarterback room, which was a bit depleted after the departures of Quincy Patterson and Hendon Hooker.

Will Ross, Kicker

A Rock Hill, S.C. native, Ross committed to the Hokies in a tweet on Jan. 13. Ross transfers in from South Carolina, where he was a walk-on. It's his second school in his collegiate career after spending his freshman season at Coastal Carolina.

Ross did not record any stats at either previous school, though he does provide some depth to a kicker room that already includes John Parker Romo, Zach Hoban and Kyle Lowe. Brian Johnson stilll has not made an official decision on whether or not he will return.

Jared Cole, Running Back

Cole announced his intentions to transfer late in the offseason and wound up signing with Virginia Tech on March 3. He accepted a preferred walk-on opportunity after playing in four games as a true freshman in 2020 with UMass.

Cole played at Stone Bridge High School (Ashburn, Va.), where he ran for 1,550 yards and 22 touchdowns as a senior, and was named to the All-State team. The Washington Post also awarded him with an All-Met First Team honor.

Because of the implications the coronavirus had on collegiate athletics in 2020, Cole comes to Virginia Tech with five years of eligibility remaining, including a redshirt year if needed

C.J. McCray, Linebacker

On March 26, McCray Tweeted that he would be transferring to Virginia Tech from Marshall, following new defensive line coach J.C. Price, who left the Thundering Herd to join the Hokies’ coaching staff on Feb. 2.

McCray sat out this past season because of academic relations and will have four years of eligibility remaining.

The six-foot-three, 215-pound outside linebacker was an unrated recruit coming out of high school, with his only scholarship offer coming from Liberty.

Transferring Out

Quincy Patterson, Quarterback - North Dakota State

Patterson became the first quarterback to leave a crowded position room after he announced that he would transfer following a blowout loss to Pitt. Last season, after replacing an injured Hendon Hooker at halftime against the Tar Heels and leading the Hokies to a comeback win, Patterson earned his first career start against Notre Dame in South Bend and nearly led the Hokies to an upset, narrowly losing 21-20.

After Fuente announced that Patterson would remain behind Hooker and Braxton Burmiester on the depth chart to begin the season, Patterson saw action in just three games this season.

On Dec. 21, Patterson announced that he would be transferring to North Dakota State.

Hendon Hooker, Quarterback - Tennessee

Less than a month after Quincy Patterson entered the transfer portal, Hooker announced that he would do the same on Dec. 17, leaving only Braxton Burmiester as the only upperclassman quarterback that has appeared in more than a single game on the roster.

In 2020, Hooker regressed throwing the football but made strides when using his legs. His passing yards took a dip, down to 1,339 yards and nine touchdowns. He also turned the ball over more, throwing five interceptions. His completion rate improved, however, increasing by 4.2% to 56.3%. Running the ball, Hooker picked up 620 yards, amounting to 5.2 yards per carry, and nine touchdowns.

On Thursday, Jan. 7, Hooker tweeted that he is committed to the Tennessee Volunteers.

Doug Nester, Offensive Guard - West Virginia

Nester, a former four-star recruit headlining the Tech’s 2019 class, announced he was heading to the transfer portal on Dec. 17. Once an Ohio State commit that Fuente & Co. flipped, Nester was set to anchor the offensive line following Christian Darrisaw’s widely expected departure.

Nester played in eight of Tech’s 11 games, while taking home ACC offensive lineman of the week after his performance against Boston College on Oct. 17.

On Christmas Day, Nester announced he is returning home to his home state of West Virginia to play for the Mountaineers.

Bryan Hudson, Offensive Lineman - Louisville

Hudson is the third offensive lineman to leave Virginia Tech this offseason after taking a backseat to center Brock Hoffman.

Hudson joined Doug Nester as a four-star recruit highlighting VT’s 2019 recruiting class. In 2019, he started 10 of the 11 games he played in. Like Nester, he’ll receive a call to the NFL in the coming years, signaling a big blow to Vance Vice’s position group.

A Georgetown, Ky. native, Hudson announced that he would be joining the Louisville Cardinals on Dec. 26.

T.J. Jackson, Offensive Lineman - Ohio

The Hokies lost their fourth offensive lineman of the offseason after Jackson announced his intention to enter the transfer portal on Dec. 17.

He’ll be a fifth-year senior during the 2021 season. At Tech, he mainly was used on the offensive line for depth purposes, playing 24 games for the Hokies throughout his career. Additionally, in 2019 he started two games for VT, those being his only two career starts.

Darryle Simmons, Wide Receiver - Stephen F. Austin

Simmons struggled to find his footing on the Virginia Tech depth chart since arriving as a three-star commit prior to the 2018 season. Justin Fuente confirmed the Philadelphia native entered the portal on Nov. 30, along with Elijah Bowick and Quincy Patterson.

On Dec. 27, Simmons tweeted that he is transferring to Stephen F. Austin in Nacogdoches, Texas.

Elijah Bowick, Wide Receiver - North Carolina A&T

Bowick, like Simmons, never found his footing, taking a backseat to Tré Turner, Tayvion Robinson and Changa Hodge, among others. Bowick was a four-star recruit in the 2019 cycle. At the time of the announcement that he would transfer, Bowick had been suspended from the team for unknown reasons.

Zion DeBose, Defensive End

After falling behind on the depth chart throughout the 2020 season, DeBose left the program in late October and returned home. He announced his intention to transfer on Feb. 4, but has yet to find a home with another program.

DeBose was a three-star recruit in 2017 and reshirted his freshman season. He saw action in 13 games in 2018, recording seven tackles before missing the entire 2019 with an injury. He made his return to the field in 2020, but only played in four of Tech's games before opting-out.

Turning Pro

Caleb Farley, Cornerback

On July 29, ESPN’s Adam Schefter broke the news that Tech cornerback Caleb Farley was opting out of the 2020 season amid covid concerns and would focus on preparing for the 2021 NFL Draft.

After the 2019 season, Farley was named to the All-ACC First Team after leading the conference in passes defended (16) and was tied for second in interceptions (4). Additionally, he was named Pro Football Focus’ top-rated cornerback after the 2019 season.

Farley will likely be the first defensive back to come off the board and should hear his name called on day one of the NFL Draft.

Where Farley sits in the latest Mock Drafts:

Sporting News: Round 1, Pick 4 - Atlanta Falcons

The Athletic: Round 1, Pick 8 - New York Giants

FOX Sports: Round 1, Pick 10 - Denver Broncos

CBS Sports: Round 1, Pick 11 - Dallas Cowboys

Pro Football Focus: Round 1, Pick 12 - Los Angeles Chargers

Khalil Herbert, Running Back

Herbert had one of the weirdest college careers in recent memory. The graduate transfer played four solid seasons with Kansas before leaving for Blacksburg, but was unable to capture the No. 1 position on the depth chart in all four years.

At Tech, Hebert exploded onto the scene and racked up 1,182 yards and eight touchdowns, enroute to becoming VT’s first 1,000 yard rusher since David Wilson in 2011. In his first six games, Herbert ran for 803 yards and was even in consideration for the Heisman Trophy before injuring his hamstring on the opening kickoff against Liberty.

For his efforts, he was named to the All-ACC Second Team at the All-Purpose position and All-ACC Third Team as a running back. Herbert will be one of the more intriguing draft prospects to follow in the coming months after he announced that he would declare for the draft on Dec. 17.

Christian Darrisaw, Offensive Tackle

Darrisaw capitalized on his six-foot-five, 314 pound frame and mauled opposing defensive lineman throughout the season. The junior was named to the All-ACC First Team following the 2020 season.

Darrisaw announced that he would forgo his senior season in a tweet on Dec. 18. In 10 games, Darrisaw anchored an offensive line that propelled the rushing attack to six 250-yard games throughout the 2020 season. Also, the Hokies scored 27 touchdowns on the ground, the team's best total in a decade.

Like Farley, Darrisaw is a great professional prospect with a huge upside and is expected to be selected in the first round of the NFL Draft.

Where Darrisaw sits in the latest Mock Drafts:

Pro Football Focus: Round 1, Pick 18 - Indianapolis Colts

Sporting News: Round 1, Pick 19 - Washington Football Team

CBS Sports: Round 1, Pick 19 - Washington Football Team

FOX Sports: Round 1, Pick 28 - Pittsburgh Steelers

Divine Deablo, Safety

Following a career year in 2019 that included 84 tackles and an interception, Deablo followed up with another strong season ahead of his departure for the NFL Draft. Despite missing two games after quarantining for covid reasons, Deablo recorded a career high four interceptions and forced a fumble as he embarked on a 2020 All-ACC First Team selection.

Head coach Justin Fuente announced that he and Herbert would be declaring for the 2021 NFL Draft during his Signing Day press conference on Dec. 16.

Justus Reed, Defensive End

Reed often lined up on the opposite side of Amaré Barno for the large majority of the 2020 season wreaking havoc on opposing offensive tackles. Reed, a sixth-year senior, transferred to VT in the summer after three dominant years at Youngstown State.

Reed lived up to his reputation he built as a pass rusher with the Penguins. In 2020, Reed posted nine tackles behind the line of scrimmage, including six sacks. The six-foot-three, 215 pound lineman declared for the draft on Twitter on Dec. 21.

Rayshard Ashby, Linebacker

Like Divine Deablo, Ashby posted a career year in Bud Foster’s final season as the Hokies defensive coordinator. In 2019, he recorded 120 tackles, 17 of which were for loss, earning Second Team All-ACC honors.

However, in 2020, Ashby regressed; only recording 69 tackles and seven-and-a-half sacks despite only playing two fewer games. Few expected that Ashby would declare since seniors were granted an extra year of eligibility, citing a need for more development before declaring for the draft after a year of regression. Nonetheless, Ashby declared for the 2021 NFL Draft on Christmas Eve, leaving a hole for Dax Hollifield to fill the mike position next season.

Jarrod Hewitt, Defensive Tackle

Hewitt came into 2020 after his best season as a Hokie in 2019 where he recorded four sacks and six-and-a-half tackles for loss. Needing a leader on the defensive line, Hewitt’s numbers improved as the rest of the defense took a step back after last season.

Hewitt posted five-and-a-half sacks and eight-and-a-half tackles for loss in 2020. The Florida native declared for the 2021 NFL Draft in a Tweet on Dec. 26.