Virginia Tech football coach Brent Pry had a challenging Monday, as rumors of increased activity in the transfer portal involving his players proved accurate.
During the team’s second bye week, Pry and his staff appeared to focus on damage control, attempting to keep their roster intact. However, those efforts seem to be falling short now that the transfer portal is officially open.
Several defensive players announced their intent to transfer, which was somewhat expected, but one player’s decision to enter the portal on Monday afternoon came as a surprise. This marks another significant loss for Pry and defensive coordinator Chris Marve, adding to the challenges they face in maintaining the team’s defensive depth.
Mose Phillips to enter the transfer portal
Virginia Tech’s starting safety Mose Phillips, a key figure in the Hokies’ secondary, announced via social media that he is entering the transfer portal. As a sophomore in 2024, Phillips played in 11 games, recording 65 tackles and earning praise from the coaching staff after a strong spring. In 2023, he appeared in 11 games with 27 tackles, showing notable development heading into his second season.
Phillips, a Class of 2023 recruit from Tennessee, has two years of eligibility remaining. His departure, along with Jalen Stroman’s earlier announcement on Monday, signals a significant overhaul in Virginia Tech’s secondary for 2025. At 6-foot-2 and 193 pounds, Phillips’ decision to transfer is somewhat puzzling given his productive season and the coaching staff’s high regard for him.
However, in the current landscape of college sports, where the transfer portal allows players to explore new opportunities freely, his move may reflect the potential for a lucrative NIL deal or a chance to step into a more prominent role with another program in 2025.
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Virginia Tech O-Lineman Gunner Givens Goes Into The Portal
Gunner Givens, a highly-touted high school star from nearby Lord Botetourt, has entered the transfer portal.
A former four-star recruit and the No. 225 player nationally in the 2022 class, Givens arrived at Virginia Tech with high expectations but struggled to find his stride during his time with the program.
Gunner Givens spent two seasons at Virginia Tech, initially playing on the defensive line, where he appeared in three games and recorded one tackle. After transitioning to the offensive line last spring, he saw limited action this fall, playing just three snaps across two games in mop-up duty.
Givens becomes the 10th scholarship player to enter the transfer portal or declare his intent to do so, and the third offensive lineman, joining Xavier Chaplin and Lance Williams.
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