Virginia Tech defensive tackle Kelvin Gilliam discusses the new-look defensive line with Antwaun Powell-Ryland and Aeneas Peebles opting out of the Duke's Mayo Bowl.
Virginia Tech's defensive line room was going to look quite different in the offseason. Five players exhausted their eligibility and three others entered the transfer portal.
The Hokies added a massive body in Hampton transfer Jahzari Priester.
The 6-foot-6, 294-pound Priester announced on social media Friday that he is transferring to Virginia Tech with three seasons of eligibility remaining.
He had a productive redshirt freshman season with the Pirates by recording 16 tackles, 2.5 tackles for a loss, two sacks and a fumble recovery.
Most of Tech's losses on the defensive line came at defensive tackle. Aeneas Peebles, Josh Fuga and Wilfried Pene exhausted their eligibility, and Malachi Madison and Khurtiss Perry entered the transfer portal.
Priester will join a defensive tackle rotation that will feature Kelvin Gilliam, Kemari Copeland, Emmett Laws, Andrew Hanchuk and Gerard Johnson.
Gilliam and Copeland played this season. Laws, Hanchuk and Johnson will be redshirt freshmen next season.
Damien Sordelett (540) 981-3124
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