🔼 In Good Hands. Virginia Tech running back Marcellous Hawkins may be known for his play on the field, but this week, he was reconized for his efforts off the field.
Hawkins was named to Allstate’s 2026 AFCA Good Works Team nominee list. He is one of 162 student-athletes nominated for the 2026 Good Works Team, recognizing college football players who lead through community service, academics and athletics.
During his time in Blacksburg, Hawkins has made a positive impact in the New River Valley and surrounding region. Among his efforts, he helped spearhead a canned food drive for Micah's Backpack, which collected nearly 2,400 cans of food to help address food insecurity in the New River Valley. 

🏈
Throughout the summer, we will be counting down the days
to the return of Virginia Tech Football this fall. The Hokies will host VMI on September 5 at 7:30 p.m.

At 6-2, 325-pounds, Eric Mensah is intimidating presence on the defensive side of the ball for the Hokies.
Mensah, who will wear #4️⃣5️⃣ this fall, is one of many new faces who arrived in Blacksburg this spring. The Stafford, Va., native returned to his home state after spending the past two years at Ohio State.
At Mountain View High School, Mensah was named the Class 6, Region B and District Defensive Player of the Year accolades during his senior season.

Veteran administrator returns to the ACC to help lead Hokies through transformational era.

BLACKSBURG — Virginia Tech Vice President and Director of Athletics Brian White announced the hiring of Mary Giardina as the department's Deputy Athletics Director and Chief of Staff, adding one of the nation's most respected senior administrators to the Hokies' executive leadership team.
Giardina brings more than 15 years of experience in collegiate athletics administration, including leadership roles at West Virginia, Florida Atlantic, Duke and the Atlantic Coast Conference. She most recently served as West Virginia's executive senior associate athletics director for student-athlete experience, governance and compliance after joining the Mountaineers in January 2026.
Prior to that, she spent seven years at Florida Atlantic, including three (2022-25) as deputy athletics director, chief of staff and senior woman administrator under White. Giardina arrived in Boca Raton in 2018, initially hired as the Owls’ senior associate athletics director of compliance and SWA.
In her new role, Giardina will serve as a key member of Virginia Tech's executive leadership team, overseeing strategic initiatives and day-to-day operations while partnering closely with White to advance the department's priorities, strengthen organizational alignment and enhance the student-athlete experience.
"Mary is one of the most talented, trusted and respected leaders I've had the privilege to work alongside," White said. "She is an exceptional strategist, an outstanding relationship builder and someone who leads with integrity, accountability and a relentless commitment to people. We accomplished a great deal together at Florida Atlantic, and I've seen firsthand how her leadership elevates an entire department. 
“As we continue building the future of Virginia Tech Athletics, there is no one I trust more to help lead our staff, support our coaches and create an environment where our student-athletes can thrive."
Giardina reunites with White after helping guide one of the most successful periods in Florida Atlantic Athletics history. As deputy athletics director and chief of staff, she oversaw the day-to-day operations of the department's 19 varsity sports, more than 450 student-athletes and over 125 employees. She also supervised human resources, sports medicine, strength and conditioning, Title IX and served as the sport administrator for football, women's basketball and baseball.
Before her tenure at Florida Atlantic, Giardina served as executive director of compliance at Duke, where she led the day-to-day operations of the compliance office and developed innovative rules education initiatives. She also previously worked at the ACC as director of compliance, managing conference compliance operations and piloting a project to improve rules education for league members.
Prior to her role at the ACC, Giardina's first stint at Duke was as an assistant director of sports information from 2011-2013, where she coordinated public relations, publicity and social media for several Blue Devil sports teams.
Additionally, in that first stint at Duke from 2010-2011, she got her start in compliance by working as a liaison with the unit, putting an emphasis on monitoring NCAA Bylaw 13. The Bylaw governs recruiting and details rules and interactions with prospective student-athletes.
Giardina first crossed paths with the White family while working under Hall of Fame athletics director and Brian’s dad, Kevin White at Duke, establishing a professional relationship that has continued throughout her career.
"I'm incredibly honored and grateful to join Brian and the Virginia Tech family," Giardina said. "Virginia Tech has a proud tradition, an incredibly passionate fan base and a clear vision for where this department is headed. Having worked alongside Brian, I know the standard of excellence he expects and the culture he builds. I'm excited to help support our coaches and staff, serve our student-athletes and contribute to a championship-caliber experience in every aspect of Hokie Athletics."
A former Wake Forest track and field student-athlete, Giardina earned her bachelor's degree in health and exercise science from Wake Forest in 2006, where she was a member of the ACC Academic Honor Roll. She later earned a master's degree in liberal studies from Duke in 2013. Giardina and her husband, Matt Preston, will reside in Blacksburg.

After an offseason that saw big roster turnover for Virginia Tech following the coaching change, some players came in through the Transfer Portal who are going to make an immediate impact. One of those players is Penn State transfer Luke Reynolds. A former Top 100 recruit from New England, Reynolds is someone who will be playing football on Sundays at the next level. That could be as soon as the fall of 2027.

However, before we get into his future, he has a 2026 season to play out at Virginia Tech. The tight end position is one that was hardly used in recent years, but that is going to change under Franklin and new offensive coordinator Ty Howle. Max Olson of ESPN ranked the Top 100 transfers for the upcoming season and ranked Reynolds 48th.
ESPN ranks Virginia Tech transfer tight end Luke Reynolds 48th best transfer for 2026.
Hokies fans are going to notice several changes this upcoming season in terms of playcalling and the overall product on the field. However, beginning this season the tight end position is going to be used much more. There is also depth at the position.

"Reynolds followed coach James Franklin and his staff to Blacksburg. The trio of Reynolds, returning starter Benji Gosnell, and Penn State transfer Matt Henderson should be among the best in the ACC in 2026,'' wrote Olson.
If there is one thing that Franklin has been able to do, it is use the tight end as a key part of the offense and produce NFL tight ends. Reynolds is the latest along the long line of tight ends who could be the next star under Franklin.
One other change fans will notice this season is the overall depth that the Hokies will have. That is for nearly all positions, tight end included. Former Penn State quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer will have his choice of quality tight ends to choose from.

Pictured: Tremaine Edmunds (photo by Don Montague)

Linebacker from 2015-2017. Drafted in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft along with his brother Terrell. Tremaine currently plays for the New York Giants. 

Highlights: https://youtu.be/O_alNNzT1n0?si=XWK4LSk3K6rQjv4r

How do the Hokies stack up game-by-game on ESPN's Football Power Index?
Thomas Hughes
3 hours ago

I think they’ve had too much koolade to drink! I agree with the opponents -3 losses but think the Yellowjackets & Terps will be a coin toss.

The end of the 'talking heads' portion of the offseason is nigh. With two days of the ACC Kickoff complete — the Hokies' segment is done — here's a look at the newly-released ESPN FPI (Football Power Index) game-by-game projections for Virginia Tech football:
Game 1: vs. VMI: 99%
Like last year's FCS clash against Wofford, Virginia Tech enters this contest with minimal implications, looking to claim a facile victory and open the James Franklin era with a resounding victory. That shouldn't come at much difficulty.

FPI record: 1-0
Game 2, vs. Old Dominion: 84.7%
Last year's win probability was similar in the preseason. Entering Week 1, the 2025 edition of the Hokies held a 85.5% win probability over the Monarchs, a total that decreased to 83% after Tech lost to South Carolina, then 65.6% after its loss to Vanderbilt.
The Hokies lost last year's rendition in a 45-26 blowout that saw them trail 31-0 early in the fourth quarter. One day after the 19-point loss, then-head coach Brent Pry was fired. For Virginia Tech to start off this era on the right foot, avenging this loss is critical.
FPI record: 2-0
Game 3, at Maryland: 63.1%
Virginia Tech hasn't won an out-of-conference Power Four game since the 2017 season, but if there's a time to do it, it draws a prime chance here when it travels for its first road game of the season to play the Terrapins. Maryland went 4-8 (1-8 Big Ten), and though it won four straight to open the year, it subsequently ended the campaign on a four-game skid, placing head coach Mike Locksley's status under further jeopardy. This early-season contest is essential for both squads — Virginia Tech to continue its presumably strong start to the season, and for Maryland to showcase a spark under Locksley.

FPI record: 3-0
Game 4, at Boston College: 71.9%
The FPI metric projects that the good times keep rolling for Virginia Tech when it travels on the road to Chestnut Hill, Mass., to open league play. Despite starting ACC play away from home, it nabs an ideal draw in Boston College, which went 2-10 (1-7 ACC) last season to finish at the cellar of the conference. The Eagles will be led by Division II transfer Mason McKenzie, who was named GLIAC Player of the Year after throwing for 17 touchdowns. The hope is that he'll be the second rendition of Ole Miss' Trinidad Chambliss — a fellow D-II-to-P4 mover — but given the unlikelihood of such a replication occuring, Virginia Tech is significantly favored and would move to 4-0 if the FPI proceeds as chalk.

FPI record: 4-0
Game 5, vs. Pitt: 58.6%
FPI projects the Hokies' game to be reasonably close to a 50-50 toss-up against the Panthers, but it has Tech edging out to improve to 5-0. Pitt is one of just two schools in the first five teams that Tech faces that will return its signal-caller that it ended 2025 with: true sophomore Mason Heintschel. Heintschel threw for 2,354 passing yards, 16 touchdowns and eight interceptions as a true freshman, throwing for 323 yards and four touchdowns against Boston College, as well as two touchdowns and 226 passing yards in a 42-28 victory over then-No. 16 Georgia Tech.
FPI record: 5-0
Game 6, at Cal: 57.2%
Like the Pitt game before it, the FPI metric has earmarked the Virginia Tech-Cal game as another relatively even affair, but one that the Hokies emerge victorious from.

A victory would mark Tech's second straight against the Golden Bears, coming a season after the Hokies took down Cal 42-34 in double overtime. It was one of three Virginia Tech victories in the 2025 campaign, joining wins over Wofford (38-6) and NC State (23-21). Virginia Tech hasn't started a season 6-0 since 2005.
California Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele flashed for the Golden Bears last season, throwing for an impressive 3,454 passing yards and adding 18 passing touchdowns to nine picks. He went 31-for-40 for 330 passing yards and four touchdowns in California's 38-35 victory over then-No. 21 SMU in the regular-season finale, denying the Mustangs a trip to the ACC title game.

FPI record: 6-0
Game 7, vs. Georgia Tech: 66%
Per the FPI metric, Virginia Tech improves to an impressive 7-0 by beating the Yellow Jackets, which would mark its first 7-0 start since 2005. Virginia Tech has stated 7-0 only four times since 1998 (1999, 2000, 2002, 2005).
The Yellow Jackets will be led by Alberto Mendoza under center, the younger brother of 2025 Heisman winner and No. 1 draft pick Fernando Mendoza. The younger Mendoza threw for 286 passing yards, five touchdowns and a pick in mop-up duty, adding 190 rushing yards (14.6 yards per carry) on the ground for good measure. Still, his inexperience under center is part of why FPI has the Hokies favored and why they move to 7-0 if the metric proceeds as chalk.

FPI record: 7-0
Game 8, at Clemson: 26.9%
FPI hands VIrginia Tech its first loss of the season, and it'll come at Memorial Stadium, a venue in which Virginia Tech hasn't played at since 2012 and hasn't won in since 2007. Clemson will start Christopher Vizzina, who's spent the last two years as the backup to Cade Klubnik.
Vizzina is inexperienced, having only started one game in his collegiate career. He went 29-for-42 last season against SMU, throwing for 317 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions in a 35-24 loss to the Mustangs. Clemson went 7-6 (4-4 ACC), losing in the Pinstripe Bowl to Penn State and now-Hokies quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer. The hope for the Tigers is that they'll rediscover the Clemson form of yesteryear, and FPI at least favors Clemson to get it done over the Hokies.

FPI record: 7-1
Game 9, at SMU: 33.8%
Virginia Tech enters the SMU contest as underdogs in a venue it hasn't played at since 1974. The Hokies' unknowns across the board, plus SMU's comfort at quarterback — now-third-year starter Kevin Jennings threw for 3,641 yards, 26 touchdowns and 13 interceptions a season ago — means that the Mustangs, who should be ACC title threats again, enter this contest as significant favorites.
Virginia Tech's win probability against SMU is third-lowest, only behind Clemson (26.9%) and Miami (10.8%). It's not impossible that the Hokies claim this Dallas tussle, but it is unlikely.
FPI record: 7-2
Game 10, vs. Stanford: 84.8%
Virginia Tech beat Stanford in a pedestrian 31-7 affair when it ventured to the Golden State two years ago, and given that the Cardinal will presumably start Davis Warren — he hasn't played since the 2024 season at Michigan, where he was up-and-down with a 1,199-yard, seven-touchdown, nine-interception season — Virginia Tech should have the upper hand in this affair.

Such a win would move Virginia Tech's FPI record to 8-2, a record, that if true in reality, would be the best such record through 10 games for the Hokies since 2011 (9-1).
FPI record: 8-2
Game 11, at Miami: 10.8%
Miami is favored over the Hokies by a likely unsurmountable margin. The Hurricanes boast playmakers all over, spearheaded by their quarterback. Darian Mensah comes over from Duke after throwing for 3,973 yards (No. 2 in FBS) and 34 touchdowns (ibid, No. 1 in ACC) en route to a All-ACC Second-Team nod.
At wideout, there's Duke transfer Cooper Barkate (1,106 yards, seven touchdowns in 2025), Cam Vaughn (1,344 yards over past two seasons) and true sophomore Malachi Toney (1,211 receiving yards — No. 5 in FBS, 10 touchdowns). Plus, at running back, the Hurricanes sport Mark Fletcher (1,192 yards, 12 touchdowns) and Charmar Brown (474 yards, seven touchdowns), plus Girard Pringle (375 yards, four touchdowns).

That doesn't stop when pivoting towards the defense. The Hurricanes are anchored on the line by Ahmad Moten Sr. (31 tackles, 4.5 sacks) and Armondo Blount (17 tackles, 2.5 sacks), though it's presumably not to the same quality that last season's D-line, which sported Rueben Bain Jr. and Akheem Mesidor, was at. Miami should enter its Nov. 21 clash against Virginia Tech in a significantly higher standing than the Hokies and for good reason.
FPI record: 8-3
Game 12, vs. Virginia: 54.3%
Virginia Tech has not lost to the Cavaliers in Lane Stadium since the 1998 season. The Hokies won 19 of 20 spanning from 2004 to 2024, including 15 straight from 2004 through 2018.

Virginia claimed last year's contest in a 27-7 blowout that only saw Virginia Tech score in the final quarter off a 57-yard house call from freshman wide receiver Shamarius "Snook" Peterkin. In that contest, signal-caller Kyron Drones threw for 78 passing yards on a 4-of-16 rate — a total that decreases to only 21 yards on 3-of-15 completion when disregarding his touchdown pass to Peterkin. The Hokies should enter this Thanksgiving weekend affair in a much better spot at quarterback though, which gives it a fair shot of reclaiming the Commonwealth Clash trophy.
FPI record: 9-3

First video is an interview with the ACC Network. 2nd video (below) is the traditional press conference (along with player interviews)

Media Day Press Conference

🔼 . The course and the court weren’t the only places that the Virginia Tech women’s golf and tennis teams had success this spring.
This week, five golfers earned nationally recognition, while 11 tennis standouts were honored.
Virginia Tech's Valentine Delon, Emerson Dever, Savannah Dupre, Emily Mathewsand Xin Yao Wang were all named to the 2025-26 WGCA All-American Scholar Team.
For tennis, six different men and five different women were recognized with ITA Scholar Athletes honors.

Competitive Balance Round B, Pick 74: Brett Renfrow, RHP
Team: Minnesota Twins
Renfrow is a junior and eligible to return to VT. This is the highest a Hokie has been drafted since RHP Drue Hackenberg was drafted in Round 2, Pick 59 in 2023.
 
Round 9, Pick 255: Luke Craytor, RHP
Team: Chicago White Sox
 
Round 13, Pick 378: Griffin Stieg, RHP
Team: Pittsburgh Pirates
Note: Stieg is a redshirt junior, eligible to return to VT.
 
Round 15, Pick 449: Madden Clement, LHP
Team: Kansas City Royals

Virginia Tech's offense has reasons for optimism in 2026, but some areas warrant more trepidation than others.
Thomas Hughes
20 hours ago

Virginia Tech football is now just under two months away from kicking off its 2026 season against VMI on Sept. 5. With a smidge over 60 days separating this season from kicking off, here's my thoughts as to whether one should buy or sell into any hype surrounding the Hokies' offensive position groups:

Quarterback: Buy
It depends on what exactly you're buying. If you're expecting the performance to be better than last year, then yes, buy in. However, I do think that there's a ceiling to what presumptive starter Ethan Grunkemeyer can do — especially given the second half of the season, where Virginia Tech will make trips to Clemson, SMU and Miami. I have no doubt that the Hokies' quarterback situation is better than last year and will lead to better results. How much better isn't a known quantity yet.

Running Back: Buy
This is the easiest buy on the offensive side of the ball. Virginia Tech has a chance to field one of the ACC's better rushing attacks behind Marcellous Hawkins, whose combination of burst and physicality gives the Hokies a true feature back. Jeffery Overton Jr. has generated plenty of buzz entering his second season, while the room also has enough young depth to withstand the inevitable wear and tear of a 12-game schedule. With new offensive coordinator Ty Howle's offense set to be more balanced, the running game should be the unit that keeps the offense on schedule and opens up opportunities through the air.

Wide Receiver: Wait
I'm right on the fence. While Virginia Tech has proven contributors in Duke transfer Que'Sean Brown (846 receiving yards, five touchdowns for the Blue Devils in 2025) plus returnee Ayden Greene (516 yards, three TDs), the depth behind the two is thin at least for now. Takye Heath, who logged 200 receiving yards, should step in as the starter, but behind those three, it's mostly a gaggle of redshirt freshmen and true freshmen fighting for snaps in a crowded room.

Tight End: Buy
Spring games usually don't offer much, if anything — they're specifically geared to be vanilla and not offer many hints about the offense that will be ran in the fall — but if there was one thing apparent, it was that Virginia Tech's tight ends should feature into the attack far more prominently than before. The Hokies' tight ends combined for 205 of the game's 428 receiving yards on 17 catches, with Penn State transfer Luke Reynolds leading the way with 69 yards. If Reynolds' production can match his potential, then Virginia Tech should be well-set at the position in 2026.

Offensive Line: Sell
There are enough proven players here to believe Virginia Tech won't be a liability up front, but buying into this group as one of the ACC's better lines feels premature, especially given that the majority of the projected starters was present on last year's 3-9 unit. Montavious Cunningham and Johnny Garrett provide experience, while Kyle Altuner was stellar at center last year. Even so, replacing the production and leadership lost from last season won't happen overnight. Offensive line play is built on chemistry as much as talent, and that usually takes time. Entering September, though, I'm selling.

Showtime has arrived for Virginia Tech standouts Ryan Burton and Bo Bassett.
The Hokie wrestling duo will hit the mats for the first time this morning at the UWW U20 Pan-American Championships.
Burton (79kg) and Bassett (65kg) will be sporting the Red, White & Blue this weekend. Action on the mats is set ot begin 8 a.m. this morning in Rio de Janeio.

Virginia Tech football appears poised for a strong 2026 season, looking to pivot far away from a disappointing 3-9 campaign in 2025. If the new-look Hokies meet expectations, these five should see the biggest uptick in their production.

Luke Reynolds, TE
Few players on Virginia Tech's roster are stepping into a better schematic fit than Luke Reynolds. Over the past two years at Penn State, Reynolds compiled 368 receiving yards on 35 catches.

Franklin's offenses have always featured the tight end, and Reynolds arrives in Blacksburg after developing in that exact system at Penn State. With Ethan Grunkemeyer already comfortable throwing to him, the transition should be relatively seamless. Reynolds should also split snaps with Benji Gosnell, creating one of the ACC's deeper tight end rooms. Virginia Tech can also run 12- and 13-personnel to get both on the field, enablign Reynolds to line up in the slot or in the backfield if needed.
What separates Reynolds is his versatility. He's not simply an in-line blocker or a red-zone target. He can stretch the seam, create mismatches against linebackers, and provide a reliable safety valve on third down. If he finishes with 40-plus receptions and six or seven touchdowns, don't be surprised if his overall rating climbs into the upper tier of ACC tight ends.

Takye Heath, WR
Heath has flashed game-breaking speed throughout his career, but consistency and volume haven't always followed. Under a likely more aggressive offensive philosophy, his role feels primed to expand. He's firmly in Virginia Tech's receiver rotation alongside Ayden Greene, Que'Sean Brown and several talented newcomers, and his experience with wide receivers coach Fontel Mines offers him a benefit since he has built-in rapport. Heath recorded 200 receiving yards on 22 catches and found the endzone three times.

Jeffrey Overton Jr., RB
Jeffrey Overton Jr. doesn't necessarily need to become a different player. He just needs to stay on the field for an entire season. He's expected to serve as Virginia Tech's No. 2 running back behind Marcellous Hawkins after showing promise in limited action. Overton Jr. totaled 146 rushing yards over the final four games of the season. A full season of healthy carries should naturally produce more rushing yards, more touchdowns and more opportunities to display his balance and burst. Sometimes availability is the biggest upgrade a player can make.

Kemari Copeland, DT
Copeland may already be one of Virginia Tech's best players, but I believe that there's still another level he can reach. The redshirt senior defensive tackle enters the season as a preseason First Team All-ACC selection and legitimate NFL prospect after steadily improving each year in Blacksburg. Copeland totaled 7.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks in his redshirt junior season.

Ayden Greene, WR
Greene quietly put together an impressive 2025 campaign, leading Virginia Tech with 31 receptions for 516 yards while averaging 16.6 yards per catch. Those numbers should increase in an offense expected to throw the ball more efficiently with Grunkemeyer entering his first full season in command of the offense. Greene has all the tools to become the Hokies' No. 1 target for a second straight season. His route running, body control and ability to win contested catches make him an ideal possession receiver, but there's still room for his production to catch up with his talent.

Virginia Tech made a massive move hiring James Franklin this offseason. It was an exciting change that brought instant energy in Blacksburg.

What are expectations for the Hokies in Franklin's first season? Check out our preview and let us know your thoughts on Virginia Tech in 2026!

Pictured: J.C. Price

Defensive Tackle from 1991-1995, D-line coach from 2021-2025. Defeated UVA as interim head coach in 2021, proceeded to smoke a cigar in Scott Stadium.

Playing Career Highlights set to Linkin Park: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9aXMI0pde5w

BREAKING: The #Hokies add Nigerian center Jessica Dimaro to their 2026-27 roster!

Virginia Tech Women's Hoops Signs Center Jessica Dimaro who hails from Nigeria and has played for the last three seasons in the W League for the Toyota Boshoku Sunshine Rabbits. Dimaro, a 6-foot-4 post player from Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Nigeria, will likely have three years of eligibility at her disposal with the new five-in-five rules granted by the NCAA earlier this summer. She is 20 years old at the time of writing and will turn 21 on July 19. The eligibility clock begins when a player enrolls in college or the academic year right after they turn 19.

In the 2023-24 season, she averaged 13.8 points per game for the Toyota Boshoku Sunshine Rabbits, upping her total to 14.1 points in 2024-25 when she moved up to the Premier division of the W League.

That same season, she also gobbled an imposing 15.3 rebounds per game and swatted away 1.43 shots on average. In that season, she started 25 of 28 games. In 2025-26, she averaged a team-high 12.0 points and 9.7 rebounds per game, per her HokieSports page (The WJBL page does list her totals as 11.46 points and 9.54 rebounds, respectively). Against Charon V-Magic, she went 11-for-15 for a season-high 26 points, adding 12 boards. Against the V-Magic on Jan. 31, she compiled 25 points, a season-high 19 rebounds and four blocks.

(this was previously on the schedule but there is now a press release for it)