This season, the focus of the transfer portal for the Virginia Tech football team was on the defensive side of the ball. Most of the additions came along the linebacker line, but the Hokies also addressed the linebacker need.

Sam Brumfield, who transferred from Middle Tennessee State, came out of the portal to fill a big hole, and if all goes well, he’ll sneak in and play the mic. Last season, Tech was 68th in yards allowed per carry, and Brumfield should help change that. After that, Virginia Tech fills the hole there and experiments with rotations in camp. Continuing our preseason position search for Virginia Tech, we’re looking at the linebackers.

Sam Brumfield

One of the lesser-known additions to the transfer portal, Brumfield is a key addition to the secondary. After making 81 tackles for the Blue Raiders last season, he should fit easily into Virginia Tech’s lineup. He only played two games against power schools last season, so this will be an early test to see what the 6-foot-1 Mississippi native can do against those schools.

Keonta Jenkins

Looking for a versatile linebacker? Jenkins is your guy. He was likely the starter and the star, having 10 tackles for loss, one interception, two forced fumbles and three quarterback hurries last season. After starting in the secondary, he has established himself as a linebacker and will need to make more of an impact this season, especially in stopping the run.

Keli Lawson

Last season, Lawson had 2.5 sacks, six pass breakups and, even more impressively, he led the team with 80 tackles despite only playing in eight games, while also forcing a fumble and an interception. He finished in double figures in tackles three times in 2023, with a season-high 14 against Purdue. He had 12 tackles against Marshall and 11 against Rutgers. Lawson is athletic and can be one of the better linebackers in the ACC this season if all goes well.

Jaden Keller

In April, ESPN called Jaden Keller a breakout candidate for the Hokies this season, and I agree. He’s had a very good spring, and Pry has noticed.

“He’s had a great spring. If I had to pick the three or four best guys, he’d be one of them.”

– Brent Pry on Jaden Keller

Over the last two seasons, he has recorded 47 tackles, including 21 solo, and one sack. The Tennessee native is another very good athlete at 6’3″ and 235 pounds and could spend a lot more time in the rotation this season and have a big impact.

Jayden McDonald

Another good linebacker is McDonald, who started eight games last season and made an impact. A three-star recruit fresh out of high school, he’s expected to get more playing time this season and make a much bigger impact.

Some other young players in camp include Gabe Williams, Will Johnson, Aycen Stevens, Miami transfer Kaleb Spencer and Caleb Woodson. This group is expected to make plays and be better against the run for the Hokies and will have a chance to get where they want to go in 2024.