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2028 Virginia Tech Recruiting Class Report
Virginia Tech Reloads with Balanced 2028 Recruiting Class and Portal Haul

Blacksburg, VA — Brent Pry and his staff have once again delivered a balanced and nationally competitive class, blending high-upside high school signees with proven veteran transfers. Ranked among the top 25 nationally, the 2028 haul provides both immediate contributors and long-term developmental talent, solidifying Virginia Tech’s rise back into the ACC elite.

Headliners: Blue-Chip Talent in Key Positions

The Hokies struck gold in the secondary, landing Quin Moffett, a 6’1”, 169-pound four-star cornerback from Reno, Nevada. Ranked No. 75 nationally and the No. 6 CB in the country, Moffett is the crown jewel of the class with the potential to be a shutdown presence from day one.

Complementing him is Matthew Cleveland, a 6’1”, 207-pound safety from Lindenhurst, New York. Ranked No. 144 nationally and the No. 4 free safety in the nation, Cleveland brings physicality and range, giving Tech a back-end duo with All-ACC potential.

Offensively, Sidney Maybin, a 5’9”, 169-pound wideout from Indiana, adds quickness and polish. Ranked No. 246 nationally, he projects as a dynamic slot weapon capable of making an early impact.

In the front seven, Amani Fokou, a 6’0”, 238-pound linebacker (No. 249 nationally), and Dwayne Melvin, a 6’4”, 295-pound defensive lineman (No. 315 nationally), give Tech toughness, athleticism, and depth in the trenches — cornerstones of Pry’s defensive philosophy.

Key Additions: Versatility and Depth

The class features several versatile four-stars who fit multiple roles:

• Jacques Davey (ATH, Bradenton, FL) — A 6’3”, 238-pound multipurpose athlete with linebacker/tight end flexibility.
• Kurtis Egan (ATH, Lawrenceville, GA) — A 6’2”, 198-pound athlete with the tools to contribute on offense or defense.
• Kionte Knight (TE, Saint Pauls, NC) — A 6’6”, 218-pound receiving tight end who creates mismatches in the passing game.

Among three-stars, Fredrick DeBose (CB, Stafford, VA) and Stephen Blank (CB, Clifton, VA) reinforce corner depth, while Alex Lutman (ATH, MD) and Timmy Marcus (ATH, MA) offer positional versatility.

Vonn Yusaf (WR, VA) adds quickness, Dalton Lipton (DT, VA) provides power inside, and George Ekuban (EDGE, VA) is a long-term project with intriguing size and athleticism.

Transfer Portal Reinforcements: Experience & Star Power

Virginia Tech was aggressive in the portal, landing four senior four-stars who immediately raise the program’s ceiling:

Jon Reynaud (WR, Cincinnati) — At 6’3”, 209 pounds, the No. 10 WR nationally brings size, experience, and proven production.
Rocco Franco (HB, Notre Dame) — A 6’2”, 225-pound top-five halfback nationally, Franco is a physical runner who can take over the backfield.
Kamron Beavers (EDGE, Ole Miss) — The No. 1 edge defender in the portal at 6’3”, 260, Beavers is a game-changer in the pass rush.
Hardy Watts (OG, Wisconsin) — At 6’5”, 308 pounds, the No. 3 guard nationally provides immediate reinforcement in the trenches.

Depth pieces include Tarik Stanley (REDG, Florida), a powerful rotational edge defender, and Jayden Shipps (CB, Maryland), a 6’1” cover corner with experience and versatility.

Closing Thoughts

The 2028 class underscores Virginia Tech’s ability to win high-profile recruiting battles while leveraging the portal for instant impact players. With seven four-stars among the high school signees and four more from the portal, Pry has stocked the roster with both star power and balance.

Moffett and Cleveland headline a secondary that could define the next era of Hokies defense, Maybin injects explosiveness into the passing game, and the additions of Franco, Beavers, and Watts through the portal give Tech proven stars at critical positions.

This is a statement class — one that provides immediate impact talent, long-term upside, and the depth required to compete for ACC titles and beyond.

High School Recruits

Quin Moffett – CB (4)
6’1” / 169 lbs | National: 75 | State (NV): 2 | Pos (CB): 6
Reno, NV
Elite cover corner with length and quickness. Projects as a future shutdown defender.

Matthew Cleveland – FS (4)
6’1” / 207 lbs | National: 144 | State (NY): 3 | Pos (FS): 4
Lindenhurst, NY
Versatile safety ranked No. 4 nationally at his position. Brings toughness and range.

Sidney Maybin – WR (4)
5’9” / 169 lbs | National: 246 | State (IN): 7 | Pos (WR): 45
West Lafayette, IN
Shifty receiver with explosive speed. A big-play threat from the slot.

Amani Fokou – WILL (4)
6’0” / 238 lbs | National: 249 | State (SC): 4 | Pos (WILL): 24
Greenwood, SC
Physical linebacker with sideline-to-sideline range. Early playing time potential.

Dwayne Melvin – DL (4)
6’4” / 295 lbs | National: 315 | State (NC): 11 | Pos (DL): 18
Mooresville, NC
Powerful defensive lineman with scheme versatility.

Jacques Davey – ATH (4)
6’3” / 238 lbs | National: 316 | State (FL): 46 | Pos (ATH): 22
Bradenton, FL
Athletic, raw talent who could develop on either side of the ball.

Kurtis Egan – ATH (4)
6’2” / 198 lbs | National: 363 | State (GA): 42 | Pos (ATH): 24
Lawrenceville, GA
Versatile playmaker with ball skills. Depth and flexibility piece.

Kionte Knight – TE (4)
6’6” / 218 lbs | National: 384 | State (NC): 13 | Pos (TE): 15
Saint Pauls, NC
Tall, athletic tight end. Mismatch weapon in the passing game.

Fredrick DeBose – CB (3)
6’0” / 177 lbs | National: 448 | State (VA): 8 | Pos (CB): 31
Stafford, VA
Physical corner with solid technique.

Vonn Yusaf – WR (3)
5’9” / 168 lbs | National: 567 | State (VA): 11 | Pos (WR): 109
Smithfield, VA
Speedy receiver who thrives in space.

Timmy Marcus – ATH (3)
6’4” / 207 lbs | National: 700 | State (MA): 11 | Pos (ATH): 137
District Heights, MA
Long, projectable athlete with multiple position fits.

Stephen Blank – CB (3)
6’0” / 162 lbs | National: 790 | State (VA): 16 | Pos (CB): 52
Clifton, VA
Quick, instinctive defender.

Alex Lutman – ATH (3)
5’10” / 182 lbs | National: 815 | State (MD): 13 | Pos (ATH): 99
District Heights, MD
Compact athlete with versatility and special teams value.

Dalton Lipton – DT (3)
5’10” / 182 lbs | National: 966 | State (VA): 21 | Pos (DT): 52
Chantilly, VA
High-motor defensive tackle with rotational upside.

George Ekuban – EDGE (3)
6’6” / 224 lbs | National: 1720 | State (VA): 32 | Pos (EDGE): 132
Chantilly, VA
Lengthy edge defender with developmental upside.

Transfer Portal Additions

Jon Reynaud – WR (4, SR)
6’3” / 209 lbs | National: 34 | State (PA): 3 | Pos (WR): 10
Harrison City, PA | Prev: Cincinnati
Big-bodied, polished receiver ready to contribute immediately.

Rocco Franco – HB (4, SR)
6’2” / 225 lbs | National: 38 | State (FL): 4 | Pos (HB): 5
Apopka, FL | Prev: Notre Dame
Powerful workhorse back with proven production.

Kamron Beavers – EDGE (4, SR)
6’3” / 260 lbs | National: 43 | State (MS): 1 | Pos (EDGE): 1
Bay Springs, MS | Prev: Ole Miss
Top-ranked edge defender in the portal. All-ACC potential.

Hardy Watts – OG (4, SR)
6’5” / 308 lbs | National: 50 | State (MA): 1 | Pos (OG): 3
Boston, MA | Prev: Wisconsin
Dominant interior lineman who adds size and toughness.

Tarik Stanley – EDGE (3, SR)
6’4” / 253 lbs | National: 325 | State (DE): 2 | Pos (EDGE): 18
Washington, DE | Prev: Florida
Steady veteran edge rusher who strengthens depth.

Jayden Shipps – CB (3, JR)
6’1” / 187 lbs | National: 549 | State (MD): 12 | Pos (CB): 50
Severn, MD | Prev: Maryland
Experienced corner with size and technique.

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2027 College Football National Awards
A Season of Standouts – Recognizing Excellence Across the Gridiron

The 2027 season belonged to Clemson’s veteran quarterback Christopher Vizzina, who put the finishing touches on a legendary career by sweeping college football’s top honors. The Tigers’ super senior took home the Heisman Trophy, Maxwell Award, Walter Camp Award, Davey O’Brien Award, and Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, a résumé that cements him as one of the ACC’s all-time greats. Fittingly, his head coach Dabo Swinney was named Bear Bryant Coach of the Year, underscoring Clemson’s national dominance.

Offensive Awards

Davey O’Brien: Christopher Vizzina (SR, Clemson)
Johnny Unitas Golden Arm: Christopher Vizzina (SR, Clemson)
Doak Walker Award: Daniel Hill (JR, LSU)
John Mackey Award: Jamari Johnson (SR, Oregon)
Outland Trophy: OC DJ Chester (SR, LSU)
Rimington Trophy: OC DJ Chester (SR, LSU)
Fred Biletnikoff Award: Mike Matthews (SR, Tennessee)
Shaun Alexander Award: QB Patrick Rasheed (FR, West Virginia)

Defensive Awards

Virginia Tech once again flexed its reputation as a defensive factory:

Chuck Bednarik & Bronko Nagurski: Krystian Williams (SR, Virginia Tech)
Lombardi Award & Edge Rusher of the Year: Anthony Bynum (SR, Indiana)
Dick Butkus Awards: Brian Robledo (SO, Virginia Tech)
Paycom Jim Thorpe Award: Krystian Williams (SR, Virginia Tech)

Williams’ rare triple crown made him one of the most decorated defenders in program history, while sophomore linebacker Robledo’s Butkus Award win signals the next generation of Hokie dominance.

Special Teams Awards

Lou Groza Award: Jamie Funk (FR, Memphis)
Ray Guy Award: Ty Carroll (SR, South Alabama)
Jet Award: KR/PR Antonio Nunn (SO, ULM)

Coaching Recognition
Broyles Award: OC Joe Trautwein (Central Michigan) – Top Assistant Coach

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2027 Virginia Tech Football Postseason Honors
Award Winners and All-American Selections
Virginia Tech cemented itself as one of the nation’s most decorated programs in 2027, with defensive stars sweeping national awards and earning widespread recognition on All-American and All-ACC teams.

National Award Winners

Krystian Williams (SR, CB) – Chuck Bednarik Award, Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Jim Thorpe Award
Brian Robledo (SO, MIKE) – Dick Butkus Award

Williams’ historic triple crown placed him among the elite corners in college football history, while Robledo became the latest Hokie linebacker to win the prestigious Butkus Award — signaling Virginia Tech’s continued dominance at the position.

All-American Honors

First Team:

Elhadj Fall (SR, DT)
Brian Robledo (SO, MIKE)
Krystian Williams (SR, CB

Second Team:

Dom Tonyan (FR, SS)

Freshman All-American Team:

Jose Mahoney (FR, DT)
George Feeney (FR, DT)
Dom Tonyan (FR, SS)

With three First-Team All-Americans and a total of six honorees, the Hokies’ defense showcased its depth and balance across every level.

All-ACC Selections

First Team All-ACC:

Elhadj Fall (SR, DT)
Brian Robledo (SO, MIKE)
Krystian Williams (SR, CB)
Dom Tonyan (FR, SS)

Second Team All-ACC:

Gabe Williams (JR, SAM)

Freshman All-ACC Team:

James Wilkins (FR, TE)
Derek Carr (FR, LEDG)
Jose Mahoney (FR, DT)
George Feeney (FR, DT)
Dom Tonyan (FR, SS)

From veterans like Fall and Williams to rising stars such as Robledo and Tonyan, the Hokies blended experience with youth to dominate nationally and in the ACC. With this mix of talent, Virginia Tech’s defense continues to be the gold standard of college football.

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