BLACKSBURG, VA – As the Virginia Tech Hokies gear up for a pivotal 2025 season, head coach Brent Pry has been making aggressive moves in the transfer portal to reshape a roster that’s in need of depth and experience. But recent developments have raised eyebrows about the momentum of the Hokies’ offseason recruiting push.
One of the more surprising turns came this week when Hudson Miller, a standout linebacker from Purdue and a top target for Virginia Tech, committed to the University of Toledo. The move came shortly after a scheduled visit to Virginia Tech was abruptly canceled, leaving fans and analysts questioning what might have gone wrong.
Miller, who entered the portal with three years of eligibility and a reputation for sideline-to-sideline speed, was expected to provide immediate impact in a Hokies linebacker unit that has lost key contributors to graduation and the NFL Draft. His commitment to a Mid-American Conference (MAC) program instead of Virginia Tech—a Power Five school—was unexpected and fueled speculation about potential internal or logistical issues affecting Pry’s recruiting efforts.
For Coach Pry, who is entering his fourth season in Blacksburg, this offseason has been framed as a make-or-break moment. The 2024 season ended with a disappointing 6–7 record, and Pry responded swiftly with significant coaching staff changes. He brought in Philip Montgomery, the former Tulsa head coach, as offensive coordinator and Sam Siefkes as the new defensive coordinator in hopes of jumpstarting both sides of the ball.
While several high-upside players have joined the Hokies via the portal—including recent defensive additions like Caleb Brown (Hawaii) and Kody Huisman (North Dakota State)—the loss of a prospect like Miller, especially under unclear circumstances, adds pressure to get future visits and commitments right.
Analysts say it’s not time to panic, but it’s certainly time to recalibrate. “Virginia Tech still has strong transfer targets on the board, but this kind of miss shows how competitive and unpredictable the portal landscape really is,” said one ACC recruiting insider.Still, optimism remains within the program. Coach Pry has restructured his recruiting department and support staff, doubling down on the infrastructure needed to attract and retain top talent. Fans are hoping the Hokies can close out the summer strong with key portal additions and that the coaching shake-up will translate into improved results on the field.
As for Hudson Miller, his commitment to Toledo represents a significant win for the Rockets—and a missed opportunity the Hokies will be eager to offset.
