The hits keep coming for this ACC football program.
According to ESPN’s Max Olson, three more Virginia Tech players have entered the NCAA transfer portal, including starting left tackle Xavier Chaplin, starting safety Mose Phillips III and running back Malachi Thomas.
Per Olson, Virginia Tech has already seen 12 scholarship players hit the portal to this point.
A College Football News Third Team All-American last season, the 6-foot-7, 323-pound Chaplin redshirted as a freshman in 2022 before enjoying strong seasons as a starter in 2023 and 2024. He has two years of eligibility remaining.
Phillips, meanwhile, tallied 65 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, one sack, four passes defended, an interception and one forced fumble as a starter this season. The 6-foot-2, 193-pound sophomore has two years of eligibility left.
Thomas, a redshirt junior, was Virginia Tech’s backup running back behind Bhayshul Tuten. He rushed for 1,127 yards with seven rushing touchdowns across his four seasons with the Hokies. The 6-foot, 215-pounder has one year of eligibility remaining.
Virginia Tech starting LT Xavier Chaplin, starting S Mose Phillips III and RB Malachi Thomas have entered the transfer portal, ESPN has learned.
Hokies have lost 12 scholarship players to the portal so far.
— Max Olson (@max_olson) December 11, 2024