Virginia Tech Football Roster Postseason Status

By: David Cunningham | Managing Editor
Virginia Tech, Amare Barno
Virginia Tech defensive end Amare Barno has opted out of the bowl game. (Jon Fleming)

This page lists all Virginia Tech scholarship football players from the 2021 season that have announced their decision for the postseason and/or next year. The list is broken up into three categories: Transfer Portal, Bowl Game Opt-Outs, and the NFL Draft.

Note: This page will be updated through the month of December and beyond as players announce their future plans. All players are listed in alphabetical order.

Transfer Portal

This is a list of players who have entered the transfer portal, and unless declaring that they are returning to Virginia Tech, are no longer with the program. They each have the opportunity to return to the Hokies in 2022 unless they’ve already committed to another program.

Derrell Bailey Jr., Offensive Lineman: A 6-6, 296-pound COVID-freshman from Greenback, Tenn., Bailey played in two games in his two-year career in Blacksburg: 2020 vs. Liberty, 2021 vs. North Carolina. Originally recruited as a defensive end, he made the move to the offensive line in the offseason. On Nov. 23, Bailey entered the transfer portal, and he committed to USF on Dec. 5.

Braxton Burmeister, Quarterback: A 6-1, 205-pound redshirt junior from La Jolla, Calif., Burmeister transferred to Virginia Tech from Oregon. In 2020, he played in seven games, starting four, and after Hendon Hooker transferred to Tennessee, Burmeister was named the Hokies’ starter for 2021. He played in all 12 contests, completing 142-of-255 attempts for 1,960 yards, 13 touchdowns and four interceptions. Burmeister also rushed for 508 yards and two touchdowns on 116 attempts. Evan G. Watkins of 247Sports first reported Burmeister’s decision to enter the transfer portal on Dec. 18. Should he leave, the Hokies would have a sixth different starting quarterback at the beginning of next season in the last seven years.

Knox Kadum, Quarterback: A 6-3, 185-pound COVID redshirt freshman from Rome, Ga., Kadum entered the transfer portal on Dec. 1. In three seasons with the Hokies, Kadum played in six games and completed 16 of his 30 passes for 219 yards and an interception. He also had 12 rushes that totaled 41 yards. With starting quarterback Braxton Burmeister dealing with injuries throughout the 2021 season, Kadum was called upon on occasion, most notably against Boston College. In Chestnut Hill, he completed seven of his 16 passes for 73 yards.

Tayvion Robinson, Wide Receiver: A star for Virginia Tech for three seasons, Robinson had a huge impact for the Hokies. As a wide receiver, Robinson led the team in receptions in 2020 (38) and 2021 (44). A 5-10, 187-pound COVID sophomore from Virginia Beach, Robinson helped Tech in all facets of the game. He totaled 113 catches for 1,555 yards and nine touchdowns and had 29 rushes for 227 yards. He also threw the ball four times, completing two passes for 23 yards and a touchdown, which came on a “Philly Special” in November at UVa. Robinson was also an elite punt returner, posting 534 yards and a touchdown on 47 returns. A Third Team All-ACC player in 2021, Robinson entered the transfer portal on Dec. 2 and officially announced his commitment to Kentucky on Dec. 15.

Opted Out

This is a list of players that have opted out of the Pinstripe Bowl vs. Maryland on Dec. 29 and will prepare for the NFL Draft.

Amare Barno, Defensive End: A 6-6, 245-pound redshirt junior from Blythewood, S.C., Barno was a matchup nightmare for the Hokies at defensive end over the last two seasons. He exploded in 2020 with 43 tackles, 16 TFLs, 6.5 sacks and two forced fumbles. Though he didn’t have as productive of a year in 2021 – 35 tackles, 5.5 TFLs, 3.5 sacks, 10 QB hurries, one forced fumble – Barno remained a problem for opposing offensive lines. He had a standout performance in the 2021 season opener with six tackles, 3.5 TFLs and 1.5 sacks. Barno opted out on Dec. 6.

Lecitus Smith, Offensive Guard: A 6-3, 320-pound redshirt junior, Smith just finished up his fifth year at Virginia Tech. A leader on the offensive line, Smith started 38 games in 45 appearances over his five seasons in Blacksburg. Unfortunately, he suffered an ankle injury late in the year and couldn’t play effectively. An All-ACC Honorable Mention nominee player in 2021, Smith will opt out to rehab and prepare for the NFL Draft, a decision he announced on Dec. 7.

Tre Turner, Wide Receiver: A 6-2, 190-pound junior from Greensboro, N.C, Turner had an impact in each of his four seasons in Blacksburg. He finished his career with 134 receptions for 2,292 yards and 14 touchdowns. Turner broke the century mark twice in 2021, vs. Richmond (102 yards) and at Georgia Tech (187). His performance in Atlanta is the fifth-most in a game all-time at Virginia Tech (since 1987) and is the second-most in the Justin Fuente era, just shy of Cam Phillips’ 189 in 2017. An All-ACC Honorable Mention nominee player in 2021, Turner opted out on Dec. 1.

Jermaine Waller, Cornerback: A 6-1, 180-pound junior from Washington, D.C., Waller was an All-ACC Honorable Mention in 2019. He started 23 games in 38 appearances over four years and finished with 108 tackles, 5.5 TFLs and 1.5 sacks. Waller also had 17 breakups and 24 pass deflections to go along with his seven interceptions. He had four interceptions in Tech’s first four games of the season in 2021 and was named PFF’s Cornerback of the Week on Oct. 11. Against Pitt on Oct. 16, Waller injured his foot, which limited him at times down the stretch. He announced his decision to opt out of the bowl game and prepare for the NFL Draft on Dec. 9.

Jordan Williams, Defensive Tackle: A 6-5, 285-pound redshirt junior from Virginia Beach, Williams posted 33 tackless in his lone season with the Hokies. A transfer from Clemson where he won two National Championships, Williams recorded four TFLs and 2.5 sacks in 2021, and he also forced a crucial fumble at Virginia that led to a Virginia Tech safety. Williams had a season-high six tackles twice, vs. Richmond and vs. Pitt. An All-ACC Honorable Mention nominee player in 2021, Williams opted out on Dec. 3.

NFL Draft

This is a list of players that will prepare for the the NFL Draft after the Pinstripe Bowl, but will play for the Hokies in the postseason.

Raheem Blackshear, Running Back: A 5-9, 189-pound redshirt junior from Philadelphia, Blackshear transferred into the Virginia Tech program from Rutgers ahead of the 2020 season. In two years with the Hokies, he was a dynamic rusher, totaling 974 yards and eight touchdowns on the ground on 189 carries. Blackshear was also explosive in the passing game, finishing with 41 catches, 398 yards and a score. He was named the ACC Running Back of the Week on Nov. 15 after compiling 157 all-purpose yards. Blackshear announced his decision on Dec. 19.

Changa Hodge, Wide Receiver: A former Villanova wildcat, Hodge transferred to Virginia Tech ahead of the 2020 season. In his first season in Blacksburg, the 6-1, 199-pound receiver played in nine games and caught three passes for 25 yards. Ahead of his senior season, he tore his ACL in April. Despite that, he made an amazing recovery and played for the Hokies just seven months later against Boston College. Hodge has not recorded a catch this season, but did play in each of the last four games. He announced his decision on Dec. 2.

Brock Hoffman, Center: A Coastal Carolina transfer before the 2020 season, Hoffman started 21 of the 22 games he appeared in over a two-year span. The 6-3, 310-pound redshirt junior from Statesville, N.C. was a captain and a leader for Vance Vice’s unit. An All-ACC Honorable Mention in 2021, Hoffman has a large presence in the Blacksburg community, and he earned the Wells Fargo Advisors Humanitarian of the Year Award. Hoffman was also a semifinalist for the Wuerffel Trophy and the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Award, both which recognize student-athletes that serve the community. Hoffman announced his decision on Dec. 8.

James Mitchell, Tight End: A 6-3, 255-pound COVID junior from Big Stone Gap, Mitchell played for the Hokies for four seasons. He provided Tech an important target over the last three seasons, but he unfortunately suffered a season-ending knee injury in September. A captain, Mitchell finished his career with 52 catches for 838 yards and seven touchdowns, and he also rushed for five scores on seven carries. Though he cannot play in the bowl game, he will travel with the team one final time to Yankee Stadium before beginning his NFL Draft preparation. He announced his decision on Dec. 6.

John Parker Romo, Kicker: A Peachtree City, Ga. native who transferred into the Virginia Tech program from Tulsa, Romo played three seasons in Blacksburg. He was Tech’s kickoff specialist all three years but Brian Johnson’s departure at the end of 2020 opened the door for Romo to be the team’s placekicker this year. 111 of Romo’s 185 kickoffs (60%) went for touchbacks in his three seasons. Kicking for the Hokies in 2021, he was a perfect 33-33 on extra points and 17-21 on field goals. He made a career-long 52-yard field goal against Notre Dame in October, and he missed just once in the month of November. The Pinstripe Bowl will be Romo’s last in the maroon and orange, a decision he announced on Dec. 16.

Luke Tenuta, Offensive Tackle: A four-year player at left tackle for Virginia Tech, Tenuta announced on Friday, Dec. 17 that he will prepare for the NFL Draft after the Pinstripe Bowl. The 6-9, 322-pound Crozet, Va. native started 25 games in 33 appearances in his career, including 11 of 12 games in 2021 (DNP at Georgia Tech). He earned Third Team All-ACC honors in 2020.

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  2. I’m somewhat surprised by Tavion entering the portal, especially with how much he has been featured in our lackluster offensive scheme. I figured he’d wait to see who the new OC would be and what type of offense they would be running. Tre Turner is a complete head scratcher to me. I love his effort and no denying he is a great Hokie ambassador. However, heading into the draft I think you’d want to prove you can stay healthy and grasp the idea of buying into a S&C program in order to gain weight. Hope I’m wrong but my guess is UFA or if lucky, 7th round.

      1. He’s on the list because he’s declared for draft it says right there in his section he’s playing in Pinstripe Bowl

  5. It would be helpful if this article included a section on the actual roster numbers as this process plays out. Obviously, attrition will be necessary to get below 85 plus sign our upcoming recruiting class and players out of the portal

  6. I’m wish them each all the best! I think we will get transfers in and have good youth at WR and DE. We will be ok.

  7. Can this tracker also give the opposite: give a running picture if whet the remaining roster will look like as players depart

  8. I guess i should have declared for the NFL draft even though I was a former walk on who was in the 2 deep but primarily played on Special teams. I played more football than Hodge and I would never have thought I was ready for the NFL 😂. We have too many players who haven’t accomplished anything on the college level and think they’re going to the next level. It’s a joke

    3. To be fair, Hodge has been hurt here. Did you have 1,000 yds receiving in a season at the D1 (FCS or FBS) level? Hodge had 1,000+ yds in a season at ‘Nova. He will need to help us in bowl

    1. He literally disappeared. I know he had the announcers talking about how great he was each game but his numbers certainly didn’t show it.

  10. Maryland has apparently had significant portal activity. I’d like to see a report on what Maryland team we expect to see in the bowl.

    1. MD – MIAMI top thirteen team passing with QB’s coming back. NCSU up there too but not sure status of their QB.

    1. He has basically had 6 years of collegiate football. Don’t blame him for trying for whatever shot professionally he may have.

  14. Entering draft as a WR with NO catches this season? You are a Hokie Changa, and I wish you all the best in the world, but this doesn’t seem like the best decision. If this is just a way to hang up the cleats without “quitting” then more power to you.

    1. While I agree he’s VERY unlikely to be drafted, read the note again. He’ll prepare for the draft AFTER the bowl game, but will play for the Hokies in the postseason.

      1. I saw that, glad he is playing one more game, doesn’t change anything I said – except he might end up with some stats with other WR’s out. Quitting football – likely for good – after the season, is not quitting midseason – and declaring for the draft is a way to not quite quit yet – to essentially put that decision in someone else’s hands (I didn’t quit, I just didn’t get drafted). Almost every athlete wants to hold on to whatever level they achieve for as long as they can.

        1. It could be what you suggested as a possibility or it could be that grades are forcing his hand. I’m not saying that’s the reason because I certainly don’t know but it’s a possibility.

      2. I’m hoping that he gets a couple of catches in the bowl game. He worked hard at blocking for the run game and to get back from his ACL injury.

    2. That one is a head scratcher. I wish him well, but if his dream is to really play in the NFL I’m not sure this is the best decision. But it’s his journey and he asked to take whatever road he wants.

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