When Derrick Canteen arrived as a transfer from Georgia Southern this winter, it opened Virginia Tech cornerback Mansoor Delane’s eyes.

Tech’s breakout star in 2022 as a true freshman watched as Canteen was routinely the first one in the football facility and the last person to leave. He marveled at his fellow cornerback’s dedication to film study and noticed much healthier eating habits than his own fast-food-heavy diet.

“That switched my whole perspective,” Delane said. 

A talent infusion was chief among the Hokies’ goals when they brought in a load of transfers last winter, with Canteen the big defensive addition. Receivers Ali Jennings (Old Dominion), Jaylin Lane (Middle Tennessee) and Da’Quan Felton (Norfolk State), along with running back Bhayshul Tuten (North Carolina A&T), reshaped the offensive room. Simply adding play-makers at positions of need was necessary after the struggles of a 3-8 season.

...