Virginia Tech received some surprising news at least to fans and the media as 2022 DL signee Rashaud Pernell announced that he has decommitted from the Hokies on Twitter.
Please Respect My Decision … Coaches My Dm Is Open. pic.twitter.com/PnCNGSxHnV
— Rashaud Pernell ⁵³ (@Rashaudd__) May 26, 2022
Pernell was a 2022 signee with Virginia Tech out of Richmond powerhouse Highland Springs HS and was expected to enroll this summer in Blacksburg. The move means that Pernell will never arrive in Blacksburg with it being unclear where his next destination may be given the timing of this move. He has signed a NLI with Virginia Tech though given this news, you would assume that he will be released from it to explore other options.
The news is definitely a surprise to say the least and shrinks what was a large in-state defensive line class with Pernell likely headed for DT. Of course, those numbers may be shifting anyway after Gunner Givens showed promise at DT this spring and definitely may have a chance to really develop there instead of at offensive tackle where most had projected him at the collegiate level.
Pernell's departure does open a scholarship that could be used to target a grad transfer to at least provide some depth for this season and preserve this scholarship for the 2023 class.
It could also be used for a transfer with more than 1 year of eligibility though those options may not be so plentiful given the timing of this in late May. If Tech doesn't find a transfer addition to fill the spot, it wouldn't be surprising to see a walk-on get on scholarship for a year before having it for use with the 2023 class.
