After losing out on Appalachian State OL Troy Everett to Oklahoma, Virginia Tech shifted their focus heavily onto Gardner-Webb's two-time All-Big South First Team OT Clayton Frady. Despite plenty of competition for one of the few proven transfer offensive tackles in the transfer portal, Virginia Tech was able to stave off the competition to land a commitment from Frady.
Committed to Virgina Tech! Excited to be apart of the Hokie family. Can’t wait to get to work! @CoachPryVT @TylerBowen @Crook_VT @HokiesFB pic.twitter.com/6X0TSEEayY
— Clayton Frady (@FradyClayton) June 4, 2023
Frady chose the Hokies over many other programs including the three other schools he visited: Duke, Cincinnati, and Appalachian State. He heads to Blacksburg with two years of eligibility remaining.
During his three seasons at Gardner-Webb, Frady was consistently one of the best offensive tackles in his conference earning All-Big South First Team honors in spring 2021 and 2022 along with All-Big South Second Team honors in fall 2021.
Frady joins a strong scholarship transfer class that includes the following players most of whom arrived in Blacksburg this spring other than Florida DE Antwaun Powell-Ryland.
- QB Kyron Drones (Baylor)
- RB Bhayshul Tuten (NC A&T)
- WR Ali Jennings (Old Dominion)
- WR Jaylin Lane (MTSU)
- WR Da'Quan Felton (Norfolk State)
- DE Antwaun Powell-Ryland (Florida)
- CB Derrick Canteen (Georgia Southern)
He is the third scholarship transfer addition from the FCS ranks along with former NC A&T RB Bhayshul Tuten and former Norfolk State WR Da'Quan Felton. VMI LB Stone Snyder will also be joining the Hokies this summer though he is not joining the staff on scholarship.
Landing Frady is a big time pickup for the Hokies given the lack of proven offensive linemen that are in the transfer portal at this time of year and the regional Power 5 competition for his commitment with Duke and Cincinnati.
Frady should be able to come in and immediately compete with Parker Clements and Xavier Chaplin for a starting offensive tackle job though Clements is still very likely to be a starter regardless. At worst, Frady's addition boosts the depth in Virginia Tech's OL room and could allow Tech to move one of Frady or Chaplin to guard to help with their concerns at right guard.
Frady also brings tons of experience logging almost 2,000 snaps over his past three seasons at Gardner-Webb. He also has steadily improved finishing this past year with a grade in the low 70s from Pro Football Focus while grading above 67 in pass and run blocking.
