Virginia Tech has added some more depth on the offensive side of the trenches after landing a commitment from Auburn OL Jaden Muskrat.
He is the ninth transfer portal addition this spring joining North Dakota State DT Kody Huisman, West Virginia OL Gavin Crawford, Hawaii CB Caleb Brown, Georgia Southern DT Elhadj Fall, Iowa State LS Drew Doyle, Temple LB Antwone Santiago, Jackson State WR Isaiah Spencer, USF DL Immanuel Hickman, and North Carolina LB Michael Short.
He has one year of eligibility remaining.
After spending his first three season at Tulsa including the 2022 season as the Golden Hurricanes starting right tackle, Muskrat spent the past two seasons as a backup at Auburn primarily at tackle while also being a regular on field goal protection units. He earned a 62.9 PFF grade for the 220 offensive snaps he played for Auburn in 2023 followed by only 27 offensive snaps this past season.
At a minimum, Muskrat will be able to come in and provide quality depth at tackle and guard. He fits the mold of a classic swing offensive lineman who gives Matt Moore plenty of versatility in the trenches.
However, his versatility could also allow the Hokies to have two different options if he proves he’s one of the best five lineman, start him at right guard or start him at right tackle and move Tomas Rimac to right guard.
For now, it’s fair to expect Muskrat to get involved with the competition at right guard, currently headlined by Brody Meadows and Montavious Cunningham.
Virginia Tech originally recruited Muskrat two springs ago when he entered the transfer portal out of Tulsa and landed at Auburn. Tech having his former head coach at Tulsa and 2023 offensive coordinator at Auburn in new OC Philip Montgomery likely helped the Hokies both in their evaluation of Muskrat and in their pursuit of him.
We will have more as this story develops.
