Virginia Tech landed their most impactful addition of 2020 to date as Youngstown State DE Justus Reed, one of the top available defensive grad transfers, announced his commitment to Virginia Tech.
What’s good Sacksburg?? 🦃 #FL2VT #GoHokies pic.twitter.com/EbVYj9UTYh
— Jay (@justusreed4) April 17, 2020
Reed has been the Hokies' top grad transfer priority for months now with Virginia Tech being the first to contact and offer him. Since then, the Hokies have continued to be the frontrunner with Reed naming Virginia Tech his leader just a few weeks ago.
Justus Reed was receiving lots of interest beyond Virginia Tech, choosing the Hokies over multiple other high-profile programs including Florida State, Baylor, Texas Tech, Boston College, and Boise State.
Reed gives the Hokies a much-needed size and talent boost at defensive end at 6'3'' and 270 pounds. Reed was also a dominant force last season and one of FCS's best pass rushers with 12.5 sacks among his 19 total tackles for loss along with 42 total tackles, 2 forced fumbles, 5 QB hurries, and 2 pass breakups.
Justus Reed also has a unique journey as he is entering his seventh year of college football having receive multiple waivers due to past injuries. Coming out of high school, Reed was not offered by Virginia Tech, but he was offered by a Justin Fuente-led Memphis program.
Reed is expected to be a starter for the Hokies at defensive end and should definitely boost the Hokies' pass rush. Combine that with a healthy TyJuan Garbutt and a veteran Emmanuel Belmar to likely be the third DE, and the concerns at defensive end have been largely alleviated.
