Virginia Tech added to their defensive line with Ohio State transfer DT Eric Mensah.
The Stafford, VA, native was formerly a Virginia Tech commit in the class of 2024 before flipping to Ohio State. Mensah was a three-star prospect and top-15 player in the state coming out of Mountain View High School.
The 6’2”, 302-pound DT played in four games for the Buckeyes, recording two tackles during his two years in Columbus, both of which came this season against Grambling. Mensah will have three years of eligibility left as a redshirt sophomore, though given the injury issues he dealt with this season, it’s definitely possible that he could gain an extra year of eligibility.
Eric Mensah is one of six defensive line transfer additions, though he is the first pure interior defensive lineman. The other five are Penn State DL Daniel Jennings, Missouri DE Javion Hilson, Baylor DE Kamauryn Morgan, Penn State DE Cortez Harris, and Penn State DE Mylachi Williams.
He’ll join a defensive tackle rotation that recently had an influx of announcements of returning players on the interior. All-ACC Third Teamer Kemari Copeland and Emmett Laws will be to lead that group, but Mensah will have plenty of opportunity to earn playing time and even battle Laws for a starting DT job given how that room is currently constructed. Elhadj Fall also has the size to move inside depending on what DL coach Sean Spencer feels is the best position for Fall.
Check out all our coverage of Virginia Tech and the 2026 transfer portal cycle here.
