Earlier this week, I took a look at how Virginia Tech will go about replacing their offensive transfer portal departures. Today, I'm going to dive into how the Hokies will go about replacing their defensive transfer portal departures.
It's important to note that there could be some fluctuation here given the dismissal of defensive coordinator Chris Marve, though I wouldn't expect any significant change from a defensive schematic point of view with the new hire. However, it could have an impact on some of the transfer targets included on this list.
So with that said, let's dive into how the Hokies will go about replacing their defensive transfer portal departures.
Departure: LB Keli Lawson
Replacement: Kaleb Spencer and Jayden McDonald
Let's start with Keli Lawson who was going to be a contributor on this defense if he returned next year whether that was as a starter or as a top backup. That lack of certainty regarding his role likely played a role in Lawson's decision to head elsewhere in the end, but it does leave a vacancy which the Hokies can fill via a couple current linebackers.
There's the star linebacker spot where Lawson had ascended to the top backup spot behind the graduating Keonta Jenkins during the closing weeks of this season. He would have been in a battle with fellow backup Kaleb Spencer for this job this offseason, with Lawson being the favorite but definitely not having any certainty of winning that job.
Now, the job is clearly Spencer's and that shouldn't be a concern to Tech fans at all given what he saw. His impressive two-game stretch against Miami and Stanford defined what was a good sophomore season for Spencer during which he had 24 tackles including four for loss with a sack plus a forced fumble, an interception, and two pass breakups.
There were times where Spencer played a little too reckless, but it's easier to teach a linebacker who plays with reckless abandonment how to have control rather than teaching a guy who plays too under control how to play with more recklessness. I think Spencer can develop into an All-ACC player at the star spot like Jenkins has been during his time at that spot and can grow a lot this offseason after gaining significant experience in 2024.
The depth at that spot is weaker especially with Gabe Williams having a significant recovery road ahead. This is where someone like Cameren Fleming could prove valuable given how much more he's worked at linebacker this fall.
Lawson also was the top backup at the will linebacker spot this past season, but the Hokies have a strong option to replace him as the top inside linebacker backup in Jayden McDonald.
After being the Hokies' best inside linebacker down the stretch of the 2023 season, it was odd to see McDonald completely fall down the depth chart this past season and only play in two games. However, I've heard since then that McDonald suffered an injury in the Vanderbilt game that largely went under-the-radar and was a main reason why he didn't play much after that. McDonald also is pursuing a medical redshirt which would give him two years of eligibility remaining and provide a longer term boost to Tech's LB depth.
When McDonald pushed his way into VT's linebacker rotation last season, he played well finishing the 2023 season with 30 tackles including one for loss while earning a 68.9 PFF grade. There's no doubt that McDonald can be trusted as a lead backup at the inside linebacker spots while also creating space for young and incoming guys like Brett Clatterbaugh to compete for additional minutes in that rotation.
While Lawson's loss is disappointing given his upside, the Hokies have the pieces for a strong linebacker unit in 2024 and to fill Lawson's gap pretty well.
