Three Early FCS Transfer Portal Targets to Know for Virginia Tech (11/23/22)

While the FBS transfer portal window is still almost two weeks away from opening, the FCS transfer portal window has opened with loads of standout players at that level ready to make the jump up. That includes several players who the Virginia Tech Hokies are interested in, two of whom have already reported VT offers.

Here's a look at three early names to know for the Hokies.

Texas A&M-Commerce WR Andrew Armstrong

One of 2 confirmed public offers that Virginia Tech has sent out so far is Texas A&M-Commerce WR Andrew Armstrong.

Armstrong has built up an extremely strong offer list as shown below (schools listed in their 2023 conferences).

• ACC: Virginia Tech, Louisville, Miami, NC State, Syracuse
• Big 10: Indiana, Purdue
• Big 12: Kansas
• Pac-12: Utah, Washington State
• SEC: Missouri
• Conference USA: Louisiana Tech, Sam Houston State, Western Kentucky

This shouldn't come as a surprise given his impressive combination of size at 6'6'' plus proven production after he had 62 catches for 1,020 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns in 11 games on his way to earning All-Southland Conference First Team honors. Wide receivers is also one of the positions that can see players translate up the ranks best in some ways given how dependent wide receivers are on also having a good QB for their production to state the obvious. He appears to have two years of eligibility remaining as well.

Part of why Armstrong is at the top of this list is the fact that Virginia Tech has former Texas A&M-Commerce DC Xavier Adibi on staff now as a defensive analyst. While this may be a former offensive player with a defensive coach connection, that connection gives the Hokies some valuable familiarity for their pursuit of Armstrong.

The Hokies also have clearly prioritized adding more talent at WR with signs that a significant overhaul may be coming. We may see how much that overhaul is once the transfer portal window for FBS players opens in a couple weeks but regardless, Tech is looking for impact players right now and Armstrong looks to be about as good of an option as there currently is available.

Duquesne WR Abdul Janneh

The other publicly-known offer that Virginia Tech has extended so far is to Duquesne WR Abdul Janneh.

Janneh had this to say about his reaction to receiving an offer from the Hokies.

"It was exciting. I have a lot of family in that area so I’d love to be around them," Janneh said.

He added that he had a "great conversation with the coaches" overall beyond just receiving a VT offer.

Janneh also has built up a solid offer list so far as you can see below (schools listed in their 2023 conferences).

• ACC: Virginia Tech, NC State
• Big 12: UCF
• Pac-12: Washington State
• AAC: Charlotte
• MAC: Toledo
• Mountain West: Utah State
• Sun Belt: Appalachian State, Arkansas State, Coastal Carolina, Georgia Southern, Georgia State, Marshall, Old Dominion

He also mentioned that he has received interest from Auburn, Wisconsin, and Iowa State with likely others also interested as well since sharing that right after he entered the portal.

Janneh had a strong sophomore season as the 6'3'' receiver had 43 catches for 579 yards and 9 touchdowns for the Pittsburgh-area school. The PA native also has good size at 6'3'' with Tech seeming to look for some more bigger, possession-type receivers to pair with Kaleb Smith on the outside.

The fact that Janneh has ties to this region definitely helps Virginia Tech in that regard and adds more intrigue on our end to see how his transfer recruitment develops.

VMI LB Stone Snyder

Two-time FCS All-American LB Stone Snyder is one of the more fascinating transfers currently available on the market.

Snyder has been a tackling machine for the Keydets having 107 tackles including 3 for loss in 10 games this season after having 120 tackles including 11 for loss with 4 sacks in 11 games during the 2021 season. He also has tremendous size at 6'3'' and 240 pounds according to VMI's website while also having in-state ties being a Richmond native who graduated from Monacan HS.

So far, Snyder only has offers from other FCS schools, but higher level offers could be coming. Snyder told us within hours after entering the portal that Virginia Tech, Minnesota, UVA, Tulane, Ball State, and more were showing interest in him.

Snyder is a fascinating prospect who could fit Tech's need at mike linebacker where the Hokies are losing Dax Hollifield ahead of the 2023 season. Tech has veteran Keshon Artis who has shown some promise while they could also move Alan Tisdale to mike with Keli Lawson emerging as a player that can't be kept off the field this season. Will Johnson has some intrigue as well long term along with incoming recruit Aycen Stevens, but it seems like Tech sees the mike spot as a place to pursue some transfer options at for the 2023 season.

Keep an eye on Snyder who has had the production at the FCS level that points to being ready for a jump to the FBS level and maybe into the Power 5 for his final year of college football.