Our Virginia Tech Football recruiting breakdown series continues on the defensive side of the football moving to linebacker. You can check out the rest of our position-by-position breakdowns at the link below.
Virginia Tech's lack of a true mike linebacker who was ready to go proved problematic during the 2023 season. The Hokies do have Aycen Stevens long-term but he was coming off injury at the time. However, this offseason has been about adding more inside linebacker types starting in the transfer portal with Sam Brumfield and continuing on the high school recruiting front especially in the 2025 class.
So with that in mind, let's dive into where things stand with the Hokies' linebacker recruiting.
2025: Brett Clatterbaugh On Board But Class Not Finished
Virginia Tech's linebacker class already has a headline name in four-star LB Brett Clatterbaugh.
The standout in-state linebacker from Culpeper, VA was a major get early in the cycle when he chose the Hokies over offers from Georgia, Notre Dame, Penn State, and many others. It was a strong early statement that the Hokies landing multiple top 10 in-state recruits again was something that could absolutely continue and even grow beyond the 2024 class.
Clatterbaugh profiles as an inside linebacker though some have speculated that he could grow into a defensive end given that he already is 6'2'' and 230 pounds. Regardless, Clatterbaugh is a big time talent who was a massive get that showed the Hokies have staying power once again among the top recruits in Virginia and that the 2024 cycle wasn't a fluke for Brent Pry and his staff.
However, the Hokies aren't done at linebacker with just Clatterbaugh, with two other linebackers set to take official visits in the coming weeks.
Let's start with three-star LB Brennan Johnson out of Highland Springs, VA. Johnson is the son of former Virginia Tech DB Loren Johnson and the brother of current Virginia Tech DB Braylon Johnson.
