Virginia Tech offensive line is one of the biggest unknowns for the Hokies with fall camp on the horizon and the start of the season less than three months away. That's largely because of the wide open competition that the Hokies have at offensive tackle, with at least five different offensive linemen having a realistic chance at earning the job.
This comes despite the fact that the Hokies returned both of their starters from the start of last season at offensive tackle in Johnny Garrett and Montavious Cunningham. Garrett, the Hokies' starting left tackle last season, seemed like a near certainty to start in 2026 heading into the spring. However, after Garrett finished the spring working primarily as a guard with the second team offensive line, it became clear that both starting offensive tackle jobs are up for grabs and that Garrett might even be behind the eight ball to retain his starting job.
Virginia Tech OL coach Matt Moore also feels that he has a wide open competition across the offensive line with a large group of players being seen as having the potential to start on the offensive line in 2026.
"I keep telling my guys over and over, we're the most competitive room in the building. We've got at least 10, if not 12 guys that we feel like could start for us. And that's what's going to be all summer is pushing them all summer. Who's working harder? Who's getting here earlier? Who's doing more? And then camp's going to be the same thing. It's going to be really, really competitive," Moore said.
Offensive tackle is the epicenter of it with five players reasonably in play for starting jobs.
Let's start with Garrett who was working with the second team offensive line at guard this spring. Despite Garrett working at guard, OL coach Matt Moore did suggest that Garrett is definitely in the hunt to start at tackle still.
"He's got tremendous leadership. His work ethic is off the charts. And right now he's working at guard. We know what he can do at tackle. So we're wanting to see him at that guard spot from an athletic standpoint, how well he runs. He can be a plus guard in this league. But we just didn't get to do it a whole lot in the spring. He had some low back issues. But now he's healthy. He's ready to go. So hopefully we'll see more of it in camp," Moore said.
