Virginia Tech Lands Commitment From Nebraska DE/LB Transfer Pheldarius Payne

Virginia Tech landed their fifth transfer of the offseason this evening as 757 native and Nebraska DE/LB Pheldarius Payne committed to Virginia Tech.

Payne chose the Hokies over interest from across the country including Power 5 programs like Indiana and Duke. He will have one year of eligibility remaining.

Payne was a rotational 3-4 OLB for Nebraska and had 40 tackles including 4.5 for loss with 3 sacks plus 2 pass breakups during his time in Lincoln. With Tech running a 4-3 defense and Payne having plus DE size at 6'3'' and around 260 pounds, expect Payne to move to DE rather than shift to OLB.

Defensive end had emerged as a top priority with TyJuan Garbutt on one side set but the other DE spot being open with young guns Cole Nelson and Mattheus Carroll not necessarily ready to become high level ACC starters. The addition of Payne gives the Hokies a stopgap who should have plenty of upside and will get a great chance to be a full-time starter for the first time in his career.

We will have more as this story develops.