Virginia Tech RB Bryce Duke will enter the transfer portal according to a report from Evan Watkins of 247 Sports' VT Scoop.
Virginia Tech RB Bryce Duke to enter the NCAA Transfer Portal @VTScoop247 https://t.co/H7sY1FFqV3
— EvanGWatkins247 (@EvanGWatkins247) November 30, 2023
Duke is the second Hokie who will enter the transfer portal joining starting TE Dae'Quan Wright who confirmed that to us earlier this week. Duke ran for 128 yards on 29 carries and had five catches for 48 yards and a touchdown during his time at Virginia Tech. He will have two years of eligibility remaining, plus a redshirt year.
Duke's departure from Virginia Tech is disappointing but not surprising given the fact that he was buried on the depth chart behind Bhayshul Tuten and Malachi Thomas. He also has the same eligibility as Thomas which made a path to becoming a starter at VT less likely.
Losing Duke does hurt Tech's RB depth some though the Hokies have an intriguing group of younger running backs to fill behind Tuten and Thomas headlined by Jeremiah Coney. At this time, I don't expect Virginia Tech to pursue a RB in the transfer portal though losing Duke could mean that Tech tries to add a high school RB like three-star Traevon Dunbar.
Of course, this decision to transfer may have been less likely if the Hokies would have redshirted him last season rather than use him purely as a second return option on kickoffs. That was a mistake at the time and has pushed Duke into a situation where a transfer was almost a necessity if he wanted a path to becoming a starter.
