Virginia Tech has a clear established starting duo at defensive tackle in 2025 All-ACC DT Kemari Copeland and veteran DT Elhadj Fall who is moving back inside. That duo gives VT one of the best starting pair of defensive tackles in the ACC on paper looking ahead to the 2026 season.
Behind those two, the state of the room is a little different with a defensive tackle room that is full of youth with little experience, whether that's via returners or transfers. VT undoubtedly will need those guys as even the best defensive tackles may only play 70% of the defensive snaps in a game.
It's a group that defensive coordinator Brent Pry mentioned after the Spring Game was a group he was looking to see continued improvements from beyond spring football.
"I think behind (Kemari Copeland and Elhadj Fall), it's a work in progress. Eric Mensah, Randy Adirika, Gerard Johnson. There's guys that have to keep developing. We've got to get them better by September," Pry said.
Three names in particular do appear to be emerging as the top candidates to earn those backup jobs in returner Gerard Johnson plus two transfers: Eric Mensah from Ohio State and Randy Adirika from Penn State.
Mensah and Adirika have both quickly established that they are serious contenders to earn the backup defensive tackle roles. Both of them are also making a strong impression on the man they are battling to back up, Kemari Copeland.
"In spring ball, a lot of them flashed. I would say one, Randy Adirika's a dog, came from Penn State. He's a dog. Eric Mensah's a dog, came from Ohio State. We got a lot of good additions. Eric Mensah's more of a bigger guy. He's like 320 pounds. Can hold up real well versus the run. Very smart player. Randy Adirika, he's young, but I can already tell he has some instincts. He's going to have the ability to be a really good player for us. As far as D-Tackles, those are two really to look forward to," Copeland said.
