Five Players Virginia Tech Should Retain for the 2026 Season

Not much is going right for Virginia Tech football.

The Hokies dropped to 3-6 on Saturday after No. 16 Louisville rode a second-half surge to victory. Virginia Tech played the Cardinals tough — Tech led 16-7 at halftime and was within striking distance until late in the fourth quarter.

Unfortunately, Louisville was just better. The Cardinals are a solid bunch and could find themselves competing for a conference title in a few weeks.

Virginia Tech will not be playing a December game this year. Instead, the Hokies will be onboarding a new head coach and determining which players on the current roster will return in 2026.

If I were in charge, here are five players I would prioritize bringing back to Blacksburg for next season.

Marcellous Hawkins, RB (Redshirt Junior)

No player on offense has been as consistently productive as Marcellous Hawkins. Since Week 1 against South Carolina, Hawkins has been Virginia Tech’s most reliable offensive weapon.

Hawkins attracted broader attention a couple of weeks ago when the former Division II running back gouged Cal for 167 yards on the ground. He’s averaging nearly six yards per carry and has been efficient as a receiver as well.

Aside from being an elusive runner, Hawkins is Virginia Tech’s best pass blocker at running back. He consistently wins his battles against opposing pass rushers, grading out at 77.9 in pass blocking, according to Pro Football Focus.

Hawkins’ versatility should make him an attractive option to start in 2026, regardless of who Virginia Tech hires as head coach. At minimum, Hawkins would be a great third-down back with the ability to help the offense move the chains.

Kemari Copeland, DT (Redshirt Junior)

Virginia Tech’s coaching staff identified Kemari Copeland as the unquestioned leader of the defense well before the 2025 season began, and it’s easy to see why.

Copeland has consistently been Tech’s best defender. Pro Football Focus has graded him at 69 or higher against the run in seven of the Hokies’ nine games. He leads the team in sacks and tackles for loss and is tied for third in total tackles. Despite some chaos around him, Copeland continues to hold his own and do his job.

Unfortunately, Copeland’s success will likely make him a sought-after player this offseason. Copeland is a Virginia native, but money talks, and the Hokies will need to ensure he’s well compensated.

If Virginia Tech can retain Copeland, he’ll once again be the unquestioned leader of the defense for his final season of college football.

Noah Chambers, LB (Freshman)

First-year linebackers tend to redshirt or contribute on special teams. It’s rare to see them play consistently, let alone show flashes of brilliance.

That’s exactly what Noah Chambers has done. Since getting on the field against NC State, Chambers has looked like the most athletic linebacker on the roster. He flies to the ball, tackles soundly with power, and has shown some prowess as a pass rusher.

Linebacker has been a sore spot for the Hokies for much of my adult life. As a first-year player, Chambers has shown a higher ceiling than anyone I’ve seen play the position since Tremaine Edmunds.

To be clear, Chambers is not a finished product. He’s been caught on misdirection and hasn’t been great in coverage. Still, Chambers’ physical tools give him the foundation to be great. As he learns the position and gets more reps, he should grow into a very solid linebacker.

Emmett Laws, DL (Redshirt Freshman)

For one reason or another, the best Virginia Tech defensive linemen in my adult life have often been undersized. Woody Baron immediately comes to mind.

At 6 feet tall and 293 pounds, Laws isn’t central casting, but that doesn’t matter. What does matter is how productive he’s been in limited snaps. Laws’ Pro Football Focus grade this season is 75.4, which ranks sixth on the defense.

I anticipate a lot of turnover on the defensive line heading into 2026. Kody Huisman, Ben Bell and Immanuel Hickman have all exhausted their eligibility, and as mentioned above, Copeland will generate interest elsewhere. Teams may even look at Laws.

But if Laws sticks around, he could be starting in 2026. Virginia Tech’s next head coach should make that clear to Laws this winter.

Ja’Ricous Hairston, TE (Redshirt Sophomore)

Benji Gosnell was supposed to play an integral part in Virginia Tech’s offense this season, especially in the passing game. Unfortunately, that hasn’t happened.

Shockingly enough, Gosnell hasn’t even been the best tight end on the field this season. That title goes to Ja’Ricous Hairston, whose three touchdown receptions are tied for the team lead.

Hairston started seeing the field more after Tech’s loss to South Carolina. His first touchdown reception came against Vanderbilt, and his next two came against Georgia Tech a couple of weeks ago.

Far from a finished product, Hairston has proven he’s a red zone threat and capable of holding his own. Should Gosnell return to Blacksburg for his fifth season, Hairston may decide he needs an opportunity to start elsewhere.