Virginia Tech’s football season has concluded, and as attention shifts to the upcoming transfer portal, a review of the 2025 transfer class provides insights into their inaugural performances in Blacksburg. The Hokies brought in several players, notably under the guidance of new Offensive Coordinator Matt Moore, who sought to bolster the team’s competitiveness.
One of the prominent transfers is Tomas Rimac, an offensive lineman who followed Moore from West Virginia. Despite high expectations, Rimac faced challenges throughout the season, moving between tackle and guard positions due to instability in the offensive line. His performance reflected this struggle, as he graded at just 64.3, a significant drop from his 78.1 grade in 2024. While he excelled in pass blocking with a grade of 68.0, his run blocking suffered, marking a decrease of over 14 points from his previous season.
Another transfer from West Virginia, Kyle Altuner, took on the center position for Virginia Tech. As a redshirt freshman, Altuner’s contribution surprised many, despite finishing the season with a lower grade of 56.3 compared to Rimac. He participated in all 12 games and earned a respectable run-blocking grade of 61.6. With Moore returning, there is potential for Altuner to transition from center to guard, as the latter position is often perceived as more impactful on the offensive line.
Additionally, Stewart, who transferred from Bowling Green State, faced injuries that limited his time on the field. He managed to play more than 20 snaps in just three games and exceeded 30 snaps only once. Nonetheless, when healthy, he emerged as one of Virginia Tech’s most effective running backs, accumulating 469 yards with an average of 5.7 yards per carry. His overall grade stood at 71.2, highlighted by a career-high pass blocking grade of 79.7. Stewart’s most notable performance occurred during the win at NC State, where he rushed for 174 yards on just 15 carries.
Among the transfers, Marcellous Hawkins distinguished himself as the most impactful player. He achieved an impressive overall grade of 84.5 over the course of his 11 games, making him Virginia Tech’s highest-graded offensive player. Despite playing behind a below-average offensive line, Hawkins rushed for 749 yards at an average of 6.3 yards per attempt. His versatility extended to the passing game, where he caught 12 passes for 74 yards and a touchdown. His standout performance came against Cal, where he recorded 167 yards on 21 attempts, contributing significantly to Virginia Tech’s final victory of the season.
Lastly, Ben Bell, another key addition from the transfer portal, concluded his season with solid statistics, including three sacks and 18 QB hurries, alongside 32 tackles. He also earned a respectable overall defensive grade of 69.7, with a remarkable pass rush grade of 80.8. His best performance was against Virginia, where he notched three QB hurries and one sack, achieving a grade of 69.3 from Pro Football Focus.
As Virginia Tech prepares for the next phase of the offseason, the contributions from these transfers have set a foundation for potential growth. With the transfer portal set to open soon, the Hokies will likely seek further enhancements to their roster in hopes of building on this season’s experiences.
