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- Virginia Tech is returning to an attacking four-man front, with Aycen Stevens and Penn State transfer Mylachi Williams projected to start at end and Javion Hilson available for clear pass-rush situations. - Kemari Copeland and Elhadj Fall form Virginia Tech's established starting defensive-tackle pair, with Randy Adirika, Eric Mensah and Gerard Johnson competing behind them. - Noah Chambers, converted safety Kaleb Spencer and Penn State transfer Keon Wylie project as Virginia Tech's starting linebackers, while the second-team roles remain less settled. - Jaquez White and Isaiah Brown-Murray project as the outside corners against VMI, with the expected reduction in nickel usage moving Brown-Murray outside for the opener. - Tyson Flowers and a healthy Quentin Reddish project to start at safety, while Brennan Johnson forced his way into the rotation with one of the strongest camps in the group.

- Newcomer DQ Smith worked with Virginia Tech's safeties, but the staff expects him to need a couple of weeks before he is ready for a role in Brent Pry's defense, with his size also giving him potential linebacker versatility. - The observed first-team defensive group featured Aycen Stevens, Kemari Copeland, Elhadj Fall and Cortez Harris up front, Kaleb Spencer, Noah Chambers and Keon Wylie at linebacker, and Isaiah Brown-Murray, Jaquez White, Joshua Clarke, Tyson Flowers and Quentin Reddish in the secondary. - Virginia Tech prepared for VMI by having its scout team run the triple option during the media viewing window. - Ayden Greene, Queso Brown, Davion Brown and Marlion Jackson led the wide-receiver drill order, while Keylen Adams, Tyseer Denmark, Jeff Exinor Jr., Luke Stuewe, AJ Brand and Takye Heath also wore rotation-designating orange jerseys.

- Virginia Tech added former South Carolina safety DQ Smith, a veteran with more than 3,000 SEC snaps who missed only eight tackles last season. - Smith's eligibility remains tied to an unresolved court case, leaving both his availability and the speed of his integration into the defense uncertain.

- DB: Virginia Tech Football Adds Transfer Defensive Back DQ Smith The news was first reported by 247Sports.