Virginia Tech Football Fields Entire Team With Transfers Amid Coaching Overhaul

Virginia Tech football is undergoing significant changes heading into the 2025 season, including a major roster overhaul with 30 transfers and new coordinators Philip Montgomery (offense) and Sam Siefkes (defense) replacing the previous staff. Despite a disappointing 6-7 season in 2024 and key player losses to the transfer portal and NFL Draft, the Hokies face a challenging schedule but have several winnable games that could effectively serve as extra bye weeks, including matchups against Old Dominion and Wofford. Recruiting efforts are heating up for Virginia Tech's Class of 2026, with notable prospects like defensive edge Kamdon Gillespie narrowing their choices to include the Hokies, indicating ongoing efforts to rebuild the team. Meanwhile, broader college football playoff formats are shifting, with the ACC and Big 12 reportedly moving to eliminate conference championship byes for the 2025 playoffs, allowing only the top four teams overall to receive byes, while the SEC and Big Ten plan to expand the playoff to 16 teams starting in 2026. Michigan State football, under second-year coach Jonathan Smith, looks forward to a lighter 2025 schedule featuring easier opponents that may provide additional bye weeks, highlighting a theme across college football of schedule adjustments and strategic rest opportunities.