The 2025 college football transfer portal proved to be a significant moment for Virginia Tech, with a total of 30 new players joining the roster and 23 players seeking new opportunities. As the season concludes, a closer look at the performance of these former Virginia Tech players reveals a mix of successes and challenges in their new environments.
Delane Shines at LSU
One of the standout transfers was Mansoor Delane, who opted to leave Virginia Tech after three seasons. Choosing to join Louisiana State University (LSU) instead of entering the NFL Draft, Delane’s decision paid off remarkably. In his first season with LSU, he earned recognition as a consensus All-American. Throughout the season, he was targeted just 35 times, allowing only 13 receptions for a total of 147 yards and no touchdowns. His performance was exceptional, with a passer rating allowed of just 26.7, significantly lower than the rating a quarterback would receive for spiking the ball on every play, which is 39.6. Additionally, Delane recorded two interceptions, solidifying his status as a top defensive asset.
Chaplin and Moore’s Diverging Paths
In contrast, Xavier Chaplin, a highly sought-after player by Virginia Tech fans, faced a challenging season at Auburn University. Despite playing a career-high 823 snaps, he ended up with a disappointing overall grade of 57.8, marking the lowest performance of his career. Although he achieved a solid pass-blocking score of 72.3, his run-blocking metrics suffered, resulting in a grade of only 57.4. Chaplin’s experience underscores the uncertainties associated with transferring, particularly for offensive linemen in a struggling offensive system.
On a more positive note, Braelin Moore, another offensive lineman who transferred to LSU alongside Delane, enjoyed a successful season. Moore received a career-best overall grade of 69.4 from PFF, with an impressive pass-block grade of 80.4 and a solid run-block grade of 63.5. His transition to playing center at LSU showcased his adaptability and skill development during his time away from Virginia Tech.
Health and Performance Issues
Meanwhile, Jalen Stroman faced significant health challenges during his tenure at Virginia Tech, limiting his presence on the field. After playing just 22 snaps in the 2024 season, he transferred to Notre Dame, where he successfully maintained his health throughout the season. Stroman played in nearly every game, achieving his best career statistics across multiple categories, except for pass rush, where he had only three attempts. He experienced a notable boost of 10.4 points in his overall defensive grade, with an 11.2 point increase in rush defense and a 7.1 point improvement in pass coverage—all of which exceeded the 80.0 mark.
In a similar vein, Mose Phillips encountered health struggles at Missouri, participating in just seven out of the team’s 12 games. Nonetheless, he delivered a career-best season, playing 129 total snaps and earning an overall defensive grade of 74.2. Despite a decline in his tackling grade, which fell nearly 20 points to 57.8, Phillips compensated with a significant increase in his coverage grade, rising from 51.4 to 74.3.
The 2025 transfer portal period has highlighted the diverse outcomes for former Virginia Tech players as they sought new opportunities. While some, like Delane and Moore, found success and recognition, others faced challenges that underscore the unpredictable nature of the transfer process in college football.
