We are in the last week before the NCAA transfer portal closes, and Virginia Tech coach James Franklin remains busy. After landing eight commitments over the weekend, Franklin reeled another in on Monday when Penn State defensive tackle Randy Adirika revealed he was committing to Virginia Tech.
Adirika becomes the 21st player to transfer to Virginia Tech since the portal
opened on January 2, and the ninth player to follow Franklin from Happy Valley to Blacksburg. When quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer makes it official, that will be 10 former Nittany Lions in Blacksburg, with even more possibly on the way.
Adirika is a 6-foot-3, 308-pound defensive tackle from Miami Central High School in Miami, Florida. A three-star prospect in the 2025 recruiting class, Adirika redshirted last season and has four years of eligibility remaining. He’s the second 300+-pound defensive tackle to commit to Virginia Tech in the last two days, joining Eric Mensah, previously of Ohio State. Tech’s defensive line suddenly looks much deeper with the additions of Mensah, Adirika and edge rushers Javion Hilson, Kamauryn Morgan, Cortez Harris, and Mylachi Williams. Daniel Jennings was initially listed as an EDGE but could be moved inside. That’s seven defensive line transfers for the Hokies, all with multiple years of eligibility remaining.
Penn State was really high on Adirika’s potential, and he has the chance to help the Hokies sooner rather than later. Yet another big win for James Franklin.
