Virginia Tech got a late boost to its roster just days before Saturday’s season opener against VMI, landing former South Carolina defensive back DQ Smith on Tuesday.
Smith’s path to Blacksburg was unusual. He had been granted a temporary restraining order in a Louisiana court last month, and that opened the door for the Hokies to add him.
At South Carolina, Smith spent four seasons building a long resume in the Gamecocks’ secondary. He played in 48 games and made 45 starts, piling up 228 tackles.
His stat line also included 4.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, five interceptions and 11 passes defended. The Columbia, South Carolina native entered the transfer portal on Aug. 23 and was tied for the team lead in tackles last season.
For Virginia Tech, Smith adds another seasoned piece to an already veteran safety group. He joins Quentin Reddish, Tyson Flowers, Sheldon Robinson, Sherrod Covil and Jordan Bass, and he was on the practice field Tuesday with an immediate role expected.
The Hokies were able to sign Smith because he never signed an NFL contract. He had attended a tryout with the Minnesota Vikings, but was not signed. That situation was similar to former JMU linebacker Trent Hendrick, who the Hokies pursued before he signed with his former college coach, Bob Chesney, at UCLA.
Head coach James Franklin was recently asked about bringing in players who had originally had expired eligibility, and he said he was always open to finding ways to improve his team.
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Virginia Tech Just Made A Late Defensive Addition Before The Opener
Virginia Tech is making one more late roster move before its season opener against VMI, with reports saying the Hokies are adding South Carolina safety DQ Smith from the transfer portal. Smith, who spent four seasons with the Gamecocks, is expected to join Virginia Tech for his fifth college season, giving the defense another experienced option as the countdown to kickoff winds down.
The timing is notable because this kind of late addition can still matter in August, especially for a secondary that benefits from experienced depth and competition. The move has not been officially confirmed by the team yet, but if it goes through, it gives Virginia Tech another veteran piece to work into the mix right before the opener. [Read more 🡒]
Virginia Tech Lands Veteran Help As Secondary Questions Still Linger
Virginia Tech added an experienced piece to its defensive backfield with the commitment of South Carolina defensive back D.Q. Smith, giving the Hokies another veteran option as they continue sorting out the secondary. Smith arrives after spending four seasons at South Carolina and also had a tryout with the Minnesota Vikings, though he did not land an NFL contract.
Smiths path to Blacksburg moved quickly once he entered the transfer portal on Aug. 23 and then joined Virginia Tech nine days later, aided by eligibility obtained through a temporary restraining order granted by a Louisiana court. For a Hokies defense still looking for clarity in the back end, the addition brings experience and immediate help, even if the broader picture in the secondary is still coming into focus. [Read more 🡒]
Virginia Techs Efrem Johnson Hope May Be Over After Key Ruling
Efrem Butta Johnsons bid to squeeze out one more season of college basketball hit a hard stop this week, when a South Carolina judge denied his request for additional eligibility. Johnson had already played out his senior year at Clemson last season, and the ruling leaves him without a path to extend his college career through the courts.
For Virginia Tech, the decision closes the door on a potential addition who would have brought another experienced guard into the mix. Johnson had been seeking a fifth season, but with the legal challenge turned away, the Hokies and everyone else watching the case are left with the same reality: his college run appears to be over. [Read more 🡒]