Since Carnell Warren decommitted from Virginia Tech two weeks ago, head coach Brent Pry has been on a recruiting hot streak. Warren’s departure left the Hokies with just two commitments, but the momentum quickly shifted. Over the past 10 days, Pry and his staff secured four new commitments and pulled off a key flip from Rutgers.
Tyrell Simpson, a 6-foot-7, 310-pound offensive lineman, made a late, unexpected visit to Blacksburg—and it proved to be a game-changer. After initially committing to Rutgers following a May visit, Simpson reconsidered. With the influence of first-year offensive line coach Matt Moore, he flipped his commitment to Virginia Tech following the weekend trip.
The Leland, North Carolina native had multiple offers on the table, but after initially committing to Big Ten program Rutgers, one visit to Virginia Tech changed everything. That trip to Blacksburg convinced Tyrell Simpson that playing in Lane Stadium—and being closer to home—was the right fit.
“Because it’s closer to home,” Simpson told 247Sports. “And I have a great relationship with the coaches.”
Virginia Tech landed a key flip in Simpson, a three-star offensive tackle who now becomes the Hokies’ seventh commitment in the Class of 2026. He joins in-state lineman Buddy Wegdam as part of an emerging group up front. First-year offensive line coach Matt Moore was instrumental in Simpson’s recruitment. Even after Simpson committed to Rutgers, Moore stayed in contact and ultimately helped bring him to campus, where the visit sealed the deal.
As noted over the weekend, with Virginia Tech’s 2026 class still in its early stages, head coach Brent Pry needed to make strategic moves—flipping committed prospects among them. It didn’t take long for that plan to yield results.
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