Nadir Thompson returned one kickoff in his career, pictured here in 2019 against Rhode Island. (Jon Fleming)

On Thursday morning, Virginia Tech cornerback Nadir Thompson announced his decision to enter the transfer portal.

https://twitter.com/Nadir_Thompson7/status/1522220932869201920?s=20&t=t-EzRx87Xdu3QK5Bmo_rlA

A 5-10, 180-pound redshirt junior from Rocky Mount, N.C., Thompson joined the program in 2018. A former three-star athlete, he played in 27 games across four seasons and recorded nine total tackles.

In 2018, he played in three games as a freshman in 2018 before redshirting. Thompson appeared in 10 contests in 2019, primarily on special teams, before he saw time at cornerback as a redshirt sophomore in 2020. He started once in seven appearances that year, in which he recorded seven total tackles. He had one tackle in seven games in 2021.

Thompson is the second defensive back to enter the transfer portal since the Spring Game on April 16, joining safety Da'Shawn Elder. There are currently 13 DBs on scholarship, listed here by class:

Chamarri Conner (Sr.)
Brion Murray (Sr.)
Armani Chatman (r-Jr.)
Nasir Peoples (r-Jr.)
Ny’Quee Hawkins (r-So.)
Dorian Strong (So.)
Jalen Stroman (So.)
DJ Harvey (So.)
Nyke Johnson (r-Fr.)
Jalen Hoyle (r-Fr.)
Elijah Howard (r-Fr.)
Cam Johnson (Fr.)
Mansoor Delane (Fr.)

Overall, seven Tech players have entered the portal since the Spring Game. Below is a complete list, in chronological order:

RB Jordan Brunson
TE Jared Gibble
RB Marco Lee
S Da'Shawn Elder
OL Bryce Goodner
RB Jalen Hampton
CB Nadir Thompson

As of May 5, Tech Sideline projects the Hokies to currently have between 81 and 86 players on scholarship. That number, which has to be below the 85-man limit come fall, varies depending on the number of special teams players on scholarship.

Tahj Gary


On Tuesday, Virginia Tech running back Tahj Gary tweeted that he had entered the transfer portal.

https://twitter.com/Tahjgary/status/1521540029272793088?s=20&t=t-EzRx87Xdu3QK5Bmo_rlA

This shouldn't come as surprising news, however, after Mike Niziolek of The Roanoke Times reported his decision back on February 3. A redshirt sophomore, Gary had four rushes for 24 yards in three games across three seasons.

The Hokies currently have six running backs on scholarship, sorted here by class:

Jalen Holston (r-Sr.)
Keshawn King (Jr.)
Malachi Thomas (So.)
Chance Black (r-Fr.)
Kenji Christian (r-Fr.)
Bryce Duke (Fr.)

For a reference of Virginia Tech players on scholarship, read this subscription article from April 19. Please note that the numbers have not been updated to reflect recent decisions.