Sam Brumfield
Linebacker
Transfer Portal, Middle Tennessee
5-11, 226
Pearl, MS
Virginia Tech took a step toward fixing its mike linebacker issues by gaining a commitment from Middle Tennessee transfer Sam Brumfield on Monday.
The 5-foot-11, 226-pounder from Pearl, Mississippi, announced his commitment on social media. He was Tech's third transfer commitment of the day, joining defensive tackles Aeneas Peebles out of Duke and Kemari Copeland from Iowa Western Community College.
https://twitter.com/sambrumfield33/status/1736820207757226336?s=20
Brumfield, who has one year of eligibility left, started 10 of 12 games last year for the Blue Raiders, finishing with 81 tackles, 6.5 tackles for a loss and 3.5 sacks along with two forced fumbles and a team-best eight hurries. He earned second-team All-Conference USA honors for his efforts. Pro Football Focus gave him a 73.0 grade for the season.
Before attending Middle Tennessee, Brumfield spent two years at Northwest Mississippi Community College. He was recruited out of high school by Hokies defensive coordinator Chris Marve, who was an assistant with Mississippi State in 2019.
His addition comes at a position of need. The Hokies never truly settled their mike linebacker situation last season, struggling to find a capable full-time replacement for Dax Hollifield.
Alan Tisdale, who'd worked at will linebacker most of his career, got the lion's share of snaps at the spot, finishing with 68 tackles that were second on the team, though his 50.2 grade on PFF was the lowest of all of Tech's defensive starters.
Jayden McDonald (28 tackles, 67.5 grade in 277 snaps) played better down the stretch. Jaden Keller, who began the year as the top option but didn't hold the spot, starting two games and finishing with 22 tackles and a 53.4 grade, remains an option too.
Keller, McDonald and Keli Lawson all have experience playing will linebacker too.