Missouri defensive end Javion Hilson is now a Hokie. (Nick Brown)

Javion Hilson 
Defensive End 
Missouri 
6-4, 240 
4 years remaining (r-Fr.) 

Virginia Tech and James Franklin received a commitment from Missouri defensive end Javion Hilson just after midnight on Monday. Hayes Fawcett of On3 broke the news, and Hilson confirmed it on his social media.

The Cocoa, Fla., native played in three games for the Tigers while redshirting as a true freshman in 2025. He saw 31 total defensive snaps between contests against Central Arkansas, Louisiana and Massachusetts and recorded his first collegiate tackle against the Minutemen.

Hilson was a massive recruit out of high school, compiling 202 tackles, 61 TFLs, 38.5 sacks and winning two state titles. He was given five-star status by Rivals, who ranked him as the No. 17 overall prospect in the class and the top edge rusher, along with the No. 3 prospect in Florida. He was a four-star by the other three services and fell somewhere between 70th and 80th nationally.

Among the schools that pursued him originally: Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Florida, Florida State, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, LSU, Louisville, Miami, Michigan, Ohio State, Penn State, Pitt, Purdue, Rutgers, Tennessee, Texas, Texas A&M, Syracuse, UCF and USC.

Hilson is the Hokies' fifth offseason transfer portal addition and the second on the defensive line, joining fellow edge rusher Daniel Jennings (Penn State). New defensive line coach Sean Spencer was previously in College Station and recruited Hilson on behalf of the Aggies. Franklin is also familiar with him due to the Penn State ties.

For more information on Virginia Tech's comings and goings in the portal, click here for Tech Sideline’s roster management page.

Javion Hilson links:

247Sports  Missouri bio  On3