Virginia Tech football 2026 position preview: Offensive line

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When Virginia Tech hired James Franklin as the new head football coach in November, he immediately went to work. One of Franklin’s top priorities was to improve the offensive line. The unit hasn’t been a strength since Christian Darrisaw last played for the Hokies back in 2020.

Since that time, the Hokies have struggled to build and retain a strong offensive line in the NIL era. Franklin chose to retain offensive line coach Matt Moore, which was a popular move among players and recruits. Moore was initially hired ahead of the 2025 season by former head coach — and current defensive coordinator — Brent Pry.

Franklin was aggressive in the 2026 recruiting class, signing seven offensive linemen and adding four more via the NCAA transfer portal. The Hokies have several key linemen returning in 2026, but were already dealt a blow when senior offensive tackle Johnny Garrett was injured in practice. Garrett has played in 35 career games for the Hokies.

Here’s a look at Virginia Tech’s 2026 offensive line:

Returning players

• T Johnny Garrett, redshirt senior, 6-5, 323, Scituate, Mass.
• T/G Layth Ghannam, redshirt senior, 6-4, 315, Charleston, WV.
• T Montavious Cunningham, graduate student, 6-3, 315, Athens, Ga.
• G Brody Meadows, redshirt senior, 6-7, 335, Bluefield, Va.
• T Aidan Lynch, redshirt sophomore, 6-6, 320, Mount Olive, NJ.
• G Tommy Ricard, redshirt sophomore, 6-3, 307, Hudson, Ohio
• T Lucas Austin, redshirt sophomore, 6-5, 305, Sterling, Ill.
• C Kyle Altuner, redshirt sophomore, 6-3, 302, Frederick, Md.
• C/G Gavin Crawford, redshirt freshman, 6-0, 323, Silver Spring, Md.
• G/T Nathaniel Wright, redshirt freshman, 6-4, 304, Manassas, Va.

Of the returning players, Altuner is the anchor. He has All-American potential and will eventually play in the NFL. With Garrett out, Cunningham has improved over the past two years and is ready to be a full-time starter. He’s had a terrific offseason. Ghannam will start at one of the guard spots, and keep an eye on Meadows. Lynch is competing to start at right tackle. Garrett’s loss could be significant, but the Hokies did a good job in the transfer portal.

Newcomers (transfers)

• OL Elijah Haughawout, redshirt sophomore, 6-3, 300, Suwanee, Ga. (US Military Academy Prep School)
• T Justin Bell, redshirt freshman, 6-6, 322, Macomb Township, Mich. (Michigan State)
• T Logan Howland, redshirt junior, 6-6, 325, Westfield, NJ. (Oklahoma)
• T Justin Terry, redshirt sophomore, 6-5, 331, Pickerington, Ohio. (Ohio State)
• C/G Michael Troutman III, redshirt freshman, 6-2, 312, Trenton, NJ. (Penn State)

This is a solid transfer class. Troutman should be Tech’s backup center behind Altuner. Bell can develop as a reserve tackle for a year or two, while Howland and Terry could start. Whoever wins the left tackle job, the other could be the primary backup. If Cunningham plays guard, which he can do, then Howland and Terry could man both tackle positions.

Newcomers (freshmen)

• T Roseby Lubintus, freshman, 6-5, 342, Elizabeth, NJ.
• T Tyrell Simpson, freshman, 6-7, 337, Leland, NC.
• T/G Maddox Cochrane, freshman, 6-6, 285, Midlothian, Va.
• T Buddy Wegdam, freshman, 6-5, 302, Marshall, Va.
• T Thomas Wilder, freshman. 6-6, 315, Virginia Beach, Va.
• T Marlen Bright, freshman, 6-6. 315, Wayne, NJ.
• G Benjamin Eziuka, freshman, 6-2, 317, Canton, Mi.

This is an impressive class. With so many upperclassmen in the two-deep, Franklin could get by with redshirting most of this group, allowing them to gain strength. Gone are the days of sub-300-pound O-linemen for the Hokies, it seems. Franklin hopes this OL class is the core of the Hokies for the next few seasons. If one player plays this season, keep an eye on Eziuka.

Projected starting five

Franklin talks often about finding the best five. And he’s said he feels really comfortable with around seven players right now. We feel VT’s top five will consist of some combination of Altuner, Howland, Cunningham, Terry, Meadows and Ghannam. Much of it depends on whether the Hokies would rather keep Cunningham on the side. If he remains on the inside, I could see this starting five left to right: Howland, Ghannam, Altuner, Cunningham and Terry. If Cunningham plays tackle, I could see this starting five: Howland/Terry, Ghannam, Altuner, Meadows and Cunningham.

Either way, Virginia Tech’s offensive line hasn’t looked this capable since 2020. This group has a chance to be good this year and for years to come.

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