Virginia Tech football: Bryan Hudson and Doug Nester enter the transfer portal

The Virginia Tech Hokies wrapped up the early signing period by signing a host of new players for the 2021 recruiting class.

Meanwhile, in Blacksburg, the roster churn has begun.

A pair of sophomore offensive linemen, Bryan Hudson and Doug Nester, have entered the transfer portal. The two players weren’t present at position meetings earlier this week and entered the portal shortly after.

Both players were considered cornerstones in Virginia Tech’s 2019 class when Nester flipped to the Hokies after being committed to Ohio State for some time. Nester and Hudson were both four-star prospects out of high school.

Nester, a 6-foot-6, 327-pound sophomore out of Spring Valley High School in Huntington, W.V., started 10 games at right guard as a freshman in 2019. This season, Nester started seven games at right guard, two at right tackle, and missed two games with an injury.

Hudson, a 6-foot-4, 310-pound sophomore from Scott County High in Georgetown, Ky., played in 11 games in 2019, making 10 starts at center. He was replaced in the starting lineup this season by Brock Hoffman at center, although Hudson did play in eight games, seeing two starts at right guard.

It is a bit surprising to see these two players transfer. Nester was entrenched as a starter and would certainly start in 2021. Hudson could also see a return to the lineup in 2021.

Left tackle Christian Darrisaw will almost assuredly leave for the 2021 NFL Draft, as he is expected to be a first-round pick. Hoffman, Lecitus Smith and Silas Dzansi are all redshirt juniors and could test the NFL Draft waters, too, in what will be another unusual offseason.

The offensive line was a strength the last two seasons, but the Hokies could lack depth in 2021 if both players do end up leaving. Nester and Hudson could still return to the team, although it appears unlikely at this point.

Expect a lot of player movement from every team this offseason with the NCAA approving a one-time transfer waiver.

This is unfortunate news in what has been a wild week in Blacksburg.