Virginia Tech football: Hokies land grad transfer Changa Hodge

The Virginia Tech Hokies added some immediate help on offense when graduate transfer Changa Hodge announced he was coming to Virginia Tech on Friday.

The 6-foot-1, 200-pound redshirt senior from East Stroudsburg, Penn., is eligible to play immediately for the Hokies.

Hodge was one of the more productive receivers in FCS last season for Villanova, catching 65 passes for 1,118 yards and 13 touchdowns. He gives Virginia Tech some much-needed depth and experience at the position this fall, if there is a season.

The Hokies were hit hard by defections at wide receiver after the 2019 season. Damon Hazelton was terrific for the Hokies during his two years, but he opted to transfer for his final season. Hezekiah Grimsley, Jacoby Pinckney and Phil Patterson all left, too.

So, a position that appeared loaded one year ago, appeared much thinner after the departure of these players, in addition to tight end Dalton Keene entering the NFL Draft.

Hodge can play immediately and be productive. With Tre Turner and Tayvion Robinson the only certainties in the starting lineup, Hodge has a clear path to start.

With the Hokies missing out on some prospects, continuing to monitor the transfer portal is a wise move by head coach Justin Fuente. Hodge joins running back Khalil Herbert and defensive end Justus Reed as likely starters this fall who all played at different schools in 2019.