When Virginia Tech fired football coach Brent Pry on Sept. 14, it triggered a 30-day Transfer Portal window for players. The timing of the firing was significant for the players on the Hokies' roster, as with only three games played, players had the option to redshirt and save a year of eligibility for 2026 or beyond.
After Pry was fired, defensive linemen Keyshawn Burgos and Eastern Michigan transfer James Djonkam were not seen. Then it was reported that they were removed from the Virginia Tech roster, while interim coach Philip Montgomery deflected questions about the situation.