Virginia Tech flips 2026 OT Tyrell Simpson from Rutgers

Leland (N.C.) North Brunswick three-star offensive tackle Tyrell Simpson has flipped his commitment from Rutgers to Virginia Tech, he announced on Monday.

Pledged to the Scarlet Knights since May 31, the towering 6-foot-7 Simpson is now set to head to Blacksburg and play for the Hokies at the next level. He becomes the second offensive line commitment for VT head coach Brent Pry this cycle.

Simpson is the No. 720 overall prospect and No. 59 OT in the 2026 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He’s also the No. 30 player in North Carolina.

“I am happy to announce that I have found my home,” Simpson wrote on X announcing the flip. Liberty and Kentucky also tried to flip him away from Rutgers this summer.

Checking in at 345 pounds, Simpson is an imposing figure in the trenches. He becomes commitment No. 7 for the Hokies this cycle, adding to a light class that ranks just No. 78 in the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings.

Looking at Virginia Tech’s 2026 class

Only Suffolk (Va.) King’s Fork three-star linebacker Joshua Pittman ranks higher than Simpson in the Virginia Tech class. He pledged to the in-state school on April 14 and is the No. 643 recruit overall.

Pittman is one of four in-state commits in the class, alongside Virginia Beach Landstown three-star safety Zaevion Cleveland, Woodberry Forest three-star OT Buddy Wegdam and Virginia Beach Green Run three-star EDGE Kamren Johnson.

Cornelius (N.C.) Mooresville three-star EDGE Kamdon Gillespie and Spartanburg (S.C.) three-star kicker Will Love round out the pledge list to date. The class also currently ranks No. 16 out of 17 teams in the ACC, checking in ahead of just Virginia.

Rutgers still has Top-30 class this cycle

The Scarlet Knights continue to try and fend off other programs and keep some of their bigger flip targets in the fold this summer. Despite the loss of Simpson — and now three-star safety Rihyael Kelly, who flipped to Alabama on Monday — Rutgers’ class still features 19 commits and ranks No. 30 in the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings.

The class is headlined by a quartet of four-stars, including Louisa (Va.) County wide receiver Dyzier Carter, the No. 215 prospect in the nation. He’s been committed since July 27 of last summer.

Stockbridge (Ga.) Woodland four-star interior offensive lineman Jared Smith, Philadelphia Neumann Goretti four-star athlete Wydeek Collier and Towson (Md.) Calvert Hall four-star safety Chris Hewitt are the other blue-chippers in the mix for head coach Greg Schiano and his staff.