Virginia Tech was hoping to land a major commitment in their 2026 recruiting class with four-star edge rusher Elijah Littlejohn. Unfortunately for the Hokies, they came up short. Littlejohn announced on social media that he would be committing to Penn State, choosing the Nittany Lions over other finalists including Virginia Tech, Georgia Tech, and NC State. His decision marks a notable recruiting loss for Brent Pry and his coaching staff, who had been vying for his services as they try to build a strong defensive front.
Littlejohn, who plays high school football at West Mecklenburg High School in North Carolina, is considered a top-tier recruit. According to the 247Sports Composite rankings, he is a four-star prospect, ranked No. 378 nationally, the No. 36 edge rusher in the country, and the 19th-best player in North Carolina. His commitment to Penn State further solidifies the Nittany Lions’ strong recruiting momentum and underscores the competition Virginia Tech faces when pursuing elite talent.
Despite missing out on Littlejohn, the Hokies managed to make some recruiting progress over the weekend by securing commitments from two promising defensive linemen: Kamren Johnson and Kamdon Gillespie. These commitments offer a silver lining for Virginia Tech as they continue to build their 2026 recruiting class.
Kamdon Gillespie, who chose Virginia Tech over Georgia Tech, brings size and physicality to the Hokies’ defensive front. Listed at 6-foot-3 and 245 pounds, Gillespie is expected to be a disruptive presence on the defensive line. With a reputation for being a high-motor player capable of creating problems for opposing offensive lines, Gillespie fits well into Virginia Tech’s defensive philosophy under Brent Pry, a coach known for his emphasis on defense. Pry has already demonstrated his ability to develop defensive linemen, with players like Antwaun Powell-Ryland and Aeneas Peebles getting drafted last season.
Gillespie’s commitment came just one day after fellow defensive lineman Kamren Johnson announced his decision to join the Hokies. Johnson, another impactful addition to the recruiting class, chose Virginia Tech over a competitive list of schools that included Duke, Michigan State, Pittsburgh, and in-state rival University of Virginia. Johnson hails from Green Run High School, a program that has produced multiple Hokies in recent years. His familiarity with the program and Virginia Tech’s strong relationship with Green Run likely played a role in his decision.
Johnson brings an impressive skill set to the Hokies’ defense. Described as explosive off the line of scrimmage, he excels in one-on-one pass-rushing situations and has shown a knack for salvaging broken plays. His ability to set the edge and get after the quarterback will make him a valuable asset in Virginia Tech’s defensive schemes.
Another defensive commit in this class is Joshua Pittman, who, like Gillespie, stands at 6-foot-3 and brings athleticism and versatility to the field. Pittman has shown the ability to track down running backs and disrupt plays in the backfield, giving the Hokies an exciting trio of defensive linemen to develop for the future. His run-stopping ability, combined with speed off the edge, adds depth and potential to an already promising defensive front.
While missing out on Elijah Littlejohn was a disappointment, the weekend haul of Gillespie and Johnson, alongside Pittman, signals that Virginia Tech is still making significant progress in assembling a tough, defensively strong 2026 class. These new additions demonstrate Brent Pry’s commitment to rebuilding Virginia Tech’s identity around a strong defense—a formula that has served the Hokies well in the past.
With months still remaining in the recruiting cycle, the Hokies will continue to chase high-profile talent while developing the solid foundation they’re building with committed players. Although the loss of Littlejohn stings, the addition of multiple strong defensive prospects shows that Virginia Tech remains competitive on the recruiting trail.
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