Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG – In his debut season with the Hokies, redshirt junior defensive lineman Kelvin Gilliam has quickly made his presence felt on the field. Under defensive coordinator Chris Marve’s aggressive scheme, Gilliam’s knack for shedding blocks and speed on the interior has proved to be a disruptive force. The transfer joins the Hokies this Saturday, Nov. 9, as they take on No. 19 Clemson at 3:30 p.m. ET. Fans unable to make it to Blacksburg can catch the action live on ESPN.
A Virginia native, Gilliam came out of high school as a highly sought-after 4-star recruit and a top 150 national prospect, according to 247Sports. He was also ranked as the No. 3 player in Virginia by Rivals, No. 4 by ESPN and No. 5 by 247Sports. As a senior, he earned first-team all-state honors, was named Gatorade Virginia Football Player of the Year, All-Metro Player of the Year, and Region 5B Defensive Player of the Year, recording 48 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, 11 sacks and two forced fumbles.
Gilliam originally committed to Oklahoma and spent three years in the Big 12, where he registered 10 tackles. After transferring to Virginia Tech, he transitioned to the interior and has continued to make an impact. This season, he’s recorded 25 total tackles, including a sack against Old Dominion and a forced fumble against Boston College. The redshirt junior is currently ranked 12th on the Hokies in overall defense and stands as the fourth-highest ranked player on the defensive line in tackles.
The fourth year has shown significant growth in multiple areas, particularly in hand technique, an essential skill to disengage from blockers and create space for plays. Working with defensive line and associate head coach J.C. Price, Gilliam has shown strong aggression and patience in chasing down plays, solidifying his role in the Hokies’ defensive success. With experience on both the edge and interior, Gilliam is a versatile player who can move across different positions along the defensive line. This flexibility adds valuable depth to the defensive corps, making him a key asset for the Hokies.
The Hokies’ interior will face off against the Tigers' offense, which currently ranks ninth nationally in scoring. Gilliam’s versatility and impact will be crucial in helping the Hokies disrupt Clemson’s high-powered attack, in a pivotal showdown before a sold-out crowd. Fans still looking for tickets can explore single-game options on SeatGeek, the official fan-to-fan marketplace for Virginia Tech Athletics.