Hokie Club Virginia Tech's defensive line got a huge boost this past month when Oklahoma sophomore Kelvin Gilliam Jr. announced he would be transferring to Tech.
The 6-3, 295-pound lineman appeared in 19 games for the Sooners, where he was named an Academic All-Big 12 First Team honoree in 2022. This past year, Gilliam appeared in six games in a backup role at defensive tackle. He'll have two seasons of eligibility at Virginia Tech.
"I'm so excited to come home," Gilliam told me. "It's going to be great to play where my friends and family can make the easy trip to Blacksburg. It's a lot closer than (Oklahoma City) for them."
And he's the latest Highland Springs Springer to join Tech's program.
From Tech Hall of Famer Waddey Harvey in the 60's to Beamer-era standouts Jim Davis, Macho Harris, Noland Burchette, and brothers Derrick and Antoine Hopkins, Highland Springs High School in Richmond has produced some of Tech's brightest stars.
Last year, the Hokies added four Highland Springs alums: receivers Takye Heath and Ali Jennings, defensive back Braylon Johnson, and walk-on linebacker Darius Taylor.
"It's a pipeline, for sure," Gilliam said. "It's great to be back with Ali (Jennings) and the guys."
Coming out of high school, Gilliam earned first-team all-state honors, was named All-Metro Player of the Year in Richmond and was named Gatorade Virginia Football Player of the Year.
He had offers from LSU, Michigan, Notre Dame, Texas, Penn State, and others. He said he picked Oklahoma because of his relationship with Shane Beamer, who was an assistant on the Sooner's staff at the time under head coach Lincoln Riley.
"I have a great relationship with Coach (Shane) Beamer, and we got very close," Gilliam said. "But I also got very close to Coach (Brent) Pry, who was recruiting me for Penn State. If I didn't go to Oklahoma, I was going to go to Penn State. I love the way Coach Pry coaches defense, and I could've fit into his system at Penn State for sure."
Now, he'll have the chance to play for Pry in Blacksburg.
"I like to create chaos in the backfield," he said. "That's what I like to do, and that's what Coach (JC) Price wants from us up front. He's the kind of defensive line coach you want to play for, and it's funny; he actually recruited me when I was an assistant at Marshall."
KG, as he's known, has been in contact with fellow defensive linemen Antwaun Powell-Ryland and Jennings about the move and with other native Virginians who are thriving in Blacksburg after stops at other schools.
"We're all guys from Virginia, and we're comin' back home," Gilliam said. "Ali (WVU) and APR (Florida) started at different schools, but we're ending up where we belong."
So, what are the Hokies getting in Kelvin Gilliam?
"He's a gentle giant," Highland Springs head coach and former Hokie Loren Johnson said. "He's going to work. His body has morphed (at Oklahoma), and he's going to play really hard.
"He was coached here (at Highland Springs) by Derrick Hopkins (who played defensive line for the Hokies from 2010–2013). All the good that is Derrick you see in Kelvin. He has long arms, like John Engelberger. Kelvin's not as tall as 'Berger, but his arms are long. He's like Carl Bradley (who starred on Tech's defensive line in the late 90's)."
"He comes from a great family. His dad's a military guy, and his mom worked to keep him in line. He's a worker."
The chance to come back home and play at Tech jump-started Powell-Ryland's career. He led Tech and was second in the ACC with nine sacks. That's the plan for Gilliam. On the academic side, he's enrolled in Tech's School of Communication and plans to major in Sports Media & Analytics.
"I mean, the deal is this. If you're an assistant coach at Oklahoma and you have two guys who are essentially even, and you can either play a kid from Texas or a kid from Richmond, the kid from Texas gets on the field," Johnson said.
"Oklahoma coaches aren't ever comin' back to Highland Springs High School. That's why you recruit your region. That's why kids go to school in their region, or the 'footprint.' It's a regional sport, and you build relationships in your region.
"We've got to keep Virginia players in-state," Gilliam added. "We've got so many good players here. Look at Blake Corum (Michigan's tailback from Fauquier County, Va.) and other guys. We've got to keep 'em here and keep this pipeline going."
Sounding more like a coach than a player, Gilliam's eager to begin the second chapter of his career. Just like Jennings. Like Powell-Ryland.
"Enter Sandman. Lane Stadium. I'm so excited. It's going to be incredible. I'm so happy to be home."