Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG – With less than a week until Tech football begins their season in the 2025 Aflac Kickoff Game against South Carolina, a new-look group is gearing up for success: the offensive line. Led by new offensive line coach Matt Moore, the offensive line position room is in a state of change after 2024, leaving Moore and offensive coordinator Philip Montgomery with lots of options as the upcoming season kicks off. With little time until the Hokies face the Gamecocks, we wrap up the Position Preview series with an inside look at those who are sure to make their presence known on the offensive line this fall.
When Moore was announced as the Hokies’ offensive line coach in December, it didn’t take long for the coach’s presence to reverberate around Blacksburg. The former Broyles Award nominee has built an impressive resume from stops at Troy (2006; 2015-19), Texas Tech (2007-11), Middle Tennessee (2012), Louisiana Tech (2013-14), and most recently West Virginia (2019-24). His 2024 Mountaineers team ranked 27th in the FBS in rushing yards per game (193.7) in regular season competition while simultaneously sitting top-10 in rushes of 10 or more yards (88).
After Moore committed to leading the line at Virginia Tech, many members of the West Virginia offensive front began to follow their coach to Blacksburg. Three members of that 2024 squad – Tomas Rimac, Kyle Altuner, and Lucas Austin – joined the Hokies in the months following Moore’s departure from the Mountaineers, further exemplifying the connection he had with his players last fall. The mass relocation by prominent West Virginia offensive line centerpieces speaks volumes about Moore’s ability not only as a coach, but as a leader of student-athletes.
Rimac headlines the offensive lineman transfer portal class as the student-athlete with the most experience. Now entering Blacksburg as a redshirt senior, Rimac started all 13 games in 2024, earning All-Big 12 Honorable Mention recognition behind his 75.0-plus grades as a pass and run blocker per Pro Football Focus. His 78.6 PFF overall grade last season ranked fifth among guards in the Power Four conferences, signifying that the 6-foot-6, 317-pound Ohio native is poised to find success yet again in 2025. Pairing Rimac with returning quarterback Kyron Drones and a plethora of running back talent promises an offensive attack that could lead to success starting later this month.
Altuner and Austin round out the transfer portal acquisitions from the Mountaineers, both players joining the Hokies as redshirt freshmen in the upcoming season. The former, who stands at 6-foot-3, 296 pounds, most recently saw success as an Under Armour All-American at Our Lady of Good Counsel High School in Olney, Md., while the latter excelled as a two-time most valuable offensive lineman at Sterling High in Sterling, Ill. While the pairing has seen limited game action in their collegiate careers, both players have high ceilings in Blacksburg.
Plenty of returning talent will also play a large role in the Tech offensive line this season. Standing at 6-foot-5, 302 pounds, Layth Ghannam has the chance to make an impact this fall, after playing in 11 games over two years in Blacksburg. The Charleston, W.Va. native started in three contests last year, including the opener against Vanderbilt, before injuries hampered his playing time as the season progressed. Joining Ghannam is Johnny Garrett, who played in 12 games last fall, making a start in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl. The redshirt junior’s resumé demonstrates a high level of athleticism across several disciplines, including snaps at tight end and prominence on the basketball court while at Boston College High School.
Montavious Cunningham and Brody Meadows are also names to keep an eye on as the Hokies establish their identity on the offensive line. Cunningham featured in every contest in 2024, tallying snaps on both the offensive line and in special teams production. The 6-foot-4, 318-pounder was directly referenced by Drones during the ACC Media Days, giving at least some idea that the former Georgia State student-athlete will play a role in the upcoming season. Meadows saw action in 11 games last season.
The coaching staff has some layered depth to work with up front as well. Grad student Jaden Muskrat is the lone transfer who did not come from Morgantown, instead joining the Hokies after playing a pair of seasons at Auburn University. The 6-foot-3, 298-pound lineman played in every game in both seasons with the Tigers, logging 118 total snaps in 2024. What makes Muskrat interesting is his time spent with the Hokies’ newly signed offensive coordinator. Before joining the Tigers, the graduate student started his career at Tulsa, where Montgomery served as head coach from 2015-22.
Muskrat will compete for snaps as will redshirt sophomore Hannes Hammer who returns from injury. In addition, redshirt freshmen Tommy Ricard, Aidan Lynch, and Elijah Haughawout have shown promise, along with redshirt sophomore Jahzari Priester, who makes the move from the defensive line to the offensive line following his transfer from Hampton.
A trio of true freshmen join the room this season, including Carter Stallard from nearby Christiansburg, Manassas, Virginia product Nathaniel Wright, and Gavin Crawford, who originally signed with West Virginia but followed Moore to Blacksburg following the spring semester.
While the Hokies’ offensive line will look entirely different in 2025, the caliber of playmakers on the front can’t be ignored. Don’t miss your chance to see the Hokies as they face competition in Lane Stadium this fall!