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Sep 6, 2025; Blacksburg, Virginia, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies defensive lineman Kemari Copeland (13) celebrates a defensive stop during the first quarter at Lane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Bishop-Imagn Images | Brian Bishop-Imagn Images
You know college football is getting close if you follow Phil Steele. Steele authors the “Phil Steele’s 2026 College Football Preview,” which will hit newsstands in the coming weeks. If you’re a hardcore fan, you’d sign up for the VIP package and receive the jam-packed magazine weeks earlier.
The digital version of Steele’s 2026 preview is available now for VIP subscribers, so we know which players Steele is expecting big things from.
There is a ton of excitement surrounding the Virginia Tech Hokies. The Hokies hired former Penn State head coach James Franklin in November, and Hokie fans have enjoyed the ride. Franklin quickly put together a top-25 2026 class in just a matter of weeks. Then, in January, Franklin signed a widely praised transfer portal class, led by quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer.
Now, Franklin and his staff are busy putting together the 2027 class, which is currently ranked in the top 10.
Back to the 2026 college football season. Expectations are high for Virginia Tech. The Hokies could get off to a quick start, but the second half of the schedule is demanding. Still, Hokie fans have high hopes, and rightfully so.
As for Steele, he named nine Hokies to his preseason All-ACC team:
- DT Kemari Copeland (first team)
- WR Que’Sean Brown (second team), KR (fourth team)
- TE Luke Reynolds (second team)
- OL Layth Ghannam (second team)
- RB Marcellous Hawkins (third team)
- DL Elhadj Fall (third team)
- LB Kaleb Spencer (third team)
- K John Love (fourth team)
- LS Christian Epling (fourth team)
Of these players, Copeland, Ghannam, Hawkins, Fall, Spencer and Love were with the Hokies last season. Ghannam and Love have spent their entire career with the Hokies, while Copeland enters his third year in Blacksburg.
Copeland being first-team All-ACC is no surprise. He gets better and better every year and had plenty of options had he entered the transfer portal, but he remains a Hokie. Copeland is a legitimate NFL prospect and is in store for a big final year.
Reynolds comes to the Hokies from Penn State, alongside Grunkemeyer. He will likely split reps with Benji Gosnell at tight end. However, in this new offense, both should receive plenty of targets.
Brown was outstanding at Duke, and he could immediately compete with Ayden Greene for the most targets in 2026.
Hawkins was terrific last season. Injuries kept him from putting up bigger numbers. The only one of Steele’s selections you could argue with is Love. Love could easily be the first-team All-ACC kicker.
Anyhow, make sure to pick up Steele’s 2026 preview once it hits newsstands, or order directly from his website. It’s worth it.
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