Virginia Tech football: Former Penn State DL Daniel Jennings commits to Hokies

The NCAA transfer portal opened on Friday with thousands of players across the country entering. Several Virginia Tech Hokies have entered the portal, and on Sunday, the Hokies received their first commitment, as former Penn State defensive lineman Daniel Jennings made it official.

Jennings, a 6-foot-1, 249-pound defensive lineman, is from Princeton, West Virginia, about an hour away from Blacksburg. After being initially recruited to play on the edge for Penn State, Jennings could move inside at the next level. He redshirted in 2025 and has four years of eligibility remaining.

Jennings played on both sides of the ball at Princeton High School, starring as a running back and edge defender. He also played basketball for the Tigers. Jennings graduated from high school early and reclassified to the 2025 class. He should actually be a first-year player in 2026.

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The Hokies had interest in Jennings out of high school, but the Penn State offer changed everything for Jennings at the time. Of course, when he committed to the Nittany Lions, James Franklin was Penn State’s head coach. Franklin is now in Blacksburg. Jennings now returns close to home, playing for a program he liked coming out of high school and a coach he likes and respects. He’ll also get to play for Virginia Tech’s new defensive line coach, Sean Spencer, considered one of the best in college football.

Welcome home, Daniel.