In 2026, the college football transfer portal has never truly stopped spinning. In the last few weeks, we've seen dozens of players winning eligibility stemming from various lawsuits across the country. As a result, newly-eligible players are continuing to find new homes even as teams are days away from starting their seasons.
One player who has done just that is former South Carolina safety DQ Smith. Columbia, S.C. native is reportedly heading to Virginia Tech to play for first-year Hokie head coach James Franklin. The news of Smith's arrival in Blacksburg was first reported by Evan Watkins of VT Scoop.
REPORT: The #Hokies have added former South Carolina safety DQ Smith (6-1, 219) to their 2026 roster, per @247Sports.
— Tech Sideline (@TechSideline) September 1, 2026
Smith tallied 228 tackles, 4.5 TFLs and five interceptions in his four seasons with the Gamecocks.
📸- South Carolina Athletics pic.twitter.com/ehN2niZAiU
Smith entered the transfer portal on Aug. 23 after being one of several players given a fifth season of eligibility stemming from a lawsuit filed in the state of Louisiana. He spent the last four seasons at South Carolina, where he finished with 228 total tackles, five interceptions and three forced fumbles. He led the Gamecock in tackling last season, getting 64 total stops.
LaNorris Sellers ready to 'finish what he started' after saying loyal to South Carolina
Smith earned the extra season as a result of lawsuits stemming from the NCAA changing its eligibility guidelines from four years to five. Also granted an additional season was former Cleveland Browns tight end Dae'Qwan Wright and former New Orleans Saints defensive end Zxavian Harris. Both Wright and Harris, who played previously at Ole Miss, have since signed with Lane Kiffin and LSU.
The players returning to college rosters have started a firestorm across both the SEC and other power-conferences. The SEC, ACC and Big Ten have since passed rules prohibiting former pro athletes from returning to college. The SEC is also reportedly considering imposing some extreme measures, from boycotting LSU to expelling the Tigers from competition altogether.
The good news for Coach Franklin and the Hokies is that Smith did not sign an NFL contract with a team before returning to college. He was invited to several rookie camps this past spring, but never made a roster. He last tried out for the Minnesota Vikings earlier in August, according to ESPN. But since he did not make the team, he would not be included in the SEC and other conference's ban barring former pro players from returning to college.
South Carolina head coach Shane Beamer, like Franklin, also took advantage of the late recruiting opportunity, signing former App State defensive back Ethan Johnson last month. It had been previously reported that Smith returning to South Carolina was unlikely.
At Virginia Tech, Smith joins a defensive backs room that features returning starters in Tyson Flowers and Thomas Williams. Franklin also brought over talented Penn State transfers in Kenny Woseley Jr. from Penn State, Jaquez White from Troy and Cam Chadwicck Jr. from UConn.
The Hokies open their 2026 season at home against Virginia Military Institute on Saturday, Sept. 5 at 7:30 p.m. ET. We'll see if Smith suits up and plays for VT, or if he is just seen on the sideline instead.
Bryan Thomas Jr. earns roster spot with Jaguars to follow in father's footsteps
Add us as a preferred source on Google