When Matt Moore was hired as the offensive line coach at Virginia Tech, replacing Ron Crook, he inherited a daunting challenge. The Hokies’ offensive line was in shambles, with numerous players either exhausting their eligibility or leaving via the transfer portal. Moore faced the monumental task of rebuilding the unit almost entirely from scratch. However, he wasted no time in setting the wheels in motion.
Moore’s first significant move came quickly when Tomas Rimac, a player he coached at West Virginia, decided to follow him to Virginia Tech. Rimac, with one year of eligibility left, became the first piece of what Moore hopes will be a revamped and competitive offensive line. Yet, Rimac was only the beginning. To reconstruct the line, Moore knew he would need to secure multiple additions through the transfer portal to compensate for the significant departures.
On Monday afternoon, Virginia Tech announced another crucial commitment to its offensive line—one that further highlights Moore’s ability to attract familiar faces from his West Virginia days.
Former West Virginia OL Kyle Altuner Commits to Virginia Tech
While the Hokies were in Charlotte preparing for their matchup against Minnesota in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl at Bank of America Stadium, they secured a vital addition for the 2025 season. Kyle Altuner, a former four-star recruit from West Virginia, officially committed to Virginia Tech. Altuner, ranked as the top prospect in his state for the Class of 2024 by 247Sports, also held the distinction of being the 14th-highest-ranked interior offensive lineman in the country.
Altuner brings considerable potential to Blacksburg, with four years of eligibility remaining. His arrival adds much-needed depth to the position, which has been severely depleted. The Hokies have already lost several key players, including Xavier Chaplin, who transferred to Auburn, and Braelin Moore, who entered the portal and committed to LSU. Additionally, veterans Parker Clements and Kaden Moore will not return next season after exhausting their eligibility.
For Matt Moore, the job is far from done. While securing Rimac and Altuner represents an encouraging start, there is still a significant amount of work to be done. Moore must continue targeting experienced players in the portal while simultaneously developing younger linemen already on the roster.
Rebuilding the offensive line is never an easy task, especially when faced with such extensive turnover. However, Moore’s swift actions and ability to draw talent like Rimac and Altuner demonstrate his commitment to revitalizing the unit. As the Hokies look ahead to the 2025 season, their success will hinge on Moore’s ability to mold a cohesive and resilient offensive line in Blacksburg.
BREAKING: Virginia Tech football’s OL rebuild lands huge commitment from West Virginia transfer
