Virginia Tech is gearing up for the 2026 college football season with a pair of standout athletes who have caught the eye of veteran analyst Bruce Feldman. Both Kemari Copeland and Kaleb Spencer earned spots on his annual ‘Freaks List,’ a ranking that spotlights the nation’s most physically imposing prospects.
Freaks List Highlights
Copeland, a defensive lineman, sits at No. 7 on the list, while linebacker Kaleb Spencer follows at No. 83. Their placements reflect not only personal prowess but also a broader resurgence of the Hokies’ defensive scheme under second‑year head coach Brent Pry.
Copeland’s physical metrics read like a strength‑coach’s dream. He set a Virginia Tech record with a 510‑pound bench press and has since added 735 pounds to his squat. His triple broad jump measured 27 feet, 7 inches, and his 4.64‑second shuttle time eclipses many NFL combine benchmarks, underscoring a rare blend of power and agility.
Spencer, meanwhile, proved his impact on the field last season by leading the Hokies with 67 tackles and nine tackles for loss. This offseason he bench‑pressed 375 pounds, squatted 565 pounds and power‑cleaned 365 pounds, numbers that place him among the most productive linebackers in the ACC.
The defensive unit’s growth is not happening in isolation. Under Coach Pry, who previously mentored NFL‑bound linebackers such as Stephon Hicks, the group is expected to translate these physical gains into on‑field disruption. Former Hokies like Kenji Christian and Cameron Seldon, who once appeared on the ‘Freaks List’ themselves, illustrate a pipeline of talent that the program has historically cultivated.
If the early indicators are any guide, Virginia Tech’s defense could emerge as one of the most feared units in the conference. The combination of Copeland’s explosive interior presence and Spencer’s sideline‑to‑sideline range suggests a scheme that will be difficult to ignore, especially as the team looks to build on a tradition of producing NFL‑ready talent.