The Virginia Tech Hokies added another player to their 2025 recruiting class on Sunday when three-star quarterback AJ Brand committed to the Hokies.
Check out the brand’s commitment video here:
The 6-foot-1 1/2-inch, 204-pound Bland is a native of Columbia, South Carolina, and played for Irmo High School. He chose the Hokies over his hometown Gamecocks and Oregon State. Bland’s commitment gives Virginia Tech its final win over South Carolina this recruiting cycle.
The two-way passer had a stellar junior season, passing for over 2,900 yards and 45 touchdowns while rushing for over 1,100 yards. He’s the No. 18 player in the state and No. 117 player in the country for 2025, according to the 247Sports Composite Rankings.
Brand is Virginia Tech’s second quarterback to commit in the 2025 class, joining DeSoto, Texas, native Kelden Ryan, who was Virginia Tech’s first 2025 commit last summer and has stuck to his pledge to the Hokies.
Virginia Tech’s current starting quarterback, Kyron Draughns, has two more years of eligibility and could make it to the NFL on the strength of his performance late last season. UCLA transfer Collin Schlee has one more year of eligibility and will compete with redshirt freshman Pop Watson for the backup role to Draughns.
Brand can play both offense and defense, so several schools were looking to recruit him as an athlete, but Virginia Tech was looking to acquire him as a quarterback. If he doesn’t work out as a center, the Hokies might move him to defense. Brand is a promising prospect with good size and athleticism, so this would be a good win for head coach Brent Pry and his staff.
He is Virginia Tech’s eighth prospective 2025 recruit.
Welcome back, AJ.
