Virginia Tech has made a significant addition to its defensive lineup with the commitment of **Kody Huisman**, a standout defensive tackle from North Dakota State. Huisman’s arrival marks a crucial step in the Hokies’ efforts to strengthen their defensive front ahead of the 2025 season.
### A Proven Force at North Dakota State
Huisman was a dominant presence in the FCS, playing a key role in North Dakota State’s success. In the 2024 season, he recorded **37 tackles and 7.5 tackles for loss**, earning an **80.7 PFF grade** [A](https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/other/virginia-tech-football-hokies-land-commitment-from-north-dakota-state-transfer-kody-huisman/ar-AA1Dtzkt?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tTb3VyY2UiOiJjaXRhdGlvbkxpbmsiLCJldmVudEluZm9fY29udmVyc2F0aW9uSWQiOiJwVTdoY0MxYXhhbkJNdGJSclFROEciLCJldmVudEluZm9fbWVzc2FnZUlkIjoiTmRlNFJlV2ZoQ01idmdMNEVVeFVyIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrRGVzdGluYXRpb24iOiJodHRwczpcL1wvd3d3Lm1zbi5jb21cL2VuLXVzXC9zcG9ydHNcL290aGVyXC92aXJnaW5pYS10ZWNoLWZvb3RiYWxsLWhva2llcy1sYW5kLWNvbW1pdG1lbnQtZnJvbS1ub3J0aC1kYWtvdGEtc3RhdGUtdHJhbnNmZXIta29keS1odWlzbWFuXC9hci1BQTFEdHprdCJ9&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1). His ability to disrupt plays and pressure opposing offenses made him one of the top returning defensive tackles in the FCS. His performance earned him an **honorable mention in the All-Missouri Valley Football Conference**, highlighting his impact on the field [A](https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/other/virginia-tech-football-hokies-land-commitment-from-north-dakota-state-transfer-kody-huisman/ar-AA1Dtzkt?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tTb3VyY2UiOiJjaXRhdGlvbkxpbmsiLCJldmVudEluZm9fY29udmVyc2F0aW9uSWQiOiJwVTdoY0MxYXhhbkJNdGJSclFROEciLCJldmVudEluZm9fbWVzc2FnZUlkIjoiTmRlNFJlV2ZoQ01idmdMNEVVeFVyIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrRGVzdGluYXRpb24iOiJodHRwczpcL1wvd3d3Lm1zbi5jb21cL2VuLXVzXC9zcG9ydHNcL290aGVyXC92aXJnaW5pYS10ZWNoLWZvb3RiYWxsLWhva2llcy1sYW5kLWNvbW1pdG1lbnQtZnJvbS1ub3J0aC1kYWtvdGEtc3RhdGUtdHJhbnNmZXIta29keS1odWlzbWFuXC9hci1BQTFEdHprdCJ9&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1).
Beyond his tackling ability, Huisman showcased his versatility by blocking two field goals in back-to-back weeks against South Dakota State and Murray State [A](https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/other/virginia-tech-football-hokies-land-commitment-from-north-dakota-state-transfer-kody-huisman/ar-AA1Dtzkt?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tTb3VyY2UiOiJjaXRhdGlvbkxpbmsiLCJldmVudEluZm9fY29udmVyc2F0aW9uSWQiOiJwVTdoY0MxYXhhbkJNdGJSclFROEciLCJldmVudEluZm9fbWVzc2FnZUlkIjoiTmRlNFJlV2ZoQ01idmdMNEVVeFVyIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrRGVzdGluYXRpb24iOiJodHRwczpcL1wvd3d3Lm1zbi5jb21cL2VuLXVzXC9zcG9ydHNcL290aGVyXC92aXJnaW5pYS10ZWNoLWZvb3RiYWxsLWhva2llcy1sYW5kLWNvbW1pdG1lbnQtZnJvbS1ub3J0aC1kYWtvdGEtc3RhdGUtdHJhbnNmZXIta29keS1odWlzbWFuXC9hci1BQTFEdHprdCJ9&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1). His presence in crucial moments helped North Dakota State secure an **FCS National Championship**, proving his ability to perform under pressure [A](https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/other/virginia-tech-football-hokies-land-commitment-from-north-dakota-state-transfer-kody-huisman/ar-AA1Dtzkt?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tTb3VyY2UiOiJjaXRhdGlvbkxpbmsiLCJldmVudEluZm9fY29udmVyc2F0aW9uSWQiOiJwVTdoY0MxYXhhbkJNdGJSclFROEciLCJldmVudEluZm9fbWVzc2FnZUlkIjoiTmRlNFJlV2ZoQ01idmdMNEVVeFVyIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrRGVzdGluYXRpb24iOiJodHRwczpcL1wvd3d3Lm1zbi5jb21cL2VuLXVzXC9zcG9ydHNcL290aGVyXC92aXJnaW5pYS10ZWNoLWZvb3RiYWxsLWhva2llcy1sYW5kLWNvbW1pdG1lbnQtZnJvbS1ub3J0aC1kYWtvdGEtc3RhdGUtdHJhbnNmZXIta29keS1odWlzbWFuXC9hci1BQTFEdHprdCJ9&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1).
### Virginia Tech’s Defensive Strategy
Virginia Tech is undergoing a defensive rebuild after losing key players to the NFL Draft, including **Antwaun Powell-Ryland and Aeneas Peebles** [A](https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/other/virginia-tech-football-hokies-land-commitment-from-north-dakota-state-transfer-kody-huisman/ar-AA1Dtzkt?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tTb3VyY2UiOiJjaXRhdGlvbkxpbmsiLCJldmVudEluZm9fY29udmVyc2F0aW9uSWQiOiJwVTdoY0MxYXhhbkJNdGJSclFROEciLCJldmVudEluZm9fbWVzc2FnZUlkIjoiTmRlNFJlV2ZoQ01idmdMNEVVeFVyIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrRGVzdGluYXRpb24iOiJodHRwczpcL1wvd3d3Lm1zbi5jb21cL2VuLXVzXC9zcG9ydHNcL290aGVyXC92aXJnaW5pYS10ZWNoLWZvb3RiYWxsLWhva2llcy1sYW5kLWNvbW1pdG1lbnQtZnJvbS1ub3J0aC1kYWtvdGEtc3RhdGUtdHJhbnNmZXIta29keS1odWlzbWFuXC9hci1BQTFEdHprdCJ9&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1). The Hokies have been active in the transfer portal, bringing in **James Djonkam (Eastern Michigan), Ben Bell (Texas State), Jahzari Priester (Hampton), and Arias Nash (Mercer)** to strengthen their defensive front [A](https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/other/virginia-tech-football-hokies-land-commitment-from-north-dakota-state-transfer-kody-huisman/ar-AA1Dtzkt?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tTb3VyY2UiOiJjaXRhdGlvbkxpbmsiLCJldmVudEluZm9fY29udmVyc2F0aW9uSWQiOiJwVTdoY0MxYXhhbkJNdGJSclFROEciLCJldmVudEluZm9fbWVzc2FnZUlkIjoiTmRlNFJlV2ZoQ01idmdMNEVVeFVyIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrRGVzdGluYXRpb24iOiJodHRwczpcL1wvd3d3Lm1zbi5jb21cL2VuLXVzXC9zcG9ydHNcL290aGVyXC92aXJnaW5pYS10ZWNoLWZvb3RiYWxsLWhva2llcy1sYW5kLWNvbW1pdG1lbnQtZnJvbS1ub3J0aC1kYWtvdGEtc3RhdGUtdHJhbnNmZXIta29keS1odWlzbWFuXC9hci1BQTFEdHprdCJ9&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1). Huisman’s arrival adds another layer of talent and depth to the team.
Under new defensive coordinator **Sam Siefkes**, Virginia Tech aims to maintain its reputation as one of the most disruptive defensive units in college football [A](https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/other/virginia-tech-football-hokies-land-commitment-from-north-dakota-state-transfer-kody-huisman/ar-AA1Dtzkt?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tTb3VyY2UiOiJjaXRhdGlvbkxpbmsiLCJldmVudEluZm9fY29udmVyc2F0aW9uSWQiOiJwVTdoY0MxYXhhbkJNdGJSclFROEciLCJldmVudEluZm9fbWVzc2FnZUlkIjoiTmRlNFJlV2ZoQ01idmdMNEVVeFVyIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrRGVzdGluYXRpb24iOiJodHRwczpcL1wvd3d3Lm1zbi5jb21cL2VuLXVzXC9zcG9ydHNcL290aGVyXC92aXJnaW5pYS10ZWNoLWZvb3RiYWxsLWhva2llcy1sYW5kLWNvbW1pdG1lbnQtZnJvbS1ub3J0aC1kYWtvdGEtc3RhdGUtdHJhbnNmZXIta29keS1odWlzbWFuXC9hci1BQTFEdHprdCJ9&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1). Huisman will compete for a starting role alongside **Kelvin Gilliam Jr.**, who had an impressive
