Virginia Tech has made a significant addition to its defensive lineup with the transfer of standout defensive tackle **Kody Huisman** from North Dakota State. Huisman, a dominant force in the FCS, brings experience, skill, and a winning mentality to the Hokies as they prepare for the upcoming season.
### A Proven Defensive Force
Huisman had an impressive 2024 season at North Dakota State, recording **37 tackles and 7.5 tackles for loss** [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=eyJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tTb3VyY2UiOiJjaXRhdGlvbkxpbmsiLCJldmVudEluZm9fY29udmVyc2F0aW9uSWQiOiJwVTdoY0MxYXhhbkJNdGJSclFROEciLCJldmVudEluZm9fbWVzc2FnZUlkIjoiZ01kOUptVWJRcjUxTnFVVlJWQ3RuIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrRGVzdGluYXRpb24iOiJodHRwczpcL1wvd3d3Lm1zbi5jb21cL2VuLXVzXC9zcG9ydHNcL290aGVyXC92aXJnaW5pYS10ZWNoLWZvb3RiYWxsLWhva2llcy1sYW5kLWNvbW1pdG1lbnQtZnJvbS1ub3J0aC1kYWtvdGEtc3RhdGUtdHJhbnNmZXIta29keS1odWlzbWFuXC9hci1BQTFEdHprdCJ9&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=eyJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tTb3VyY2UiOiJjaXRhdGlvbkxpbmsiLCJldmVudEluZm9fY29udmVyc2F0aW9uSWQiOiJwVTdoY0MxYXhhbkJNdGJSclFROEciLCJldmVudEluZm9fbWVzc2FnZUlkIjoiZ01kOUptVWJRcjUxTnFVVlJWQ3RuIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrRGVzdGluYXRpb24iOiJodHRwczpcL1wvd3d3Lm1zbi5jb21cL2VuLXVzXC9zcG9ydHNcL290aGVyXC92aXJnaW5pYS10ZWNoLWZvb3RiYWxsLWhva2llcy1sYW5kLWNvbW1pdG1lbnQtZnJvbS1ub3J0aC1kYWtvdGEtc3RhdGUtdHJhbnNmZXIta29keS1odWlzbWFuXC9hci1BQTFEdHprdCJ9&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=eyJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tTb3VyY2UiOiJjaXRhdGlvbkxpbmsiLCJldmVudEluZm9fY29udmVyc2F0aW9uSWQiOiJwVTdoY0MxYXhhbkJNdGJSclFROEciLCJldmVudEluZm9fbWVzc2FnZUlkIjoiZ01kOUptVWJRcjUxTnFVVlJWQ3RuIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrRGVzdGluYXRpb24iOiJodHRwczpcL1wvd3d3Lm1zbi5jb21cL2VuLXVzXC9zcG9ydHNcL290aGVyXC92aXJnaW5pYS10ZWNoLWZvb3RiYWxsLWhva2llcy1sYW5kLWNvbW1pdG1lbnQtZnJvbS1ub3J0aC1kYWtvdGEtc3RhdGUtdHJhbnNmZXIta29keS1odWlzbWFuXC9hci1BQTFEdHprdCJ9&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=eyJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tTb3VyY2UiOiJjaXRhdGlvbkxpbmsiLCJldmVudEluZm9fY29udmVyc2F0aW9uSWQiOiJwVTdoY0MxYXhhbkJNdGJSclFROEciLCJldmVudEluZm9fbWVzc2FnZUlkIjoiZ01kOUptVWJRcjUxTnFVVlJWQ3RuIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrRGVzdGluYXRpb24iOiJodHRwczpcL1wvd3d3Lm1zbi5jb21cL2VuLXVzXC9zcG9ydHNcL290aGVyXC92aXJnaW5pYS10ZWNoLWZvb3RiYWxsLWhva2llcy1sYW5kLWNvbW1pdG1lbnQtZnJvbS1ub3J0aC1kYWtvdGEtc3RhdGUtdHJhbnNmZXIta29keS1odWlzbWFuXC9hci1BQTFEdHprdCJ9&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=eyJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tTb3VyY2UiOiJjaXRhdGlvbkxpbmsiLCJldmVudEluZm9fY29udmVyc2F0aW9uSWQiOiJwVTdoY0MxYXhhbkJNdGJSclFROEciLCJldmVudEluZm9fbWVzc2FnZUlkIjoiZ01kOUptVWJRcjUxTnFVVlJWQ3RuIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrRGVzdGluYXRpb24iOiJodHRwczpcL1wvd3d3Lm1zbi5jb21cL2VuLXVzXC9zcG9ydHNcL290aGVyXC92aXJnaW5pYS10ZWNoLWZvb3RiYWxsLWhva2llcy1sYW5kLWNvbW1pdG1lbnQtZnJvbS1ub3J0aC1kYWtvdGEtc3RhdGUtdHJhbnNmZXIta29keS1odWlzbWFuXC9hci1BQTFEdHprdCJ9&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=eyJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tTb3VyY2UiOiJjaXRhdGlvbkxpbmsiLCJldmVudEluZm9fY29udmVyc2F0aW9uSWQiOiJwVTdoY0MxYXhhbkJNdGJSclFROEciLCJldmVudEluZm9fbWVzc2FnZUlkIjoiZ01kOUptVWJRcjUxTnFVVlJWQ3RuIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrRGVzdGluYXRpb24iOiJodHRwczpcL1wvd3d3Lm1zbi5jb21cL2VuLXVzXC9zcG9ydHNcL290aGVyXC92aXJnaW5pYS10ZWNoLWZvb3RiYWxsLWhva2llcy1sYW5kLWNvbW1pdG1lbnQtZnJvbS1ub3J0aC1kYWtvdGEtc3RhdGUtdHJhbnNmZXIta29keS1odWlzbWFuXC9hci1BQTFEdHprdCJ9&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=eyJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tTb3VyY2UiOiJjaXRhdGlvbkxpbmsiLCJldmVudEluZm9fY29udmVyc2F0aW9uSWQiOiJwVTdoY0MxYXhhbkJNdGJSclFROEciLCJldmVudEluZm9fbWVzc2FnZUlkIjoiZ01kOUptVWJRcjUxTnFVVlJWQ3RuIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrRGVzdGluYXRpb24iOiJodHRwczpcL1wvd3d3Lm1zbi5jb21cL2VuLXVzXC9zcG9ydHNcL290aGVyXC92aXJnaW5pYS10ZWNoLWZvb3RiYWxsLWhva2llcy1sYW5kLWNvbW1pdG1lbnQtZnJvbS1ub3J0aC1kYWtvdGEtc3RhdGUtdHJhbnNmZXIta29keS1odWlzbWFuXC9hci1BQTFEdHprdCJ9&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1). Huisman will compete for a starting role alongside **Kelvin Gilliam Jr.**, who had an impressive 2024 season with **35 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, and a sack** [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=eyJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tTb3VyY2UiOiJjaXRhdGlvbkxpbmsiLCJldmVudEluZm9fY29udmVyc2F0aW9uSWQiOiJwVTdoY0MxYXhhbkJNdGJSclFROEciLCJldmVudEluZm9fbWVzc2FnZUlkIjoiZ01kOUptVWJRcjUxTnFVVlJWQ3RuIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrRGVzdGluYXRpb24iOiJodHRwczpcL1wvd3d3Lm1zbi5jb21cL2VuLXVzXC9zcG9ydHNcL290aGVyXC92aXJnaW5pYS10ZWNoLWZvb3RiYWxsLWhva2llcy1sYW5kLWNvbW1pdG1lbnQtZnJvbS1ub3J0aC1kYWtvdGEtc3RhdGUtdHJhbnNmZXIta29keS1odWlzbWFuXC9hci1BQTFEdHprdCJ9&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1). The competition for playing time will be fierce, but Huisman’s experience and skill set make him a strong contender.
### Impact on the Hokies
Huisman’s ability to stop the run and pressure quarterbacks will be crucial for Virginia Tech’s defensive success. His **6-foot-4, 283-pound frame** allows him to dominate at the line of scrimmage, making him a valuable asset against high-powered offenses [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=eyJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tTb3VyY2UiOiJjaXRhdGlvbkxpbmsiLCJldmVudEluZm9fY29udmVyc2F0aW9uSWQiOiJwVTdoY0MxYXhhbkJNdGJSclFROEciLCJldmVudEluZm9fbWVzc2FnZUlkIjoiZ01kOUptVWJRcjUxTnFVVlJWQ3RuIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrRGVzdGluYXRpb24iOiJodHRwczpcL1wvd3d3Lm1zbi5jb21cL2VuLXVzXC9zcG9ydHNcL290aGVyXC92aXJnaW5pYS10ZWNoLWZvb3RiYWxsLWhva2llcy1sYW5kLWNvbW1pdG1lbnQtZnJvbS1ub3J0aC1kYWtvdGEtc3RhdGUtdHJhbnNmZXIta29keS1odWlzbWFuXC9hci1BQTFEdHprdCJ9&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1). His leadership and championship experience will also bring a winning mentality to the Hokies.
Virginia Tech fans can expect Huisman to make an immediate impact, whether as a starter or a key rotational player. His ability to disrupt plays, force turnovers, and contribute in clutch moments will be essential as the Hokies aim for a strong season.
### Looking Ahead
With Huisman joining Virginia Tech, the Hokies have solidified their defensive front with a proven playmaker. His transition from North Dakota State to the ACC presents an exciting challenge, but his track record suggests he is more than ready to rise to the occasion. As Virginia Tech prepares for the 2025 season, Huisman’s presence will be a key factor in their defensive success. Fans eagerly await his debut in Blacksburg, where he will look to leave a lasting impact on the Hokies’ defense.
