This year's iteration of EA's College Football series — College Football 27, the third in the series — is slated for release July 9. Ahead of the release, here's my projected ratings for how each player on Virginia Tech's defense pans out:Defensive LineKemari Copeland - 88Elhadj Fall - 81Aycen Stevens - 80Emmett Laws - 79Jason Abbey - 79Javion Hilson - 79Deric Dandy - 78Eric Mensah - 78Samuel Okunlola - 77Brett Clatterbaugh - 75Gerard Johnson III - 74Sherrod Henderson - 73Mylachi Williams - 73Randy Adirika - 73T-Ron Richardson - 72Cortez Harris - 72Daniel Jennings - 71Zeke Chinwike - 70Kamren Johnson - 70Garrett Witherington - 69Grant Karczewski - 69Thoughts: Phil Steele put Copeland his Preseason All-ACC First Team and for good reason. He is the obvious headliner here after earning preseason All-ACC recognition and entering the year as Virginia Tech's most proven interior defender. Behind him, there's a sizable group of players who could factor into the rotation, including Elhadj Fall, Aycen Stevens and several younger edge options. That's why the ratings flatten out somewhat after Copeland. The top-end talent is there, but much of the room still has to prove it can consistently produce over a full ACC schedule.LinebackersKaleb Spencer - 85Noah Chambers - 82Gabe Williams - 79Curtis Jones - 79Antwone Santiago - 77Keon Wylie - 75George Ballance - 74Mathieu Lamah - 71Terry Wiggins - 71John-Patrick Oates - 69Thoughts: Spencer gets the nod as the highest-rated linebacker because he's arguably the safest bet on the defense entering 2026. The Miami transfer arrived with Power Four experience and projects as a centerpiece of Brent Pry's unit. Noah Chambers and Gabe Williams also provide intriguing upside, though there is a noticeable gap between Spencer/Chambers and the rest of the room. If Virginia Tech's defense exceeds expectations, linebacker depth will likely be a major reason why.CornerbacksJaquez White - 86Isaiah Brown-Murray - 81Joshua Clarke - 80Kenny Woseley Jr. - 79Cam Chadwick Jr. - 78Thomas Williams - 76Jordan Crim - 74Amauri Polydor - 73Jahmari DeLoatch - 72Thoughts: White earns the highest rating here after a stellar 2025 season at Troy. White recorded 67 tackles, three interceptions and double-digit pass breakups while grading out as one of the best Group of Five corners in the country. Joshua Clarke — back from an ACL injury that cost him all of 2025 — and Isaiah Brown-Murray round out a corner room that has more proven experience than it did a year ago. White's arrival gives Virginia Tech a relatively concrete CB1 entering the season.SafetiesQuentin Reddish - 85Tyson Flowers - 79Jordan Bass - 76Sherrod Covil - 76Sheldon Robinson - 76Tyrell Grant - 76Brennan Johnson - 74Knahlij Harrell - 72Thoughts: Reddish is the easiest projection on the backend. Before injury cut short his 2025 campaign, he looked poised for a breakout season and remains one of the more talented defensive backs on the roster. Flowers, Covil and Bass all have experience from multiple Power Four programs, giving Virginia Tech a fairly deep, though unremarkable safety group.Add us as a preferred source on GoogleFollow