Defensive lineman Aeneas Peebles has been an outstanding addition to the Hokies’ defensive line this season.
After playing the past four years at Duke, the Raleigh, North Carolina native transferred to Virginia Tech and has excelled under defensive coordinator Chris Marve and defensive line coach J.C. Price.
Peebles and the Hokies welcome Boston College to Blacksburg for a Thursday night matchup in their next game on Oct. 17 at 7:30 p.m.
Peebles’s most successful season at Duke was during his senior year. The 6-foot-1, 290-pound lineman played in 12 games for the Blue Devils, posting 40 tackles alongside a team-high in tackles for loss (8.5).
In half of his games, Peebles would finish with four tackles and would also record five tackles in three contests (Florida State, Wake Forest, Virginia). For his work in 2023, Peebles would be recognized with Pro Football Focus All-ACC First Team and All-ACC Team honors at the defensive lineman position. The then-senior would also finish with a stellar 90.1 pass rushing grade from Pro Football Focus (PFF).
Peebles would go on to graduate from Duke and enter the transfer portal last November. After being recruited by coach Brent Pry and staff, he verbally committed to the Hokies on Dec. 18 and signed a letter of intent two days later. Over six games this season, it’s evident that the Hokies made the right choice in recruiting the All-ACC defensive lineman.
The Duke transfer has made an immediate impact lining up with fellow defensive linemen Antwaun Powell-Ryland and Josh Fuga. Peebles has posted 18 tackles and 3 sacks so far this season, ranking second amongst defensive linemen in both categories. In his most recent game, Peebles was one of five defensive players to post a tackle for loss, exemplifying the Raleigh, North Carolina native’s ability to disrupt opposing offenses.
Against Rutgers, the fifth-year defensive tackle had his best game of the season, posting five tackles (two solo, three assists) and securing a 0% missed tackle rate according to PFF. So far this season, Peebles has secured a Pro Football Focus defensive rating of over 75 in three games (Vanderbilt, 78.6; Old Dominion, 86.5; Miami, 77.7) and has achieved an overall pass rush rating of 81.5.
Peebles and the Tech defensive line will be back on the field on Oct. 17 against Boston College. The Eagles, who enter the contest at 4-2 (1-1 ACC), haven’t had it easy as four of their six games have been decided by ten points or fewer. While the Boston College contest is now sold out, fans who still want to see Peebles and the Hokies live can seek tickets through SeatGeek, the official fan-to-fan ticket marketplace of Virginia Tech Athletics.
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