4-star OT Thomas Wilder decommits from Virginia Tech

Virginia Beach (Va.) Green Run four-star offensive tackle Thomas Wilder has decommitted from Virginia Tech, he tells Rivals’ Chad Simmons.

He was pledged to the Hokies since July 3, but is now back on the board following the firing of VT head coach Brent Pry.

Wilder is the No. 334 overall prospect and No. 29 OT in the 2026 cycle, according to the Rivals Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all major recruiting media companies. He’s also the No. 10 player in Virginia.

“I still have much love for Tech, but I am also weighing out my options right now,” Wilder told Simmons.

The 6-foot-6, 285-pounder had a lowkey recruiting process, but the Hokies began to trend in the lead-up to his July decision. With an overhaul coming in Blacksburg, though, he’s now looking elsewhere. Wilder entered Sunday as one of just 11 commits in Virginia Tech’s 2026 class.

The tackle has been on scout’s radars for multiple years. Back in 2023, he drew early praise from Rivals’ Director of Scouting and Rankings Charles Power:

“An easy, natural mover. Works to the second level effortlessly,” Power wrote. “Seeks out linebackers and looks to finish with authority. A bully in the run game. Plays with a nasty streak. Shows advanced pop in his hands. Has good flexibility with the ability to drop his weight and anchor on contact. Will need to continue refining his game and developing physically, but looks to be a top offensive lineman early on in 2026.”

Virginia Tech fires Brent Pry

The Hokies fell to 0-3 on Saturday following a 45-26 loss to Old Dominion. That defeat dropped Virginia Tech to 16-24 under Pry. Prior to the game against Old Dominion, Pry told media that he was trying to block out the growing negativity around the program.

“I think you guys know I’m always going to find the positives,” he said. “I think the guys need to, you know, the external noise is always, if you lose, it’s negative. We don’t want them listening to that. Listen to what’s fair, where the expectations weren’t met, where we have to be better, you see it, we see it, as coaches and players. But let’s not lose sight of the team that we’ve been at times, also that’s a pretty good football team.”

Following that loss however, it was evident that the marriage between Virginia Tech and Pry could not go on for much longer. The former Penn State defensive coordinator was hired in Nov. 2021 as Tech’s next head coach, replacing Justin Fuente. Fuente experienced much more success than Pry during his stint in Blacksburg (2016-21), as he went 43–31 overall and 28-20 in the ACC across six seasons.

On3’s Daniel Hager contributed to this story.