COLLEGE FOOTBALL
Virginia Tech landed former North Carolina quarterback Bryce Baker as a transfer-portal addition. The 6-foot-2, 200-pounder will have four years of eligibility.
He didn’t play for the Tar Heels in 2025, his only year with them. He starred for East Forsyth High, leading that school in North Carolina to two conference championships and a record of 23-3 in two years. He threw for 6,605 yards and 79 touchdowns along with 536 rushing yards and nine touchdowns.
Marlion Jackson, a 6-2, 206-pound wide receiver from Louisiana Tech, committed to Virginia Tech, according to Tech Sideline. He had 20 catches for 370 yards and two touchdowns in 2025.
Also committing to the Hokies was wide receiver Que’Sean Brown from Duke, who has compiled 105 receptions for 1,291 yards and seven touchdowns in two seasons.
Offensive lineman Michael Troutman, a 6-2, 308-pounder fromf Trenton, New Jersey, who redshirted in 2025, committed to Virginia Tech. So did edge defenders Mylachi Williams and Cortez Harris. All three were with Penn State, where current Hokies coach James Franklin had been employed until the middle of the 2025 season.
Yet another Hokies commitment was Ohio State transfer defensive tackle Eric Mensah.
Ex-UNC tight end Cox chooses UVA
Virginia gained a commitment from former North Carolina tight end Connor Cox, a 6-6, 250-pounder, according to Wahoos 247. He made five catches in 2025.
The Cavaliers also gained a commitment from edge defender Devon Baxter, a Michigan transfer, according to On3 Sports. Meanwhile, starting kicker Will Bettridge said he’ll return to UVA.
JMU lands WR, CB
James Madison signed Jeremiah Harrison, a 6-1 wide receiver from East Tennessee State. Committing to the Dukes, according to his Instagram, was 6-1, 185-pound cornerback DJ Kelly from Toledo. He had 10 tackles, an interception and a sack in 2025.
Ex-Churchland star hits portal
Michigan defensive back Brandyn Hillman, who starred for Churchland High, has entered the transfer portal.
Hillman, a former All-Tidewater star, finished with 49 tackles, one forced fumble and one interception and was named an All-Big Ten selection. He has played 32 games for the Wolverines.
COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Report: UVA to name Tony Bennett Court at JPJ
Virginia will rename the playing surface at John Paul Jones Arena to Tony Bennett Court during the Cavaliers’ game against North Carolina on Jan. 24, according to multiple reports.
COLLEGE SWIMMING
VWU women win twice, men once at home
Virginia Wesleyan’s men went 1-1 and its women were 2-0 in Saturday competition at home against North Carolina schools.The Marlins’ men lost to Barton 123.5-83.5 but beat Chowan 102-84. The VWU women defeated Barton 97-84 and Chowan 131-39.
VWU’s Lana Macchi won the 50-yard breaststroke in a school-record 32.74 seconds. The Marlins honored their three women’s seniors: Abigail Carlson, Erin Beaudry and Sarah Czapp.
VWU also honored its two men’s seniors: Logan Schohn and Cael Long. Long tied for first in the 50 backstroke in 25.37.
BOXING
‘Slugger’ Forrest wins by TKO at Rivers Casino
Newport News heavyweight Jerry “Slugger” Forrest, a 207-pounder, earned a technical knockout of 214-pound Walter Burns in the featured bout of a Friday night card at Rivers Casino in Portsmouth.
Forrest improved to 30-6-2 and extended his winning streak to four. Burns (8-4) got up after being knocked down but looked dazed, and the referee ended the bout.
COLLEGE MEN’S VOLLEYBALL
Regent falls in opener of first D-III season
Regent began its season by losing 3-0 (25-21, 25-20, 25-21) to Shenandoah in Norfolk Christian’s gym. Keith Larkin led the Royals with nine kills and had 11 digs, while Western Branch High graduate Jaxson Gray had four kills and seven digs.
This is Regent’s first Division III season, and former Royals standout player Colby Yawn is the head coach. Regent was to face Randolph later in the day.
COLLEGE TENNIS
W&M unveils schedules
William & Mary revealed a 21-match men’s schedule that will start with a pair of indoor clashes at McCormack-Nagelsen Tennis Center: Jan. 30 against Georgetown and Feb. 1 versus Longwood. The W&M women have 19 scheduled matches, 12 of those at home — including the opener Jan. 31 against Norfolk State.
Both Tribe teams will host the Coastal Athletic Association championship tournament April 17-19 at Mackesy Tennis Center. The top six men’s and top six women’s teams, as determined by a seeding committee, will take part.
https://www.dailypress.com/2026/01/11/virginia-tech-lands-unc-transfer-quarterback/
