The plan was for both Peak brothers to be on the Virginia Tech football team this year.

But neither one will be.

Former Pulaski County linebacker Tahrick Peak, who signed with the Hokies in February, is now headed to Texas Tech instead.

Texas Tech assistant coach Robert Prunty said Thursday that Peak told him he was denied admission by Virginia Tech. Peak signed with Texas Tech last Friday and was admitted to the Big 12 school Thursday, said Prunty.

Also Thursday, Peak's older brother, Hokies flanker Nubian Peak, was granted his release from Virginia Tech. Nubian Peak, a former All-Timesland running back for Pulaski County who was redshirted as a freshman last fall, requested his release Wednesday. He is free to transfer to any college.

Neither brother could be reached for comment Thursday.

Prunty said Tahrick called him last Thursday and told him he needed to find a new school because the Virginia Tech admissions office turned him down last month.

Prunty, formerly the coach of Hargrave Military Academy's postgraduate team, was hired by new Texas Tech coach Tommy Tuberville last winter to be his outside linebackers coach.

Prunty coached a number of ex-Pulaski County players at Hargrave, including current Tampa Bay Buccaneers player Brandon Anderson.

Tahrick "said that from talking to Brandon and all the guys back in Pulaski County, that he trusted me," Prunty said. "So I talked to some people at Pulaski County and some of my former players who know him.

"I also looked at his [video] and stuff on YouTube and Rivals, and our defensive coordinator looked at it. ... That's a rare breed of athleticism."

Prunty said Tahrick, who will be a linebacker for Texas Tech, has met NCAA freshman eligibility standards.

"He's got good grades," Prunty said. "He had a 2.9 grade-point average, but his SAT score was just 830. But all you need is a 2.5 and an 820."

Tahrick told Prunty that Hokies coach Frank Beamer suggested Tahrick play for Hargrave.

Prunty said Tahrick considered Hargrave but also contacted several colleges, including Penn State and Texas Tech.

Prunty said he has not heard from Nubian Peak.