In their first year under head coach Jerry Claiborne, the Gobblers compiled a 4–5 record (2–3 in conference games), finished seventh in the SoCon, and were outscored by a total of 112 to 93.

"[3] The team played its home games at Miles Stadium in Blacksburg, Virginia.

Three others received honorable mention: back Gerald Bobbitte; tackle Gene Breen; and guard Newt Green.

[14] Tackle Gene Breen was selected as a first-team player on the 1961 All-Southern Conference football team.

[15] The following players received varsity letters for their participation on the 1961 Virginia Tech football team: Other players identified from the roster published in the 1962 edition of The Bugle, the Virginia Tech yearbook, included: [16]