Houshun Gaines Talks Recruitment, Hokies

It wasn't long after Rocky Mount, North Carolina native Houshun Gaines arrived in Blacksburg for his first visit on April 5th that he received his scholarship offer from the Hokies. Coach Charley Wiles, Houshun's primary recruiter, had a bit of a surprise for him.

"When I got to Virginia Tech for the junior day, he [Wiles] told me that after I got signed in for registration and everything he wanted me to meet somebody.

"He ended up taking me down to Coach [Frank] Beamer's office. Me and my dad, we sat down in Coach Beamer's office with Coach Wiles sitting there, and Coach Beamer actually extended the offer to me."

It was a moment Houshun won't soon forget.

"It was amazing. The fact that I actually got to meet him, and he was the one to offer me. That also puts him ahead over pretty much everybody else because he's kinda like a legend. I was blown away."

#GoHokies pic.twitter.com/0IWBNa7uom— Houshun Gaines (@HZGduoUno) April 5, 2014

This February, Houshun got his first offer from Duke. Then Boston College came calling with a scholarship. In the last 10 days NC State and Wake Forest have offered too. North Carolina is getting back into the mix, and according to Houshun, Penn State or West Virginia might be the next to send a scholarship his way. The soon-to-be high school senior's recruitment is really starting to pick up.

Houshun's enjoying the process, and won't decide anytime soon. A commitment date might come August 1st, or the middle of September, nothing's been set in stone.

Although, he knows what he's looking for in a college.

"Wherever I feel like I have the best fit. Whoever recruits me the hardest, and where I have the best relationship with the coaches. Wherever I can become the best football player. Obviously I want to win games and contend for a championship every year I'm there. And wherever I can get the best education, because of course I'm going to college. That's definitely a big factor."

Houshun wants to major in business administration and finance with a minor in hospitality.

Even though Houshun had a conflict and couldn't make it to Blacksburg for the spring game, Coach Wiles has recently checked in on the 6-4, 220 pound defensive end.

Coach wiles is my dude yo.. Frfr — Houshun Gaines (@HZGduoUno) April 30, 2014

Coach wiles came by today.. #GoHokies— Houshun Gaines (@HZGduoUno) April 30, 2014

He said of Tech's defensive line coach, "He's a great guy. He seems to really care about me. We have a great relationship. We hit it off immediately. He's a funny guy. He's cool."

The versatile and sneaky quick defensive end is exactly what Wiles and Bud Foster look for in a pass rusher. He's played a 5-, 7-, and even 4-technique; swimming and ripping his way to the passer. Above all else, his team oriented mentality would fit best in Foster's scheme. I asked him what his biggest strength on the field was. He responded, "Being a leader. Doing whatever it takes to get my team a W. As far as everything else goes, everything else will fall into place. Whatever it takes to win, that's what I'll do."

Houshun's highlights are available on his Hudl.