Where will Hokie Tracks sign on Wednesday?

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Recruiting, recruiting, recruiting. Tech target Joel Caleb was unanimously voted as the top recruit from the Richmond Metro area.

"He's a great athlete. An elite athlete," one coach said. "He has size, speed — all those things. I think he's clearly the No. 1."

Another coach added, "He has great explosion and acceleration. He can run away from people."

If the receiver picks the Hokies on Wednesday, Tech will sign 4 of the 5 on the T-D's 2012 A-List. Caleb is 90% sure of where he'll end up. The Hokies are relentlessly pursuing defensive tackle Korren Kirven, who made his official visit to Tech this past weekend, but so are Alabama and Tennessee.

He made an official visit to Alabama last weekend. Tennessee coach Derek Dooley visited Brookville on Monday to make a final plea with the player, and Alabama coach Nick Saban was in Lynchburg on Wednesday to put in a final word for the Crimson Tide.

When people throw around the phrase "SEC lineman" a player like Kirven is who their describing. He's big, has a frame to get bigger, quick and makes playing DT look easy. Rivals has declared the Hokies winners of the "Battle for Virginia".

While Virginia may have reeled in the top player in the state, Eli Harold, it is the Hokies that have enjoyed the majority of the recruiting success in the state. The Hokies already have commitments from seven of the top 15 players in the state, but almost as importantly they may add three more to that total on Signing Day. Joel Caleb, Korren Kirven and Ken Ekanem are all four-star prospects who are ranked in the top eight in the state and at this time each favors Virginia Tech.

Kirven, Caleb and Ekanem will announce their decisions on Wednesday, National Signing Day, at 8:00, 8:30 and 9:00 AM respectively.

More recruiting. The Icebox has spoken. "Not to mention, #Hokie fans, yall in for a treat come Wednesday!" J.C. Coleman is in the ear's of Tech targets, and that's a good thing.

"He was a great recruiter for us and still is," running backs coach Shane Beamer. "He's an engaging personality."

How great we're about to learn.

Coleman, who rushed for 4,416 yards in his career and led Oscar Smith to the Division 6 state championship as a senior, said his primary targets were South County linebacker Devin Vandyke, Clover Hill receiver Joel Caleb, Centreville defensive end Ken Ekanem and Brookville defensive lineman Korren Kirven.

I mean, look at that haircut.

The ACC winter meetings are happening this week. Among other things, the powers that be are no doubt finalizing the football schedule and as David Teel points out are determining which divisions to slot Pitt and Syracuse into.

If I'm a fan of Virginia or Virginia Tech, both Coastal members, I'd prefer the Panthers in the division because a road trip to Pittsburgh every other year is easier than the hike to Syracuse. Plus, Heinz Field parking is far better for tailgating than the Carrier Dome. That said, the dome, though an eyesore, protects spectators from the elements.

Placing Syracuse in the Atlantic also would give the Orange a yearly divisional game against Boston College. Those programs clashed annually, with two exceptions, from 1961-2004.

So if the ACC opts for Syracuse to the Coastal, don't be surprised if Virginia Tech's annual Atlantic crossover opponent is changed from Boston College to Pitt. That shift would free the Eagles to become crossovers with the Orange.

Personally, I'd rather us not travel to Syracuse each season. Playing in Pitt every other year will help our recruiting efforts in Pennsylvania. It's not going to happen, but I'd love it if the ACC moved Maryland to the Coastal, put Pitt and 'Cuse into the Atlantic, and Pitt became our crossover rival. What do you guys think?

It's always more fun to drive around the beltway when you beat Maryland. Another slow start for Hokies Hoops and another loss. That's 6 out of the last 7. Erick Green, like everyone else, isn't happy with the effort.

"It starts with leadership and the main thing is getting these guys amped up," said Green, who finished with a team-high 18 points on 8-of-21 shooting. "At the same time, when you step on the court you should already be fired up. Someone shouldn't have to tell you: 'Get up. This is a big game.' ... It should just come natural. We're young; I'm not gonna use that as an excuse. But these young guys don't really know what it's like right now. So we got to get them ready."

At the beginning of the season it wasn't reasonable to expect the freshman to play like polished veterans; mistakes were eminent. However, I presumed that 1) the young kids would be excited for the opportunity to play meaningful minutes in ACC games and 2) they'd get better as the season progressed. I'm not sure if either is the case.

It looks like the Hokies will play the Cincinnati Bearcats at FedEx on Saturday September 29th (via @rhefter). Prices range from $65 to $149 a ticket. Is that too much for a non-marquee non-conference game, will you still go?

Comments

Obnoxious prices

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North Carolina Raised, Hokie Bred

Only two logical reasons to go to Tenn

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🦃 🦃 🦃

Hopefully everyone realizes VT isn't setting these tix prices

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VT isn't on the hook for any tickets that I am aware of

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FedEx

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Cheri
Virginia Tech alumna
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Hokies, Redskins, Capitals, D.C. United, Orioles, A.S. Roma

Clemson

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North Carolina Raised, Hokie Bred

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Best duos in Hokie history: Hall & Adibi, 3rd & Tyrod, Georgia & Liz