I wanted to go in-state, so it was between Tech and UVa. I just couldn't see myself waking up every morning at UVa. [...]'13 Signee David Prince
National Signing Day was relatively drama free for Virginia Tech. No commitments flipped, and only one thing did not go according to plan: tailback Drew Harris didn't sign. Mike Barber provided an update to his situation.
Despite performing well academically at Fork Union Military Academy this semester, Harris still has a multiple NCAA clearing house issues relating back to his high school transcript, a source said Wednesday, national signing day.
The source said the issues don't relate to anything at Virginia Tech or Fork Union, but said Harris won't be part of the class the Hokies announce today.
It's possible Harris will have to enroll at a junior college and play there to become eligible.
Harris is obviously someone who can help the team, but whatever circumstances he is dealing with seem like a mess, and now I'm taking a wait and see approach.
As recruiting coordinator, Bryan Stinespring is positioning the program for greater success on future signing days. He previously announced there are plans to hold more than one on-campus junior day, assistant coaches will spend more time on the road, and they will also help recruit players at their position in addition to their recruiting territory. Those territories have changed too. Frank Beamer and Stinespring announced those details today (via Andy Bitter).
- Shane Beamer: Richmond and Charlotte
- Cornell Brown: Peninsula, Lynchburg, and New Jersey
- Bud Foster: Northern Virginia
- Torrian Grey: Northern Virginia, Georgia, and Florida
- Bryan Stinespring: Tidewater, Martinsville, and Roanoke
- Charley Wiles: Southwest Virginia, North Carolina, and Florida
- Aaron Moorehead: Maryland, Washington D.C., and Chicago
- Jeff Grimes: I-81 corridor, Eastern Pennsylvania, and prep schools
- Scot Loeffler: New River Valley and Western Pennsylvania
I am excited about the 2013 class, because I think it filled some pressing needs, and Tech signed a bunch of prospects who are versatile enough to play multiple positions.
Like I wrote earlier in the day, over the coming months French is going to provide detailed signee profiles for the entire class (read Cequan Jefferson, and Bucky Hodges now), but here are some brief notes from today, and on the class.
I firmly believe football is won or lost in the trenches, so I'm encouraged that there are four, 3-star linemen in this class that actually have experience playing o-line. Kyle Chung, Jonathan McLaughlin, Parker Osterloh, and Braxton Pfaff will all start out at tackle and go from there. The staff believes Chung can play all three positions.
Will either Bucky Hodges or Carlis Parker be Virginia Tech's next starting quarterback? Frank Beamer said Parker has similar skills to Michael Vick, and Stinespring compared Hodges to Logan Thomas. Parker is already enrolled, so he will be able to learn from Logan Thomas this spring, and work with Scot Loeffler.
Kendall Fuller seems primed to play this fall, whether it's as a nickel, corner, or receiver. Frank Beamer said today, "We'll work with him as a return guy. And maybe even after he gets settled defensively maybe get a couple offensive packages or an offensive package he might get involved with." Bud Foster noted that because of Kyle, Kendall will have an understanding of the defensive terminology coming into camp which will eliminate some of the learning curve.
Athletes David Prince, Deon Newsome, and Brandon Facyson can play either receiver or defensive back. It seems Facyson will start on defense, with Prince and Newsome on offense.
Looking forward to 2014, Tech has some obvious needs. The Hokies' roster was already thin at linebacker, and they had at most 3 LBs sign in 2013 (Andrew Motuapuaka [Whip], Jamieon Moss [Backer or Whip], Holland Fisher [more than likely a safety]). If Drew Harris does not qualify, there is only a single tailback, D.J. Reid, in the class. Wyatt Teller was the class' only defensive lineman. However, the current roster has a bevy of talented underclassmen, and Virginia is loaded along the d-line in 2014 (Vincent Mihota and Xavier Burke are already committed to Tech).
It felt like the right thing to do. It's not far from home. It was down to UVa and Tech, and I didn't want to go to UVa.'13 Signee Deon Newsome
Comments
"...because of Kyle, Kendall will have an understanding of the defensive terminology coming into camp which will eliminate some of the learning curve."
That really gave me the image of them both being on the field together for some reason. I can't wait! It's going to be a moment to remember the first time Kendall comes on the field in the ga dome.
Extremely excited about this class. Bud gets three top 100's to work with. Like Joe said, Grimes gets some good OL to coach up. Really excited about Moss too! The future looks promising.
Motuapuaka was mentioned by Foster as a Mike LB. Seems really instinctive and nasty from film.
He looks great on film
I hope he's not too small.
I can see Holland Fisher and Andrew Motuapuaka being a nasty headhunter defensive players. Motuapuaka reminds me so much of Troy Pomanlau of Pittsburgh Steelers, not just because of his flowing hairs, but his instinct and nose for the ball.
Both players bring a nastiness to the defense.
It's hard not to get really excited about seeing Bud Foster's defense being returned to the top 10 in total defense next fall. Alabama is a great way to knock the jittery out and get down to business.
I can't wait for the spring and summer camp. It's going to be entertaining.
One more note: Carlis Parker and Bucky Hodges will be locked in a battle for the #1 and #2 spots when Logan Thomas leave.
Wasn't really sure where to put this
Beamer on Kendall
"I think he needs to get his hands on the ball some. We’ll work with him as a return guy. And maybe even after he gets settled defensively maybe get a couple offensive packages or an offensive package he might get involved with."
Kendall going both ways here and there? Sounds interesting. I like that our new offense wants to be creative. Other than that we'll just have to wait and see how it pans out.
Also, I had a bad thought when I read the part about him returning. The last time we had a highly anticipated freshman return punts, he muffed his first try in the ga dome against bama. Hope that doesn't happen again.
That was Ryan Williams and he punted returning punts. I didn't blame him for feeling that way.
The last time Tech had a player playing two ways was Macho Harris. He volunteered to play as a wide receiver to help out (mixed success) in addition to being a defensive back (I can't recall his actual position), and handling kickoff/punt returns.
Last season, the words was Trey Edmunds may see some spot duty on defense and play mostly on the offense. I doubt they will do that now since the saga with Drew Harris makes him less likely to enroll at Tech in June, and Drew will be a bit behind the curve compared to Edmunds.
Awwww, I miss Macho. He was so much fun to watch
Jayron didn't drop his punt return in the Bama game. Returned it 11 yards, nothing special, but I think Jayron would be a better Kendall comparison, considering their position, size, skill set and highly recruited.
Questions
1. Is that "Time to Work" picture a photoshop job or does that mural/set up really exist somewhere? Cause its awesome
2. Who recruits SC? Maybe I'm just dumb but I don't see it listed. I would think Shane?
it's real, it's in the lockeroom. frank wants them to have a workman's mentality. something a blue collar guy like myself can certainly appreciate.
since shane is already recruiting charlotte, i'd imagine he's in sc. could be wrong though.
I don't know how you can call it a drama free day when our top offensive recruit at a high need position doesn't sign. That strikes me as major drama.
It seems like there's a tremendous amount of overlap between Southwest Virginia, Roanoke, New River Valley, and I-81 corridor recruiting responsibilities. Do we really need 4 people to divide up such a sparsely populated area so close to the school? For all the talk about how we don't have the resources to recruit other parts of the country, maybe it's because we're wasting so many resources here.
I hate to be critical because I like the kids we got very much, but I don't think it would be controversial to say this staff is extraordinarily slow to embrace change and continuous improvement.
It's not like he didn't want to sign. I'm pretty sure he can't sign right now since he hasn't officially been cleared and from the sound of it, the problem goes back to his High School grades. So while it is a bummer, it's something we knew about when he didn't enroll in January.
TRANSLATION: Jeff Grimes and Scott Loefller will be spot recruiting the Offensive Linemen and QBs that they want, regardless of location.
Exactly. Lost in the posting about territories was the comment Frank/Stiney made about Scot and Grimes spot recruiting for their positions. When you have a QB coach as highly regarded as Loefler it makes tons of sense. And for a position like OL, which is so hard to evaluate and coach, it makes a lot of sense if a guy who knows that position (OL) coach is invovled heavily. And, as Grimes said, OL have abit of a different mindset than most football players and it really helps to have an OL guy recruit/coach them.... I think it will work great.
If I'm not mistaken, the I-81 corridor runs from eastern Pennsylvania (bordering New Jersey) down to Tennessee where it breaks off into I-40. That mean, there's a shit load of prospects up and down the corridor, plus, if anybody recommends a lineman to Grimes, he gets to recruit the fella.
AND...prep schools? That's where the best of the best are, and that's how Notre Dame and other schools have been able to recruits. Sounds like the mindset are slowly changing.
81 goes all the way through upstate New York
So yeah, if he's handling that entire length that's pretty big.
And I'm not so sure if prep schools are where the "best of the best" are, more like the "best of the guys who couldn't become academically eligible in high school".
I'm thinking Trevor meant Prep schools like Our Lady of Good Counsel, where Kendall Fuller went. These schools, already recruit some of the best high school players in their state, so these Prep schools are pretty much stocked full of 4 and 5 stars.
I think you're referring to Prep schools like Fork Union, where Drew Harris is attending. These are two different types of prep schools. And, I'm not sure if which type of Prep school Grimes will recruit.