Signing Day Recap

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