2015 DT Tim Settle Looking for More From the Hokies

Few schools in Northern Virginia have a stronger connection to the Hokies than Manassas' Stonewall Jackson High School.

Not only is the school situated in the heart of one of the regions with the most VT alumni in the country, but the Raiders have sent players to the Hokies in both the past and present — running back Ryan Williams hailed from Stonewall Jackson, as does incoming freshman defensive back Greg Stroman.

Now, the Hokies are hoping they can use that connection to form a bond with highly recruited Stonewall Jackson DT Tim Settle.

"We have a lot of VT grads on staff and in our faculty, and they're always talking up Virginia Tech," said Raiders head coach Darryl Robinson. "Tech is closer to home for him. I just think it'd be a great match for Tim with so many alumni coming from there."

But the rising senior doesn't necessarily share the same enthusiasm for the Hokies.

"I like that they're a Virginia school, they're good at recruiting, I want to take another visit there," Settle said. "But I feel like I'm missing something with them. I need something to click."

Settle has already been to Tech three times — most recently stopping by Blacksburg for the school's Junior Day in February — and the staff has been active in visiting Manassas as well.

"Back in the spring, Coach (Torrian) Gray and Coach (Charley) Wiles came through several times," Robinson said. "Coach (Bud) Foster did as well. They've talked often, communicating with him and me."

New Hokie Stroman has also been active in trying to sway his old teammate.

"Greg talks with him quite a bit," Robinson said. "Greg's busy doing his own thing now, but they still communicate a lot. They've traveled together before."

But whether it's Stroman or the staff doing the talking, Settle isn't going to take anything too seriously just yet.

"Lots of people talk to me, and I listen to what they have to say," Settle said. "That's all I can I do."

He's not kidding when he says he's hearing from plenty of people — he has a whopping 37 scholarship offers from schools across the country.

"I'm also looking at Tennessee, Florida State, UCLA, Arizona State, Florida, Marshall," Settle said.

But Robinson insists he's still taking Tech seriously as he fields offers from this multitude of programs.

"He understands what Tech could be for him," he said.

Settle recently announced on Twitter that he'll be committing on December 20, so all fans can do in the meantime is salivate about the athletic ability he can bring to a defense.

"We're going to play him some at nose tackle this year, just because he plays so well inside and out," Robinson said. "He likes to run. He takes pride in the fact he can move. Sometimes he even challenges guys to race."

Robinson thinks he's versatile to play anywhere along the line when he gets to the next level.

"He could do both, play tackle and end," Robinson said. "He would be a good DE. He's mobile enough to contain."

For his part, Settle feels his greatest strength is his mind rather than his body.

"I point out things really well," he said. "I'm good at reading a quarterback's or running back's eyes."

However, he still sees room to improve when it comes to defending the run.

"I really want to work on maintaining my gaps more," he said.

Robinson also wants to see him put in some work as a leader off the field as well.

"He's a free spirit, bubbly, so he's not serious enough sometimes," Robinson said. "In the midst of a game, he's always focused. But I'd like to see him be more serious to lead. I've been working a lot with him on that, leading by example."

Now that the season is rapidly approaches, Robinson wants to hone in on making his last season a successful one.

"He enjoys the notoriety, the opportunity to take these visits," he said. "But I'm more concerned about making sure he's getting his grades in line and leading the team."