Virginia Tech hosted a bevy of high schoolers on Sunday at its first junior day event of 2017. The Hokies entertained recruits from the 2018, '19, and even '20 recruiting cycles. There was a blend of talent, those prospects with and without Tech offers, and a pair of Hokies' commits in attendance — Bryce Thompson and DeJuan Ellis.
What's below is a glimpse behind the scenes courtesy of the attendees' Twitter. Expect interviews from Alex to follow in short order.
Keshon Artis holds regional offers from Virginia Tech, Virginia, Rutgers, and Maryland. The 2018 linebacker led Oscar Smith with 108 tackles (16 TFL), and was named to the 2016 All-Tidewater squad.
VT #HokieNation pic.twitter.com/1TkJHwHFBp— Keshon Artis (@asvp_ke) January 15, 2017
Quarterback Dakereon Joyner narrowed his list of offers in December to Virginia Tech, N.C. State, South Carolina, and Georgia. The 247Sports composite ranks the Palmetto State product as a 4-star recruit. He earned Gatorade Player of the Year in South Carolina honors last season. He passed for 3,642 yards and 44 touchdowns, and rushed for 1,089 yards and 12 touchdowns. Joyner set a commitment date of Father's Day.
Joyner stayed the night and is expected to visit with Justin Fuente again Monday.
"I really enjoyed it, the experience and I finally got a chance to come up here," Joyner said. "I enjoyed the facilities and I love the city itself. Blacksburg is a nice town."
"It's my kind of offense," he said. "I'm the kind of guy that throws the ball well, run the RPO and spread the ball across the field. Coach Fuente has a great quarterback history. Virginia Tech itself has great quarterback history with Tyrod Taylor and Michael Vick, those six-foot kind of guys."
VT #Hokienation pic.twitter.com/MiV0WQLJpj— Kereon Joyner (@Cant_StopCinco) January 15, 2017
Virginia Tech QB commit DeJuan Ellis made the trip to Blacksburg.
How this look? pic.twitter.com/NETHquhosr— DeJuan Ellis (@HeadHonchoJuan) January 15, 2017
Virginia Tech had a chance to impress CB/WR De'Von Graves. The 3-star Appomattox County product committed to N.C. State on April 9. The Hokies offered on December 15. Graves was voted the 2A Virginia defensive player of the year.
2018 VT Target @vongraves23 with Coach Fuente #HokieNation #LunchPailD #DBU #ExitLight18 pic.twitter.com/zUJOpA3SsQ— HokieNation (@VTHOKIE_NATION) January 15, 2017
Sanderson HS (Raleigh, NC) DE Alim McNeill left impressed from Hokies visit.
Defensive lineman Alim McNeill claims Power 5 offers from the Hokies and Boston College. The 247Sports Composite rates the 6-1, 260 pound Sanderson HS (Raleigh, NC) product as a 3-star prospect.
Virginia tech #hokienation — Alim McNeill (@AlimMcneill) January 15, 2017
Peyton Winstead, another Raleigh-area prospect (Leesville Road HS), visited. The 6-3, 290 pound offensive lineman has not yet been offered by the Hokies.
.@LeesvilleFB OL Peyton Winstead (@pwinstead57) in Blacksburg for @VT_Football junior day. #HSOT pic.twitter.com/BKRBqx4Jp4— Jon Stout (@JonStout89) January 15, 2017
The No. 1 prospect in West Virginia, Dante' Stills, checked out the Hokies again. Although, the 4-star DT figures to be a tough pull for Tech. Stills' brother is 2017 WVU commit Darius Stills, and his father Gary played at WVU before nine seasons in the NFL.
Great visit to Blacksburg !!! — Dante' Stills (@kinglamar222) January 15, 2017
2018 Thomas Jefferson HS RB/CB Jalen Jackson seemingly came away impressed from his visit.
VT Junior Day is lit!...great program, and great facilities. @mitchcarrtv @RealChadRicardo @CBS6SportsSean pic.twitter.com/FZgBghQVZ0— Jalen Jackson (@jalen_jackson2) January 15, 2017
Dudley HS (Greensboro, NC) WR Nigel Fitzgerald was among the Tar Heel State prospects in Blacksburg. Fitzgerald played alongside incoming 2017 QB Hendon Hooker, and is in search of his first offer.
"Hendon has talked to me a lot about Virginia Tech," he explained, "and he has introduced me to some of the coaches there. He told me after we won the State Championship, like he has been telling me all year, 'I have to get you to Blacksburg with me.' I've been in contact with Coach Wiles (Charley Wiles), who recruits my area, and he told me that he really liked my size at 6' 5" and that he liked my film. We also discussed me coming to Blacksburg for camp this summer."
Junior Day At Virginia Tech #GoHokies #ExitLight18 pic.twitter.com/YEKJSG37Rk— Nigel Fitzgerald (@ni_fitzgerald12) January 15, 2017
A pair of North Carolina running backs with Hokies' offers — Jamal Elliott (4-star, Hillside HS) and Marcus Caldwell (3-star, West Forsyth HS) — seemingly enjoyed their visits.
V-tech was smooth pic.twitter.com/T324hT0OTj— Jamal Elliott (@jamalelliott) January 15, 2017
Had an Unbelievable time at Virginia Tech today @VT_Football @TheVTZone #Gohokies pic.twitter.com/1nMuPQB42z— Ca1dwe11 (@_Marcus_C) January 15, 2017
A pair of 2018 Oscar Smith lineman — 6-5, 297 pound OL James Collins and 6-3, 250 pound DL Kyle Thomas — both visited Tech.
#HokieNation #ExitLight18 c/o '18 demons pic.twitter.com/hzw03irwXl— James 78 (@polosandretros_) January 15, 2017
I love #hokienation & VT Campus will be back soon — Kyle Thomas (@Kyle_Thomas9) January 15, 2017
2019 DB Jeremiah Gray had a chance to meet Bud Foster and Terrell Edmunds during his visit. The Ardrey Kell HS (Charlotte, NC) product has offers from BYU, Penn State, and Wake Forest.
Great meeting @HokiesFB Defensive Coordinator @coachfostervt @TSL_Recruiting pic.twitter.com/rokfBQC2v7— Jeremiah Gray (@JeremiahGrayyyy) January 15, 2017
Really enjoyed connecting with @rell_island6 Safety for @HokiesFB today. I appreciate the words of wisdom pic.twitter.com/AeCSfukHDy— Jeremiah Gray (@JeremiahGrayyyy) January 15, 2017
2019 Indian River defensive lineman Ben Smiley III made the trip to Blacksburg.
#Hokienation pic.twitter.com/R0Ool4wut1— Ben Smiley lll (@BenSmiley9) January 15, 2017
2019 Oscar Smith WR/CB Cam'Ron Kelly "loved" his early look at the Hokies.
I can't wait to be back in Blacksburg, I loved the visit! #hokienation— Cam'Ron Kelly (@CamRonJKelly) January 16, 2017
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