Just as the title says. 247 put out their True-Freshman All-American team yesterday and listed Strong as one of the CB's, saying that he graded as VT's best corner over the course of the year, and was the 5th best qualifying freshman.
The Hokies' defensive back depth seemed to take hit after hit this season, but Strong was a bright spot all year. The former three-star recruit ended the year with 22 tackles, an interception and five passes defended, grading out as Virginia Tech's top overall cornerback and the fifth-best qualifying freshman DB, per PFF College
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One of a few bright spots this season. I'm hoping he gets a full spring S&C program to go through.
Even more incredible is that he didn't even get a spring of college coaching...fantastic achievement
Great news and great work by Dorian this year. Very impressive to see a true freshman step in and play at such a high level with minimal prep time. Great talent find. DBU.
UVA constantly targeting him, and failing was great. Someone didn't watch their film.
Some teams/QB's are just stubborn I guess. I know most people remember the 2019 UNC game for the 2nd half QP runs and 6OT, but we would have been in an insurmountable hole in the first half if they hadn't insisted on targeting Farley (with no success) for like 3 straight drives. Every stop we got at the beginning of that game was because of Farley. Every other DB looked completely outmatched in the first half.
Congratulations to Dorian.......and what a great name for a baller! Strong!
Was really impressed with his play over the course of the season, especially in the UVA game. The interception was textbook - great to see another somewhat underrated recruit succeed at VT.
You love to see it!
This is great news. Now, I am concerned about our perceived recruiting trajectory, but trying to be quietly and cautiously optimistic. That being said, Coach Fuente said he is trying to build a developmental program. This award, the ratings for as many as 5 guys for the NFL draft, some other ACC awards, etc. have now happened this year. These all seem to demonstrate/show signs of what a developmental program looks like. I don't know (and don't have time to look them up) what each of these guys original recruiting stars count was, but I bet it's a mix with an average in the 3-star area. Recruits should see these results as an indication that VT can develop them for their chance to get to the league (yes the draft will tell us more).
The diamonds in the rough that this program has found is quite amazing for this day and age. Darrisaw, Farley, Strong have all be huge wins for player development.
This biggest issue for a player development program, like wake under Jim Grove. Is you need RS Seniors playing all the time. And Grobe won the ACC with a bunch of developmental players and a couple of stars. So the blueprint is there.
We just need players to stay and develop.
We haven't seen some positions develop because we have had players stay to see if we have the right coaches for development.
Farley was not a diamond in the rough. 247 in-house had him as a top 200 player and 93 rated 4*. Link
We have definitely found some gems though.
He was absolutely a diamond in the rough - at least with the peanut gallery. He was mostly an afterthought with most fans compared to higher rated guys like Devon Hunter, Hooker, Dylan Rivers, TyJaun Garbett, etc.
The coaches absolutely knew what they had though. I heard Wiggins call him - without any pause whatsoever when asked - the gem of the class at a recruiting night right after signing day.
If you're the 178th best recruit in the country by the best recruiting service you are not a diamond in the rough.
Still a diamond though whether in the rough or not. I would say he overachieved even if the margin for over achieving was relatively small.
No doubt about that. He is expected to be a 1st rd pick in every mock I've seen.
The most recent CBS Sports mock has Farley at #4 and Darrisaw at #11. Every mock I've seen has them both in the first round.
#41 player in MD last year, offers from Del St., Towson, UConn, Stony Brook. 247 .8389. Mentioned by Fu last spring as a guy they loved based on in person assessment and mental makeup. .. just sayin
Is this a plug for the 2021 recruiting class?
A lot of Hokie fans were disappointed with his commitment to us. I even recall seeing a few comments here on tkp. My thought was he is built some what small like Greg Stroman, I thought he would have that chance to grow into a similar CB role. It's looking like that
In terms of development, I'd also encourage the staff to go after some high school Quarterbacks that can project to play in other spots, they could be 2-3 star guys but you get leadership, vision, smarts and Athletic abilities, we had our share from Exum, to Bam Bam Kam, Travon McMillan, Farley , Robinson and I'm sure to be missing some more
You mean like... Robinson, Mitchell, Ellis (gone), Payoute
There's someone who runs another site who has griped about this approach by VT for years. I've generally disagreed with him for years - although it does seem to end up a hit or bust type of thing.
Dorian Skrong
Throughout the season I said he was going to be a good one. He looked like he figured things out quickly and could play the part. Glad to see he earned some recognition.
We all know we the #REALDBU
In-state CB Karon Prunty also made the list.
Staff seemed to target him late, but not before it was too late -- at Kansas now.
Similar thing happened with Kei'trel Clark
This boy is just getting started.