Tight ends like Bucky Hodges and Kalvin Cline may still have years of eligibility left, yet the Hokies already have their eyes on the future of the position.
Tech's staff has been hot on the trail of 2016 TE/DE Devante Brooks of Washington D.C.'s St. John's College as part of their efforts to shore up depth at tight end for a long time to come.
At 6'5", 234 pounds Brooks plays both ways in high school, but the coaches made it clear early and often that the Hokies want him on offense.
"They really want me at tight end, splitting out wide and blocking," Brooks said. "And I love how they use tight ends, using three tight end sets all the time."
Offensive coordinator Scot Loeffler has long made his love of the position clear, and even with one TE already committed to the 2015 class in Chris Cunningham and another likely joining the class after a year of prepping in Xavier Burke, the team is going hard after Brooks.
Given his desire to get involved in the offense as TE early and often, it would seem that this emphasis has captured Brooks' attention.
"A big concern for me is how a team uses their tight ends," Brooks said. "I don't want to go somewhere if they don't throw to them, and Tech definitely does."
Aaron Moorehead and Shane Beamer have been his main contacts on the Hokies so far, and they enticed him to visit for the team's game against Georgia Tech on September 20.
"It was a great visit, the atmosphere was so cool," Brooks said. "It was really cool seeing what they do with their key chains on third downs."
Even though he had to watch the Hokies lose a close one to the Yellow Jackets, Brooks isn't letting that affect his perception of the program.
"They're still a great team," Brooks said. "There will be plenty more wins, hopefully they'll go to a bowl."
But if the Hokies' recent struggles do end up deterring Brooks, he's got plenty of other suitors.
"Tennessee is the big one," Brooks said. "Penn State hasn't offered yet, but they're interested. Nebraska, I love the way they play. UNC as well."
He visited Happy Valley the week after he stopped by Blacksburg on September 27, then called on the Vols last weekend, on October 11.
Yet the Hokies still seem very well positioned with Brooks, rated a 4-star recruit by the 247Sports Composite ranking.
"He definitely loves Virginia Tech," said Joe Patterson, Brooks' coach at St. John's.
Brooks will have plenty of time to focus on his recruitment after suffering a season-ending knee injury early in the year, but he'll have to keep an eye on his rehab as well.
"The priority for him will be to continue to do his rehab, but he is a few months ahead of schedule with it," Patterson said.
Yet the Hokies' staff likely isn't terribly concerned about this setback given Brooks' natural athleticism.
"He's just so naturally gifted," Patterson said. "He has tremendous size, great feet, he's fluid in all his movements."
But even with the extra time to think about his college choice, Brooks said he won't be making a decision before he's absolutely ready.
"It could be at the end of my season, or even Signing Day," Brooks said. "I'm not deciding any time soon."
Before he does make his big decision, he's says he'll be sure to give the Hokies another look in person.
"I definitely want to visit Tech again and go as often as I can to get a feel for the campus and the school," Brooks said. "I might go for another game or even wait until summer."
Comments
How can any TE not want to play with Bucky?
Are we taking bets that Bucky will still be here at that point? IF Bucky continues his improvement and stays healthy, how likely will it be that he stays?
Bucky is doing very well but, since he is a novice at the position, I see him staying as long as he is well coached and learning.
He'll have enough to learn as an experienced player arriving in the NFL to still be learning the college level game.
Agree. Bucky has the raw athletic tools (and good hands), but critical details like blocking and route running are still raw as well.
Bucky will have the rest of this season and all of next to develop those skills. NFL teams are going to love his combination of size and athleticism. I'd be shocked if he stays past next season.
Ebron was a top level TE.
He was ranked #8 TE in the country in HS by ESPN, Mackey finalist, ALL- ACC First team #10 drafted. Getting playing time in the NFL only has 10 catches in 7 games and nothing this week.
This is a guy that played TE his whole career.
Bucky will need seasoning. I see him leaving after 4 years as a TE and getting drafted, if he keeps on this schedule.
NFL TE is an important position and rather difficult as it's a combined skilled position as a WR and standup lineman.
I don't see him leaving early.
I don't disagree with anything you are saying, but if he submits to the draft board and they say he's a 3rd round or better grade I'd expect him to jump. Does it mean he's going to have a long career, I have no clue.
All I'm saying is that with his measurables and another 1.5 season of development I think an NFL team will draft him in the first 3 rounds.
Jimmy Graham- one year of college football
Antonio Gates- 0 years college football (was starter by end of rookie year)
Maybe exceptions, but Just sayin...
Regardless of the year he comes out, I think there is a darn good chance he is the number 1 TE in his class.
*Insert Obligatory new QB joke here*
Glad to hear he is considering Tech, best luck in your recovery kid!
I see the fact that he wants to visit VT more while not saying the same about other schools as incredibly good news in this recruitment. He seems on his way here. Good luck in the rehab, get strong!
VT loves themselves some TE (insert obligatory Archer phrasing gif)...lol
My how times change. As recent as 2 years ago this statement would not have been uttered.
Unless he was interested in playing a different position in which case he might have liked the "pick a card out of the bag and go line up there son" way we used TEs. Note, the odds per position in that bag are 40% OL, 25% DL, 20% QB, 5% WR, 2.5% each RB/DB/LB/ST
Certainly having a guy like Bucky playing so well, even landing on the Mackey Award watch list, has to help. Devante Brooks could end up being the athletic pass catcher that Bucky is evolving into in Loeffler's offense.
That is 100% correct.
In his first year playing TE, he's on the watch list.
Means we've got a good Te coach. Hm, who is that guy again? Might have found where he should be.
Obviously see where you're trying to go with this and it might very well be true that Stinespring is a good TE coach, but a good coach is not the sole reason for every great player. Prime example: QB coaches while Tyrod Taylor was on campus.
The Hokies love using TE. Brooks would be a welcome addition to the offense.
Good Counsel is my high school (Kendall Fuller too) but I'll take this kid at Va Tech, Cam Phillips was from a rival school too.
Hope he has a swift recovery, and picks the good guys.
#TEU ?
Jeez...In the picture he looks like he is 6'9"
I can easily see Bucky leaving after next year. And I hope Kendall Fuller is in the same position to leave as a first round draft pick. They'll always be Hokies but rather than be worried about that last year they could have played college ball, realize that the only way they've got in that position is the awesome yrs they spent in Blacksburg. Go Hokies!
"For those who have passed, for those to come...reach for excellence."
I hope every big time recruit or even overachieving 2*/walkon always leaves Tech with eligibility remaining and a college degree (not ordered by importance)!