@RCHSWildcatFB @AustinClark76 signs with @VT_Football . Story at 620pm @ABC13News @13Sports pic.twitter.com/XT1Mwbimil— Justin Feldkamp (@JustinABC13) December 8, 2014
Quote from Head Coach Justin Akers: "Austin has been a tremendous student-athlete for RCHS for the last couple of years. His attitude towards the classroom, and the playing field, has made him one of the most sought after recruits in the nation. His athletic ability is ideal for linemen of his size. I know that the intensity and drive that he will bring to Virginia Tech will help propel himself, and the Hokies, to new heights. I cannot be happier for such a great young man. Although he will be missed at RCHS, we are all looking forward to him excelling at the next level."
Full release from Rockbridge: http://www.rockbridgeathletics.org/index.cfm?action=main.adnews&ID=36569901
Comments
We are Groot.
Oh man we needed this kid...
does this mean he's planning on enrolling in January?
Correct.
Did he sign early so he could play TE? Someone should tell him that position is full, but there is always room for another QB!
He had to know. He's too short to be a TE. Ours are all over 7'13" tall.
SAWEET!
Too early to start recruiting his little brother?
With that gif, you win the internet today! too funny
An o-lineman!
Nice gif of me after some El Rods.
This is scaring me...what is it from?
Man, Mark Berman is really excited about this pick up.
You are a very cold man, French. Very,very cold. :-)
Awesome. French, is this kid ready to step in and make a difference immediately or is he a bit of a project? I wouldn't think a 4 star would be much of a project at all, but I'm admittedly a casual recruiting fan. Any 4 star OL is music to my ears!
The following was from the High School link. This guy is legit!
Sooo, he is just kinda ok at football?
You always like to see OL get a redshirt year to add strength (especially lower body strength improvements overseen by experts in the field). Clark is probably as talented as any of the VT OL except for Teller (his feet are not quite as quick, but it is impossible to tell how he will adjust to the speed of the game until we see him in the spring. Also, you can't discount Teller or Conte playing tackle. We don't know what McLaughlin will be health-wise. Will Smith improve, or Pfaff be healthy enough to allow any of those guards to play tackle if they don't trust Hansen? Will Pettit and Mitchell factor in? Who is the center is a big question, as communication is critical and he is a R-Fr. Hansen also has an entire off-season to learn the position. There are a ton of unknowns. Talent-wise, I think he has the ability, but you don't expect a freshman to win the job unless it is a position of dire need or you see the kid go out and take it like Facyson, Ford, and Phillips did the last 2 years.
Yeah, he'll be a starter next fall....
He should be the starting RT year one right?
Yep and McLaughlin at left tackle, then Teller and Conte at left and right guard, and Gallo at center being he was second there on depth chart behind Farris at the end of the year. I feel like this line can be pretty good early on.
Sorry to be a cold shower, but I wouldn't hold my breath on this. True freshman -- regardless of star rating -- rarely start on the OL at any school -- especially Tackle (don't say McLaughlin, he was essentially a R-frosh). I'm not saying he won't play or contribute, but there is a whole lot more to starting on OL than a star rating.
If he is starting at Tackle to open the season, he's either extraordinarily talented or the OL is in big trouble.
I think you're downplaying the value of being in the program for spring semester. One could argue by enrolling early, Clark will essentially be an redshirt freshman as well.
Let the Gentrification begin.
I think you're overestimating the value of being in the program for the spring semester.
Other than QB, OT (or Center) may be the hardest offensive position to master as a true frosh. We went through this last year with god knows how many folks thinking Andrew Ford was going to compete for the starting position (in part because he would be here early).
Again IMO, if Clark is the opening day starter, he is either VERY good or the OL is in bigger trouble than we think.
So what. The kid is a 4* OL. Let that sink in. And, he has signed (not verbal commit) so he can grey shirt and start at Tech in a month. Even if he isn't ready until 2016, this is a huge get right where we needed it. Very sweet!
Also, I just saw the below links from the 247 site:
1. Recruits React to Hokies Rivalry Win Over UVA on Social Media
http://virginiatech.247sports.com/Bolt/Recruits-React-to-Hokies-Rivalry-Win-Over-UVA-on-Social-Media-33401353
2. GALLERY: Recruits enjoy Virginia Tech vs. Virginia
http://virginiatech.247sports.com/Gallery/GALLERY-Recruits-enjoy-Virginia-Tech-vs-Virginia-33371310
These kids seem to have had a good time at the UVA game. Lots of good vibes there. We had 60 recruits at that game! Maybe someone in the know could give us some info on some of the names we don't recognize in those pictures. Lots of OL, DL, and Offense skill players in there.
Go Hokies!
I'm not saying it's not a good get. It's a badly needed get. But likely not an instant cure. VT has gotten 4* OL before and none have started as true frosh that I can recall.
Johnathan McLaughlin? And he was only a 3* coming out of Prep School
He prepped for a year, Beams.
Yes, but he was still a true Freshman. Right out of high school, no, but still his first year of college.
True, but for OL that extra year is a big deal. Clark could come in and play right away but McGlock wasn't in the same situation.
I wonder what it does for RBs. I hear Drew Harris has been prepping for a little while. Could be a huge pickup.
Just watched his highlight tape, he is a lock for ACC freshman of the year in 2018.
With any luck we can sign his son and him at the same time. Can you imagine a father-son combo in our backfield?!
NOTE: I do not actually know if he has a son or not, it's just a joke.
Exactly my point!
Did you read my post above? I said don't tell me McLaughlin..he was essentially a r-frosh.
A "redshirt" freshman that had never played a college game in his life...gotcha.
A 20 year freshman who spent a season prepping after high school before College. So, yeah, "essentially" a r-frosh.
I also can't recall a situation where we're so desperately thin with talent at OL that starting a true frosh is a legitimate option
True. Which is just one of the reasons I said if Clark is the opening day starter, he is either VERY good or VT's OL is in worse shape than we think.
I've got nothing against the kid. I hope I'm wrong and he's the second coming of Anthony Munoz. But I suspect he's just a big, talented kid who is still gonna need some seasoning even after spring practice and 7 months of weight work.
Yeah we should be able to sell that on the recruiting trail.
I agree with that he is likely not an instant cure.
Out-freaking standing!
This is a good consolation for when Sweat commits to FSU on Wednesday.
*Hits the deck*
EDIT that first gif was too spazzy
Awesome! Welcome to the Hokie Nation.
(and is that perhaps a younger brother in the back; second on the left?)
Big, ugly and hairy. Hopefully a little mean streak in him too. Welcome to polyteching!
#85 on rivals 100.
I like this. Shouldn't be too long before the OL develops into a strength at this rate.
Hope this kid is a road grader! Hey Austin, you got some good Running Backs that are waiting on you to open some holes for them!
Welcome to Blacksburg, I wish you the best and hope you have a long and productive career here.
Welcome to Hokie Nation. I hope you're hungry.
that is beautiful - can we get a slo-mo of that mo-?
I just can't get enough of Wyatt Teller pushing the defender back 5 yards before allowing the guy to finally be pancaked, because he needed to open a hole that big.
With Clarke, maybe we can get more than a few triple stacks next year
I think having him, Teller, McLaughlin could be beastly...if Conte and Smith can clean up a bit...this Oline could be improving...pancakes for days.
Starting five next year:
McGlock - Teller - Gallo - Conte - Clark
And 2016, too
Now is when we just start seeing a glimpse of good offensive line coaching and recruiting. A good couple years, and starting good for this year.