Glad to announce that I'll be taking my talents to Virginia Tech!! #GoHokies pic.twitter.com/NpVFTxYtKk— Houshun Gaines (@HZGduoUno) December 21, 2014
Virginia Tech football landed an important piece of its 2015 recruiting class tonight when defensive end Houshun Gaines made a verbal pledge to the Hokies. The Nash Central (Rocky Mount, North Carolina) product announced after he played in the Shrine Bowl—the annual North Carolina-South Carolina high school football all-star game.
The 247Sports Composite rates Gaines as a 3-star prospect.
Gaines originally tried to commit to Florida in early October, but did not have a committable offer. At the time, he explained to Andrew Ivins of the Rocky Mount Telegram why he picked Florida over Tech.
"Ultimately it came down to where I saw myself wanting to play football and where I would want to be, and I couldn't see myself at Virginia Tech if I wasn't playing football," Gaines said. "I was torn for a while but I love Florida and I just love Gainesville."
Charley Wiles was Gaines' primary recruiter. Houshun said of their relationship in May, "He's a great guy. He seems to really care about me. We have a great relationship. We hit it off immediately. He's a funny guy. He's cool."
Credit Tech's defensive line coach for recruiting him hard throughout the entire process, helping Gaines to see himself at Tech and securing his verbal over Virginia, Vanderbilt as well as a few other Power 5 offers.
Coach wiles is my dude yo.. Frfr — Houshun Gaines (@HZGduoUno) April 30, 2014
Always a pleasure talking to coach Wiles.. #HOKIENATION— Houshun Gaines (@HZGduoUno) October 22, 2014
Coach Wiles on the way for an in home visit. #HokieNation — Houshun Gaines (@HZGduoUno) December 1, 2014
So blessed man. Had an in home visit from coach Thompson from Vandy, then went and had dinner with Coach Wiles. #HokieNation #AnchorDown— Houshun Gaines (@HZGduoUno) December 8, 2014
ESPN's scouting report on Gaines' is as follows.
Gaines shows some positive flashes in all areas, from run defense to rushing the QB to effort, but still has room to improve and be more consistent in all areas as well. Has some limitations in areas, but enough tools to be productive well rounded player at FBS level.
Defensive end is a prime position of need in Tech's 2015 class, and the 6-4, 220 pound Gaines has experience playing both a 5- and 7-technique at Nash Central. To go along with a collegiate frame, he has a freakish wingspan.
"@TweetAtJessaaay: I hate getting my feelings hurt. Wish I ain't have them shits."needa hug? pic.twitter.com/ksVmTqnA3o— Houshun Gaines (@HZGduoUno) July 17, 2014
Gaines' can use those long arms to swat at the football, disrupt passing lanes and create chaos in the backfield. I'd imagine Bud Foster's thought about that once or twice.
Comments
Just saw your comment on Twitter, so I immediately signed in to celebrate!
Welcome to the greatest club you could be a member of, Gaines!
^ Da Real MVP's
I disagree, its clearly the orange jersey
Is he hugging ALL 4 OF THEM???
Dat wingspan.
#ChoppinWood
Does he still tweet this? I haven't seen anyone post it in a long time
This gave me a good laugh when I saw it on Twitter
Oh hell yeah!
Checking in from the Hornet's game remotely.
Go Hokies and welcome Mr. Gaines!
Shoog, you from NC? Cool
Hornets fan? I'm so sorry.
Another DE into the Foster defense!
Defensive End!! Sweet! Welcome to Hokie Nation, Houshon.
Happy Holidays to all!
I wore my The Key Play t-shirt all day today (still have it on). And we get a d-line commit the same day. Coincidence?
I think not.
Watched his hudl highlight film and he seems to put that huge wingspan and great closing speed to use. Impressive.
This deserves a dance and welcome to the Lunchpail Defense, Mr. Gaines!
Best TKP gif ever!! Love and miss C&H!!
I think I commented about this dude in an earlier thread when we thought he got catfished by a fake recruiter or something. I thought there was no way that he would come to tech based on the comment he made about Blacksburg. I'll admit I was wrong. I hope Gaines starts to see himself as a hokie.
Btw, I feel like Coach Wiles always keeps it real. Good to see him pull in a recruit.
Interesting...
first, this is a really high quality person and a great kid, but I don't think the recruiting is done for him. I hope he ends up at VT, because I think he'll be a productive player and student on campus.
This seems strangely appropriate:
I guess that is one way to put it. I'm hoping he doesn't leave us all wet also.
This makes me nervous...hopefully these visits only give him more confidence in choosing Tech.
Whats the tip on Houshoun in terms of his ceiling? Are we expecting him to be a big-time guy for us? Not that anyone has to have big time expectations in order to succeed under THE best defensive coordinator in the country.
Glad to see him tweeting other recruits telling them to join him at VT.
Well this was unexpected... but a welcome surprise. I still hope Tech grabs another DE; a Darrell Taylor flip or a Shelton Johnson would be terrific.
#FORTHEGAINES #TEAMGETSWOLE
one thing is for sure, the Hokies will never catfish Houshun Gaines unlike some SEC school. welcome to hokie nation.
I am too tired too think of anything clever to say.
Just really happy to have another talented guy in the program. Welcome aboard, Houshun!
God bless that man Charlie wiles. He's underrated as far as I'm concerned
Welcome to the family, Houshon. I hope you are happy here.
Anything we can do to make your time better, just let us know. Specifically, direct your requests to our bag man.
And probably should limit the requests to things like nrv mall store gift cards, novelty steering wheel covers, 5-subject spiral notebooks from the dollar store, etc.
Hmm, his highlights show him catching some passes. Dare I say? :-)
I get what you're implying, but I don't know if moving him to punter is the best idea.
A much needed DE
Well, this is a welcome surprise. Welcome to Hokie Nation, Houshun!
Awesome grab. He'll make a great TE
Given his previous comments about VT I don't know what to think about this.
Elaborate.
Read his quote in the original post.
You're over-thinking. Just say: Well I'll be darned. He saw the light.
And congratulate him.
It's not like it's at all unusual for teenagers to change their minds. It's been known to happen. :D
I might say that after he finishes his official visits. It's not unusual, after all, for teens to change their minds.
We'll he's at VT playing football so there is that.
Just read where we lost Damien Dozier to Marshall. He was pegged as a OLB any thoughts that the Gaines commitment drove him to the herd or was it grades?
Grades. This has been coming for a while.
grades were the main thing, plus he was going to see more PT at Marshall where he was going to most likely redshirt at VT. I wish the kid luck in his future. Frees up one more scholly for hopefully Tim Settle, Dwayne Lawson, Lawrence Cager, Bryce Love, or Shelton Johnson
Thanks guys!