Scot Loeffler Helps the Hokies Stay in the Mix for Talented 2016 QB Dwayne Haskins

For months, it seemed the Hokies were set at quarterback in the 2016 recruiting class.

Logan Byrd of Kathleen, Ga.'s Veterans HS committed to Tech all the way back in September, seemingly ending the team's quest for other rising senior signal callers.

But as time wore on, and once the team secured the services of 2015 star QB Dwayne Lawson in January, Byrd soured on Tech and ultimately de-committed on March 9.

That very same day, an unusual signal went out on Twitter that might seem trivial, but actually spoke volumes about where the Hokies might stand with another talented 2016 quarterback.

VT — Dwayne Haskins, Jr (@dh_simba7) March 9, 2015

Dwayne Haskins of Potomac, Md.'s The Bullis School, rated a 4-star prospect by the 247Sports Composite ranking, largely seemed out of reach for Tech before that fateful tweet.

Not only had area recruiter Aaron Moorehead recently left for the greener pastures of College Station, but Haskins was fielding a bevy of major offers from powerful programs. Schools like Alabama, Florida, Florida State, Ohio State and Notre Dame are pursuing Haskins, making the Hokies seem like an afterthought.

But between Byrd's departure and the tireless efforts of offensive coordinator Scot Loeffler, it seems that the Hokies have managed to stay in the mix as Haskins nears his final decision. He only plans on taking a few more visits before committing, and Blacksburg is on his short list.

"Friday I'll be at Rutgers, then on Saturday I'll be at Virginia Tech for the spring game, then I'm trying to get back to Notre Dame and Florida before the start of June, so those are the last couple schools I'll be visiting," Haskins said Sunday at "The Opening" DC regional combine.

Haskins last stopped by campus last summer, so it's been some time since he's gotten to take a look at the layout, but it's a victory for Loeffler to persuade him to make the return trip.

"I've been to Virginia Tech last year with Coach Loeffler, and he's been begging me to come back, so I'll take my mom with me this time," Haskins said. "Virginia Tech's a really great place, a good offense, good receivers, and there's a lot of good things going over there."

As with so many quarterbacks before, Haskins seems impressed not only with Loeffler's persistence, but also his NFL pedigree.

"It definitely helps him out because he's coached those guys and he knows what he's doing, so to have those people that he coached and those people in the NFL, like Tom Brady and Chad Henne, it just shows he's done it before, so he's really good," Haskins said.

Haskins admits that any school with a wide open depth chart is encouraging, and though Lawson's future remains an X-factor on Tech's roster, he says he's certainly encouraged that there could be room for him to earn a starting job quickly with the Hokies.

"I mind a little competition, but wherever you go it's going to be competition," Haskins said. "But it's a good opportunity over there. I look at every depth chart at every school I'm considering. Wherever that lies, I make sure I rack myself up against the talent."

While earning Haskins' commitment may still be a longshot for Loeffler, a recent slew of high profile QB commitments could work in the favor of smaller programs on Haskins' list, like Tech, Rutgers and Maryland.

With 4-star passers Tristen Wallace and Jarrett Guarantano making their pledges to Ohio State and Tennessee last week, Haskins says he's well aware that time is running out for him to be a big program's sole option at QB.

"It's just crazy to think that people are committing like flies. Every day it's something new going on. I'm just taking my time with it, I'm not too worried about who commits now or who commits later," Haskins said. "The school will take me when they want to take me. Definitely there are spots filling up, but those schools that I'm interested in don't have a quarterback."

But it's not all roses for the Hokies. Haskins has long said he'd like to go to school with wide receiver Trevon Diggs, a 4-star prospect out of Rockville, Md.'s The Avalon School, and Diggs recently listed Tech 11th among his top 12 schools.

TOP 12 pic.twitter.com/HdeuQLNUql— Mr.DIGGS (@TrevonDiggs) April 17, 2015

"He's just a playmaker," Haskins said. "Tre and I go way back since freshman year, we know how to play with each other, I feel like I know when he's open, when he's looking for me to throw the ball. So the relationship you build with a receiver, you just want to build on that in college."

Haskins will join Diggs in Oregon at Nike's world headquarters this July when the two compete at "The Opening" and "Elite 11" showcases respectively, and he's hoping to have his decision made by then.

"I definitely want to commit before I go out to the finals, probably early June," Haskins said. "If not, late May, around that time."

Once he gets there, he plans on showcasing the kind of skills that have made him one of the most highly sought-after quarterbacks in the nation, and Loeffler's top target in 2016.

"I'm a game changer. Whenever I have the ball in my hands, whether it's third down or whatever situation, first down, I'm going to get the job done," Haskins said. "Whether it's inside the huddle or at these camps, I don't make too many mistakes, and if I do make a mistake, the next play won't be one. So it's just making sure I capitalize on everything that goes on around me and just be me."