Rayshard Ashby is the fifth member of the Hokies' 2017 recruiting class.
The 6-0, 215 pound Lloyd C. Bird product verbally committed to Virginia Tech on Saturday afternoon according to a report from 247Sports and soon after announced by Ashby on Twitter.
Glad to be a Hokie pic.twitter.com/qfvgk0vGjx— Rook (@__Lamont) March 26, 2016
Tech extended Ashby a scholarship on June 18, 2015 — the first school to do so — several days after he camped at Tech.
"Coach (Shane) Beamer called my coach, who called my dad and let me know they offered," Ashby told The Key Play in June. "I was so excited, I just got a really big smile on my face. I really appreciated it."
"They said they knew I could play linebacker for them, that I'm just a pure LB," Ashby added.
Ashby picked the Hokies over offers from Maryland, West Virginia and East Carolina. The 247Sports Composite ranks him a 3-star prospect.
Ashby visited Blacksburg in February and raved about the trip.
"Walking through the tunnel to Lane Stadium as they were playing 'Enter Sandman,' it was just an amazing feeling with the song being played while I was walking in," Ashby told The Key Play in February. "I could just imagine myself playing there."
Ashby's commitment is an early step to realize his vision of suiting up for the Hokies.
Comments
Would love to see some more talent come out of LC Bird.
nice seeing my alma mater getting some love
Yeah, I'm a big fan of LCB, too. They've been playing good football there forever. The kids must be getting good coaching from 12 year olds on up. This tape is just ridiculous - perfect plays over and over again. Sure, there are guys that whiff on blocks, but this is a LB that is playing on a different level and seeing the field way better than everyone else - and as a junior. There is a good combination of coaching and talent going on here. I would spend a lot of time recruiting there.
Bird's the word!
Here is Hudl video http://www.hudl.com/athlete/3302157/highlights/306793506
This isn't the most scientific film breakdown, but he is excellent at making himself small and then shooting into the interior gaps. He then makes himself big and lays wood on ball carriers. He has tremendous change of direction. The only reason Ashby isn't rated higher is that at 5'11 215, he is very undersized for a typical inside linebacker. He is a very productive player who will find a way to contribute somewhere.
This kid knows how to get the ball rolling when starting a highlight clip!
"Aren't you a little short for a Stormtrooper?"
Looks like he is always moving downhill.
On tape, 5'11" 215lbs seems really generous. He plays hard and fast, which is great. Let's hope our "little ball of hate" morphs into a player for the Hokies!
Yeah he's got a really similar body size to Chris borland and I think that worked out pretty well for the 49ers for a year. If the man can play which I think he can, then get him on the field (Wouldve been more had he not retired)
I think his footwork and hips stand out to me the most. The kid keeps his hips square and his feet beneath him until he knows where he's going and then it's 100mph to the ball. I really like the potential with this kid. He plays angry.
All Academic Confrence 12?! How do you misspell that award on a Hudl tape (defensive POY)
What an explosive ball magnet we have. The tape is a little Grimm, but I'll Cody up to it over time.
My bad I thought you misspelled it since it is not in quotes. Have some legs.
Shouldn't that be "refrence"? ;)
A leg for Gus.
And also Gus.
If he's 215 as a HS junior, there's no reason he wouldn't be at least 225-230 by the time Coach Foster gets him, and once in the program, he will probably add more to his frame. So, considering his age, being a 215 pound LB is probably bigger than the norm. Sounds like another great recruit!
Don't believe weight is the size issue as much as it is height. He may be listed at 6 but is probably closer to 5'10. Having said that i'll take a LB any day that plays with that kind of physicality. It's been missed lately on the field.
Man, we are kicking booty this week! Up to 26th in recruiting rankings.
People actually pay attention to rankings in March?
I guarantee folks will be complaining 8-9 months from now if Fuente and Co sign a whole bunch more 3*s (I won't be one, mind you).
I've already read some griping. If we aren't landing all the 4 and 5 stars, some portions of our fanbase are never going to be satisfied. I think some people think recruiting is like dynasty mode on NCAA.
Rankings? No, but you can still get a feel for the type of class based on the first handful of recruits you get and see how well you are positioned to land positions of need. Landing Ty (2nd commit) was a good sign.
Great commit.
He understands that you find the ball and then tackle the ball carrier. He gets off the blocks well with his hands.
Kid has a nose for it-great instincts and great coaching: on some plays he doesn't hesitate at the snap and makes a bee line.
I love these kids that know Virginia Tech is the home for them.
kid's got a nose for finding the ball. welcome to Hokie Nation, Rayshard Ashby!
SUCK IT ECU.
And Maryland. And WVU. Don't forget those two awful places.
Let the good news roll! And here I thought crootin season had closed!!
"University of Virginia Tech." Doing it right.
I love the pick up but you would figure these kids that love us so much would know the name of the school. Lol
He lays some lumber.
CHOO CHOO!!!!
via GIPHY
Here comes the PAIN TRAIN!
I am just happy to see an actual LB recruit.
I second that emotion. Regardless of size, this kid is a player, and looks like a natural LB. Good get.
Its amazing what a new HC seems to do for Bud's ability recruit. I know we are thin at LB, but how many will we take this year?
Amazing that no Foster recruited LBs ever committed until Fuente's arrival...
I'm sure they were waiting to see the coaching situation. Yes, Fuente is a reciting magnet and everyone (in Blacksburg) benefits. Take that ECU/Maryland/and the list goes on!
You're really good at taking an ordinary comment with merit and flipping it on it's head into an asinine absolute. Not sure why you do it, and you're purpose, but you do it with skill.
Good chance we take about 3, give or take a stud.
Yeah, we need to get back to the days of tackling-machine LBs like Ben Taylor, Vince Hall, and Mike Johnson, the latter of which is the only Hokie LB that I know of who's made an impact in the NFL. Hopefully, getting Ashby is a start getting back to LB dominance.
James Anderson says ""HEY MAN!!!"
Keep in mind, Taylor played in Foster's 4-4 defense and Hall in the 4-3. Not saying there hasn't been a dropoff at LB in terms of quality players, but it's also a tall order to expect that level of production from the LB spot in the 4-2-5. Neither Taylor nor Hall would post the numbers they posted in this scheme.
What I like is that he is a "wrap up" tackler. We have seen many backers really lay a hit on a back and fail to wrap the guy up. He surely has good fundamentals.
Unfortunately good tackling technique is not showy. It is good to see he wraps up on the tackles and appears to read the offense well. We will see how he handles misdirection and triple option offenses, but he has a good start.
Somewhat agree, but to me some of the best hits I've ever seen have been picture perfect form tackles.
Some of the best hits have been but wrapping up a guys legs usually doesn't make the highlights. I love a good form tackle and appreciate it when I see it as do most of the folks here but the casual fan likes the big hits. Give me a 14 tackle stat line for a guy who doesn't make the highlight reel any day.
I think our (definitely mine) biggest concern with Fuente as head coach was his recruiting track record at Memphis. I'm not too worried anymore.