Standing at just 5'7", Kalil Pimpleton is realistic about why the Hokies decided to offer him.
The 2017 WR out of Muskegon (Mich.) HS understands that Justin Fuente doesn't see him as the next big outside receiver in his offense, using his strength and size to manhandle opposing defensive backs. Still, he's anxious to use quickness to ply his trade in Blacksburg all the same.
"What every coach likes is, of course, not my size, but the speed I have for me to get out to the outside, and the hands I've got and my quickness," Pimpleton told The Key Play. "So they say I'd be the slot receiver, kick returner, punt returner. They'd move me around however they can."
The rising senior committed to the Hokies in early May, even though Tech was the only Power 5 school to offer him (though he also had a scholarship on the table from Eastern Michigan). But based on how he might fit with Fuente's offense, and his impressions of the program as a whole, he didn't give a second thought to waiting to make his decision.
"It was just somewhere I could see myself playing for the next five years of my life," Pimpleton said. "They have a 100 percent graduation rate for their senior football players, and it's not all about football, it's about education, of course."
Yet, as early as the start of this year, Pimpleton says he didn't really know much about Virginia Tech at all. After all, the Hokies are hardly a local program to his Michigan high school.
Nevertheless, once the staff noticed his teammate, 2017 LB Andrew Ward, and sent him an offer in early March, they ended up extending one to Pimpleton just a few weeks later.
"I hadn't really spoken to them, the offer really came out of nowhere," Pimpleton said. "But they were speaking to my coach almost every day. I knew they'd offered Andrew, and that was cool, but I had no clue they were talking about me. But the day they offered me, that was pretty much the first time I'd ever talked to them."
He didn't wait long before getting a chance to see Blacksburg for himself. Pimpleton, Ward and several other Muskegon players headed down to Tech during their spring break in early April, and he got his first glimpse at Southwestern Virginia.
"We saw pretty much the whole facility, all of campus, and (the coaches) told us pretty much everything we need to know about it," Pimpleton said.
With spring practice going on, Pimpleton said the coaches had only a limited amount of time to talk with him on the trip, but he came away immensely impressed, especially with the new head Hokie.
"The coaching staff was great, a wonderful staff," Pimpleton said. "For them to bring in Justin Fuente, replacing Frank Beamer who was there for 30-some years, I know that they wouldn't bring in any old random guy, they'd bring in somebody who had the same mentality as Frank Beamer."
He also got along well with WRs coach Holmon Wiggins, calling him "very family oriented."
Pimpleton held off on making his decision for a few weeks after the trip, but ultimately pulled the trigger on May 8. He gave Fuente a call with the good news, and he says the coach was definitely "excited" that he was coming on board.
Pimpleton also got a chance to feel the love from defensive coordinator Bud Foster a few weeks later when he stopped by Muskegon.
"He went to visit another school and stopped over at my school on the way back and he was just saying that I'll make them better, a better program," Pimpleton said.
Going forward, Pimpleton is hoping to take an official visit to Blacksburg ("possibly" for a game during the season) though he's "undecided" if he wants to try and enroll early.
As he ponders that decision, he says he's hoping to amplify Tech's overtures to Ward, considering they've long talked about playing together.
"It's been our dream, we grew up together, and it's been our dream since we were kids," Pimpleton said. "Elementary (school), played ball together, all the way up until now. I don't think we've ever missed a year of ball together, so it'd be great to continue that."
Comments
I concur with crowd in vid: WHOOO!
Only hope is that is isn't too prone to backpeddling. Some of these super quick guys out of high school don't realize that they can't do that against D1 athletes and end up losing yards.
Plus you gotta realize this is a drill situation. In a game he'd have 2 guys on him from the backside as soon as he makes that backward spin move.
True, I just think of a certain punt returner we have that always seems to run the wrong direction.
Alex great interview as always. Like to see a kid who values his education as much as the football.
Great interview Alex! This kid seems very likable and is obviously quick as a cat on fire. Really like the geography of the offers being extended.
I really like Kalil already. He recognizes the importance of school and already thinks he'll be in college for five years. Sounds like a guy who could do well for us, and his highlights are impressive. Love to see this elusiveness.
I admit, my first response when people take more than four is always something like this:
But then from the sound of it, this kid is more likely to go the 5 year BS/MS route than the Tommy Boy route.
Maybe he'll end up being a doctor...
So what you're saying is, his name could be Dr. Pimp!!
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Wonder if he will be "the ladies doctor"
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Thanks for getting this interview. Got high hopes for him at VT.
I'm not saying he doesn't value education, I'm just curious as to why everyone assumes that him saying he'll be around up to 5 years is a definite sign that he does. I feel like the 5 year thing actually probably has more to do with football then it does academics given redshirting and NFL draft readiness
Also, it's possible to graduate with a masters degree over the course of five years.
When I took a tour of the athletic facilities a few years back, our guide told us that most players are around 5 years and do indeed finish with multiple degrees, either 2 undergrad or bachelor's + master's. Being on a full scholarship gives these guys such opportunity for their futures, if they make the most of it.
Especially when you consider how many kids are showing up with a ton of college credits from High School in the form of Dual Enrollment and AP courses. In the last few years we have started to see large numbers of freshmen enroll with sophomore credit standing. Makes it easy to finish multiple degrees in five years....
You also figure these guys are basically working a close-to-full-time job (playing football) while they take these classes. It wouldn't be shocking if they took a smaller course load and finished a bachelors and maybe a minor in five years.
The thing that usually pushes them over the top is continuous, year-round enrollment. They take classes both summer sessions. That means they're getting about an entire semester's worth of courses every summer, or about 2 full years worth of classes, in addition to having to meet the minimum 12 credit hours during the fall and spring.
I did this near the end of my undergrad. Full time work plus 12 credits in the spring and fall and 6 credits in the summer sessions. Sped my progress immensely.
Summer sessions in Blacksburg were great. I did them as much as I could. Got to really focus on a couple classes intensely and still had time to really enjoy the New River Valley area.
My family moved to Kansas after I enrolled. After visiting them and knowing no-one I decided to stay in Blacksburg. 12-15 hours a semester with 6 and job over the summer leaves plenty of time to enjoy the college life.
woops missed that part...i understand the masters in 5 years aspect, i just missed missed him specifically mentioning education.
taking into consideration his size (and possible need to add muscle like most freshmen) i figured the redshirt would possibly be in order. i guess my overall point is that the 5 year statement could have football reasons just as much as academic
Sweet. I see the screen game coming back in a BIG way!
Too soon?
But seriously, I don't really see how you could defend a guy that quick. He is not getting tackled one on one. No freaking way.
942,903 views and counting. What's our goal?
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Edit: DAMN IT! So close. Literally 30 seconds late.
We shall drink together, my brother...
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It'll be interesting to see how many slot guys we take. I know we offered another one a few days ago and Savoy out of DC looks promising too
I think we will see a lot of "slot" WRs of all different sizes as it looks like most of Fuente's route tree is based off of quick moves and finding open spaces rather than winning physical matchups. A little bit of a chicken and egg situation as I am not sure if this is Fuente's ideal or his ideal based on talent available at Memphis.
I brought that up a while back when the 2016 class was finalized, that none of the receivers coming in were short slot guys and that I was surprised based on his track record and playing style. The consensus response was that he only had the small guys at Memphis and TCU because of talent availability. I don't think that's true, I wouldn't be surprised to see us take 3 sub 6' guys this class.
This kid reminds me of my daughter's boyfriend, Reggie Whatley (RB, MTSU). He graduated from MTSU in 2015 and is now on the roster for the Calgary Stampeders (preseason camp start today). Smallish runner, very strong, but lightning quick. Some video below:
Kick return at 00:24 and runs from 2:10 to 3:20 are Kalil prophetic.
The perspective on that touchdown run gives a good sense of how long a run that was. I got winded just watching.