Virginia Tech Football Recruiting: Jalen Holston Commits to the Hokies

Georgia running back joins the Hokies' 2017 recruiting class.

[@jayissotrendy]

Stockbridge, Georgia running back Jalen Holston committed to the Hokies on Thursday night following an official visit to Virginia Tech for its game against UVA. He joins fellow Peach Staters Jaylen Griffin, Malik Willis, and Lecitus Smith as verbals in Tech's 2017 recruiting class. Holston opted for Tech over scholarship offers from Louisville, North Carolina, South Carolina, Duke, Georgia Tech, and Missouri among other Power Five schools.

Zohn Burden was tasked to land Holston for the Hokies.

"Me and Coach Burden are real close," Holston told The Key Play in June. "I just like how he's the first coach that really watched film with me, and he broke down my own film, went over and showed me some things I can get better at and some things I can do. And he showed me what things that I do that he likes, things I can do for the team."

The 247Sports Composite ranks the 5-11, 200 pound Holston as a 3-star recruit. Although, ESPN is more bullish and rates him as a 4-star prospect. Holston was named to the Class AAAAA preseason all-state team. According to MaxPreps, the Stockbridge running back rushed for 1,387 yards on 201 carries (6.9 YPC), and 15 TDs

Holston believes his skillset as a north-south runner with speed who can break into the open field will fit snugly with Justin Fuente's offense.

"With my position, they're gonna do a lot of versatile things, like get the running back out of the backfield and get him in the pass game, go north and south in between the tackles running the read option, the pistol," Holston said in June. "They're gonna be pulling guards with the running backs, a lot of things. The offense is gonna be real pretty."

Holston discussed his decision with Scout.

Comments

*cough*

You could cough after every commitment over the next two months and we'd think you knew all along.

They have meds for that.. it's call HTB

HYPE TRAIN BITCHES

"Welcome to the Terror Dome." -- Corey Moore

DO I NEED AN RX OR CAN I GET IT OTC

All I have to say is.......

"Welcome to the Terror Dome." -- Corey Moore

edit: Like we've both been saying...

I love you both dearly

Fire Whit.

living that Gangsta life with Hokie20 like...

"Welcome to the Terror Dome." -- Corey Moore

"Welcome to the Terror Dome." -- Corey Moore

Butt stuff always gets a leg from me?

.......

I'll go ahead and see myself out.

Something tells me Joe has been sitting on this post all day.

Using /s is for cowards.

Is wasn't a very well kept secret. Just wait, it's about to get freaky!

"Welcome to the Terror Dome." -- Corey Moore

IT'S HAPPENING!

VB born, class of '14

.....do tell

Out of respect for my secret sauces and knowing kids want their moments in the limelight, I'm gonna sit back and enjoy the show. Why ruin a good movie by watching the last scene?

"Welcome to the Terror Dome." -- Corey Moore

what is "why my wife won't watch a movie with me" for $1000, Alex

Noooo wrong freaky?

Wet stuff on the red stuff.

Join us in the Key Players Club

There are just some things people were not meant to see!!!!! For Gawd sake man, repress memory, repress memory, repress memory....

Go Hokies!

"Exit light..."

The post has been written for months, but I did know at what time to publish it today.

"Exit light..."

That block at 2:54 probably put that kid in a wheelchair.

Seriously! Can we get that guy too?

Deposit whiskey, receive wisdom.

i still want the kid who ran him down at about 3:40

I am with you on this - ran down our recruit from behind and tackled him well! We need this guy at DBU.

*insert gif of Smoke getting run down by Bonner here*

Great news. Who couldn't be excited for the future?

LOLUVA?

Just finished bottling my homebrew cider and then this!

A decade on TKP and it's been time well spent.

ITS LIT FAM

He's a glider. Reminds me of Brandon Ore.

Got damn but I loved me some Branden Ore

That Dude outran Thunder AND Lightning.

Tweedy can run like a dadgum antelope or whatever. I like to use scalded dog. Do antelopes lumber? Cheetah, OK. He runs like a cheetah. He's fast. - Bud Foster

Well, Gallileo Figaro, MF.

Reel men fish on Wednesdays

Magnificooooooooooooooooo

"When I was growing up, Virginia Tech was a school that was kicking ass and taking names, and it's time we get back to that" - James Franklin

The best is how he would bounce out and stretch the opposing defense and wait for a seam to burst right through. He was really good at that.

Let's Go

HOKIES

Is Holston expected to get a lot of early playing time? He's not as highly recruited or experienced as some of the guys on the roster already, but it sounds like he's an exact fit for what Fuente wants out of a RB in his offense. I never got the impression that any of the guys we have were "the right fit" this year, it felt like a lot of square pegs in round holes.

I'm curious about this as well. It seems Fuente wants versatility (run/catch/block) at this position. I loved Sam Roger's work ethic and heart, but he's not the most physically gifted RB on the roster. So...for those who know these things, where did McMillian fall short? Catching the ball? Blocking? And will he be the guy next year, or will someone like Holston overtake him?

I wouldn't expect it. Even though we didn't have a standout this year we still have McMillan and peoples back and then mcclease coming off shoulder injury. I'd probably expect him to play as a true freshmen but don't think he'll be a big contributor next year.

I fully expect to see him. He's been hand picked by Fuente, which no other RB on the roster can say that. RB is also a position more friendly to true freshmen.

Would've liked to see him enroll here early, but I still think we gonna see him on the field.

-Stick it in

HOT DAMN I'M SO EXCITED FOR OUR FUTURE.

That feeling when UGA comes in last minute and you say nawww FAM I've found HOME already don't waste your time.

Shane and his broom stick couldn't seal the deal.

Watching his highlights I have trouble understanding why he's only a 3 star recruit. He shakes off tackles and has break away speed at the 5A level. Plus his vision seems pretty good.
I'm also glad Hokie20 and Beaker's Auto Garage were right on this one.

"That move was slicker than a peeled onion in a bowl of snot." -Mike Burnop

5'11", 200 lbs. so it's not an issue of size.

OH, did Bama offer? If not, that's -2 stars.

A decade on TKP and it's been time well spent.

"Welcome to the Terror Dome." -- Corey Moore

Depending on where you look, he's a 4

"Welcome to the Terror Dome." -- Corey Moore

I was going based on the 247 composite. I know ESPN has him as a 4 star, but I put a little less weight in their rankings.

"That move was slicker than a peeled onion in a bowl of snot." -Mike Burnop

They had Timmy at 5* so they had that going for them.

"I'll put a quote here to distract you from my inane comment."-Me

Scout has the worst rankings by far

This just in, ESPN is absolutely fantastic when their rankings favor us (in any category including but not limited to recruits, polls, and power rankings)

It's Georgia High School Football, where coaches are paid six figures for wins.

If he was in Virginia, he'd be a high 4, possibly 5 star, and dominate every single game. His numbers aren't dominant -- dominant is in the eye of the beholder -- because everyone he goes up against is possible 4 or 5 star recruit. The SEC loves this type of recruit. I love that we are recruiting Georgia and noticed we've even offered out in Louisiana. We've even stepped up our Florida game. This is the type of talent we need. Speed. Speed. Speed. All. Day. Long.

TKPhi Damn Proud
BSME 2009

Exactly. I've said for years that there are plenty of high quality guys that fly under the radar down here because many of these players at the 5A, 6A (and now 7A) level can find themselves sitting behind 4 or 5 star talent for a lot longer than they would in other areas of the country. You could build a whole collegiate team from just 3 star guys here in Georgia and be the most talented team in the country when all is said and done.

I can attest -the place is nuts in Georgia. Our local high school; my two high-schoolers are on the JV/Varsity foorball teams and the coach got up to speak at the banquet, after the audience was told (in his first year) that the donations and budget for the team TRIPLED its highest annual totals ever. And then he said he has plans for another 200% in monies to "really put them in-stride" with the programs they face.

And the school's strongest sport is the math Olympiad...

(sorry, just bitching on the amount of money leaving my wallet)

"...sticks and stones may break my bones but I'm gonna kick you repeatedly in the balls Gardoki!"

Come to TX where even the tiny schools have insane budgets

Gimme a 3-star out of Florida or Georgia over a 4-star from Richmond all day long

-Stick it in

And now I see that the card stunt was 100% intended to send these pictures to recruits. Brilliant.

Holston has an impressive offer list. He is a solid commit for the Hokies!

Emma approves.

Tyrod did it Mikey, Tyrod did it!!

Tyrod did it Mikey, Tyrod did it!!

Can't resist just one more...

not that I don't love the TKP-Emma Watson obsession admiration, but this picture looks like a freeze frame of those random people who don't know how to skip.

There's a certain poetry about the way she does it.

JUMP ON STATEMENT 17

Oh! Look! It's the graphic Guerry created.

I got to drink beer from Great Divide and then this, all in the same day.

"I liked you guys a lot better when everybody told you you were terrible." -Justin Fuente

Was it a Yeti?

Titan IPA. I'm going in search of Yeti on Saturday before I leave Denver.

"I liked you guys a lot better when everybody told you you were terrible." -Justin Fuente

Good luck finding him. I've been lucky to get it and the coconut on draft at the Answer in Richmond. Soooo effin good

Mmm. The Answer. Love the Wake N' Bacon. Had one Saturday night just before the ACC championship game started.

My favorite spot in all of Richmond. The bartenders are awesome

I think it's always on tap at their drafthouse.

Fingers crossed.

"I liked you guys a lot better when everybody told you you were terrible." -Justin Fuente

Success.

"I liked you guys a lot better when everybody told you you were terrible." -Justin Fuente

Check out Left Hand beers while you are there. Their Milk Stout is the most famous I think and great for this time of year, but they have some other really good ones.

"When I was growing up, Virginia Tech was a school that was kicking ass and taking names, and it's time we get back to that" - James Franklin

You know the next part of this movie is where Cleopatra admits she's been having an affair, proceeds to mock everyone at the table, and throws wine in their faces?

CONFIRMED HOLSTON WILL SIGN WITH FSU /s

After seeing this pop up a few times recently I went to check the source this morning...

that's some of the weirdest sh!t I've ever seen

Yup....

How very Hooish of her.

"When I was growing up, Virginia Tech was a school that was kicking ass and taking names, and it's time we get back to that" - James Franklin

I must disagree. A Hoo would never waste wine. She would drink it, then tell you how horrible it was, and that you have horrible taste in wine and everything else in your life.

"Exit light..."

Oh a Hoo most certainly would waste wine if it was touched by someone of the lower class. Can't risk tainting the gene pool, VTGM!

"When I was growing up, Virginia Tech was a school that was kicking ass and taking names, and it's time we get back to that" - James Franklin

Yet they insist on consuming Zima.

WAIT IT ALL MAKES SENSE NOW

"Exit light..."

Correct... even us plebes have standards

"When I was growing up, Virginia Tech was a school that was kicking ass and taking names, and it's time we get back to that" - James Franklin

...they do have a shuttle

Let's Go

HOKIES

Agree this sounds much more like something a Hand would do or a Nnadi or a Bailey or.....

I truly don't think I'm ever going to be the same again.

Of course I talk to myself, sometimes I need expert advice.

I just spent the last 15 minutes reading about this movie. Wikipedia claims you can't even find the original version anymore. To say my interest is piqued would be an understatement. I am about 5 minutes away from going full sleuth mode on this.

I found it online a few years ago. I'm sure you can still find it out there. It's an interesting watch. Somewhat eerie and uncomfortable, especially the cinematography from the 1930s just makes it feel very dark. One of those you can't forget.

That's definitely the feel I got from reading about it, and I will most certainly be trying to watch it here soon.

I'd recommend it. It's definitely one of the oldies I recommend everyone watch but by no means my favorite. Alexander Nevsky for the win.

It pops up on TCM every once in a while.

Definitely clears up the reference.

It's wonderful to see The CJF Express hitting a full head of steam, get on board!! The good times are just beginning.

Awesome news, all this hype has me excited for the weekend! Time for Fuente to continue the building process.

Also, I too know things. Everyone should be aware of that.

I know nothing...and it's awesome

Onward and upward

Well, there's the known-knowns, and the known-unknowns...

"Exit light..."

I was going to put this as my tagline on here. But I couldn't remember the exact quote. And I don't really know that much.

This is exciting

Onward and upward

The offense is gonna be real pretty

Oooh I love this.

"Tajh Boyd over the middle . . . and it's caught for an interception! Michael Cole, lying flat on his back, ARE YOU KIDDING???"

That idiot Scout reporter needs to learn how to pronounce Fuente's name.

There's apparently more than one Justin Fuente

Keep calm, Gobble on

Obligatory Thank you to Whit Babcock, for hiring the right people.

6-5, 10-1-1, 2-9, 3-8, 6-4-1, 6-5, 5-6, 2-8-1, 9-3, 8-4, 10-2, 10-2, 7-5, 9-3, 11-1, 11-1, 8-4, 10-4, 8-5, 10-3, 11-2, 10-3, 11-3, 10-4, 10-3, 11-3, 11-3, 7-6, 8-5, 7-6, 7-6, 10-4, 9-4, 6-7, 8-5..........

hmmm... so now is JustaFan going to add to his signature on the same line, or make a new line? Inquiring minds want to know!

It will continue on the same line. It does not matter to me who is leading the Hokies, I will still follow the team.

Edit: Let me clarify, it does matter to me who is leading the team as I obviously want someone that is going to do a good job and doing the job the right way. What I meant was that I follow the team, and although I take great satisfaction in the accomplishment of individual players and coaches, the team is what is important to me.

6-5, 10-1-1, 2-9, 3-8, 6-4-1, 6-5, 5-6, 2-8-1, 9-3, 8-4, 10-2, 10-2, 7-5, 9-3, 11-1, 11-1, 8-4, 10-4, 8-5, 10-3, 11-2, 10-3, 11-3, 10-4, 10-3, 11-3, 11-3, 7-6, 8-5, 7-6, 7-6, 10-4, 9-4, 6-7, 8-5..........

His sig line predates Beamer by a few years. Did not notice that before.

___

-What we do is, if we need that extra push, you know what we do? -Put it up to fully dipped? -Fully dipped. Exactly. It's dork magic.

From the Post-UVA recruiting article:

"Coach Fuente has always told me that I'm the missing key in the offense that they need, and he feels I could help take them to the next level, to a national championship," Holston said. "The recruiting class that they have coming in has a lot of offensive players and he wants me to be one of those guys that takes them to a championship."

he feels I could help take them to the next level, to a national championship

I like this.

We're not aiming anywhere but the top.

The Orange and Maroon you see, that's fighting on to victory.

Yessir!!
Those are some pretty big offers he had as well. Love seeing us compete for HS talent. I like a lot of what this young man had to say too. Can't wait to see him in orange and maroon!

Awesome glad to have him on the team!

Like his attitude and seems like he's willing to work.

AWWWWWW YIISSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

"Take care of the little things and the big things will come."

Can I get a "bud cartwheel" gif!?
This guy is the type of back we need! Quote me on this. This guy will be special!

Hokie Love!

Your gif is my command

"What are you going to do, stab me? - Quote from Man Stabbed

Can I get a "bud cartwheel" gif!?
This guy is the type of back we need! Quote me on this. This guy will be special!
-HokiePfla

What qualities does Holston have that our current backs don't? I mean like what
attributes set him apart.

In watching his Hudl and purely my opinion, it looks like he is a combination of the size and speed of McMillian with the pass catching of McClease. IMO