June 2018 - recruiting thread part 3

Discuss and share any Virginia Tech related recruiting topics from June 2018 [0] that don't warrant their own thread [1]. Please do some digging to share original content (e.g. embed the original tweet, not a link to another post/website with said tweet), add context / relevant information and respect the Community Guidelines.

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Comments

Looks like we won't have Beaver to protect Hooker's back side

I find this tweet far more offensive than any "Virginia Tech University" commitment tweet I've read.

Warning: this post occasionally contains strong language (which may be unsuitable for children), unusual humor (which may be unsuitable for adults), and advanced mathematics (which may be unsuitable for liberal-arts majors)..

Poor guy.

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

If folks have been paying attention, and judging from some comments they haven't, VT has a bunch of athletic young offensive tackles that they are very high on. Darrisaw, Dzansi, Culver, and Hudson all could work at tackle spots.This class is all about getting interior guys now.

Five star get after it 100 percent Juice Key-Playing. MAN

I wonder if there were any family members (i.e. aunts, cousins, uncles) involved with his decision...

Anybody have any insights on who the "big man on campus" is?

Believe it's Adarius Jones our top DT target this cycle.

PDXHokie

Not Jones

Free Hugh

Per this article from 247 it looks like it was D'Von Ellies visiting yesterday, another 2019 DT prospect.

Anyone know how Ellies' visit went?

Seems like a really good plan as things with Adarious Jones go south (literally).

He's actually +120 in the composite. Almost exactly the same size. Really good tape.

Drucky likey. Drucky want Ellies.

the numbers donโ€™t lie and they spell disaster

So I guess we only have to wait a week and a half to find out what this is about?

Pretty sure this was related to Tayvion, I think it was just edited later on.

When does Tayvion announce?

TKPhi Damn Proud
BSME 2009

30th I believe

PDXHokie

Robinson announces today. Adarious Jones tweeted that something is coming on the 3oth.

Justin on Virginia Tech pro boards said around 7.


Boom coming soon!!

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

I take it Tayvion is one of The Silents, BAG?

the numbers donโ€™t lie and they spell disaster

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

the numbers donโ€™t lie and they spell disaster

Not sure what this gif means, but I could watch her eat that apple all day.

There is nothing in the world like Thursday night in Blacksburg!

I'm assuming by your handle you were in Agriculture, so are you more excited about the apple or her?

I'm checking out the red delicious.

There is nothing in the world like Thursday night in Blacksburg!

Me too, but that is a green apple...

Definitely a Granny Smith green

You will see this game, this upset and this sign next on ESPN Sportscenter. Virginia Tech 31 Miami 7

His decision was made after a phone call with longtime Virginia Tech assistant coach Bud Foster. All Foster told him was, "We win. They don't."

... she's a redhead isn't she?

Granny Smith's a redhead??

There is nothing in the world like Thursday night in Blacksburg!

It has to be a dye job at her age

Who cares as long as the carpet matches the drapes?

Do you really even care if it doesn't?

"Yes I am going to have favorites. My favorites are high production and low maintenance players, coaches, and staff." - JMFF

What carpet?

"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'll always upvote Sam axe

Ask me no questions, and I'll tell you no lies

Tayvion is a Hokie!!!

Let's GO!!!!

WOOOOO

Assuming we land Adarious Jones and Mario Kendricks this week who else should we reasonable expect to get? (aside from Jordan Houston possibly)

FIRST DOWN, HOKIES!

I would not assume that

This... the Adarious situation seems precarious at best. Wouldn't get my hopes too high

What's going on with Adarious Jones? Are the coaches not that high on him?

FIRST DOWN, HOKIES!

I think he's waiting for a certain big dog to come calling. I don't know how much he really likes VT but I think it's less than we would hope.

Possibly some wideouts

Free Hugh

Okay so I'll go ahead and ask it was robinson a silent or are we still at 3 left?

Directions from Blacksburg to whoville, go north till you smell it then go east until you step in it

Tay was a silent for several months, I believe. I think we have 1 silent left as Simonds was also one, and there doesn't seem to be a replacement silent like some thought last week. Though, I think we're in good shape to land 1 or 2 more commits this month.

Is there enough room remaining for?

2RB
1WR
2OL
2DT
1ATH

To my knowledge, the rest of the spots and targets available look like this:

QB: 0
RB: 1-2 (Top Targets: Houston, Gary/ Other Targets: Knight, Griffin)
WR: 1-2 (Top Targets: Pinkeney, Hazel/ Other Targets: None)
TE: 0
OL: 0-1 (Top Target: Pritchard/ Other Targets: Moore, Wright, Simonds if he flips)
DE: 0
DL: 2 (Top Targets: Kendricks, Jones/ Ellies if we miss on one of them)
LB: 0
S: 0
DB: 0

Total Spots/Targets Remaining: 4-7

Like BAG mentioned, the next few will go quickly and then the last targets that decide to wait will either be a "take" no matter what or others depend on the "numbers".

RB: 1-2 (Top Targets: Ford, Houston, Gary/ Other Targets: Knight, Griffin)

Fixed it

Now finish up them taters; I'm gonna go fondle my sweaters.

......

Danny is always open

FWIW I talked to the family member again this weekend. I asked what VT could've done better. There was some feeling that VT has lost some of its swag/flash since Tyrod left, especially on O. That was tough to hear but I can sympathize. As a fan I can feel it too. LT was money on 4th, Brewer was a soldier, and JJ is stil green, but the O hasnt had a flash since TT and David Wilson. I dont want to digress but I couldnt really argue with that... Family still loves VT but their son's happiness comes first. Unless Franklin goes it isnt likely he flips to the good guys.

Well they are flat out mistaken . Fu in his first year broke a bunch of records on offense that was with a New Juco QB and a team that the offense was new to them . Last year they fell off some and were hurt by the loss of Bucky and Ford early and injuries and that position was left bare because of recruiting . They still put up numbers better than most of Franks teams, the stats speak for themselves . Fuentes is recruiting his guys and VT is on the rise we are getting ready to be a very good team . LT ? How about Wake 0-0 or the Rutgers bowl game or 17 points we put up a number of times against terrible ECU defenses . Good luck to Ford they can state any observation they want but that does not make it so . I could not be more happy about the direction of VT football

Coastal 1

Swag isnt all about stats though. TT had it. DW had it. They were exciting to watch. I'd argue Stroman was the closest we've had recently but he was D/ST. Im hopeful with Fuente's guys we start to see more of it, and I think guys like Ellis and hopefully QP, can bring that. We will see.

Jerod had a little bit of it. JJ certainly does not have it.

Free Hugh

I agree. Cam was the closest guy last year for us. It is just a personal confidence level we haven't had in a while on offense.

"I'm too drunk to taste this chicken" - Colonel Sanders via Ricky Bobby

cam had swag off the field. but on it he never really seemed like a guy that had it. I certainly think bucky may have had to much of it on the field and it didn't match his production and Isaiah was a quite guy too. Id have to agree with the above when they said stro was the one with the most swag in recent years. He had a D.Hall flashiness too him that every time he touched it you thought or hoped it could be something special. but NO one in recent years is going to be able to compete with the swag that sequan brought to penn st. before that I think they had one of the stalest offenses in the NCAA but one man can make you forget all about that.

twitter @smithey_daniel
head scout BSP scouting specializing in north florida/ southern GA highschool football scouting

Man... I just turned 30 and usually I don't feel that old...

But if croots now are basing where they want to be on such an undefinable and immeasurable trait like "swag," maybe it's time to come to grips with the fact that this whole racket is just really dumb sometimes.

Swag? What does the family think we were recruiting Ford for?? He WAS our swag package for the recruiting year.

I hate rude behavior in a man. Won't tolerate it.

one click shows Wagoneer's been around TKP for 7 years. Sheesh. Everyone take a nap, have a snickers or something.

This is all absurd. Swag?! VT is not swag, never has been. Swag doesn't carry around a busted up lunch pail. I realize the lunch pail is a Bud Foster, Defense thing, but in my opinion, VT has NEVER had Swag as part of its reputation. Some individual offensive players had a persona and enthusiasm that brought attention to "me" (Vicks, David Wilson, Tyrod, Bucky Hodges, Chris Ellis, Corey Moore) but I don't think players like that suddenly bring top recruits. I say, let Miami have their swag, I'll take blue collar and winning.

Marty Smith says it pretty damn well.

Outspoken team cake advocate. Hates terrapins. Resident Macho Man Gif Poster. Distant cousin to Dork Magic. Frequently misspells words.

chills. every. time.

Swag, nowadays, doesn't mean a team is all flash, no cash. It's the confidence that a team or player carries. Swag often comes with wins because in the right group of guys it shows a confidence that's toeing the line with cockiness. Nobody is going to look at a team that doesn't win games and say they have swag. When Oregon was under Chip Kelly, the perception of that team was swag. Lots of notoriety for their uniform combinations and recruits would ooo and ahh because they won games, which made the uniforms a cool bonus. The perception of their program has visibly changed because looking good doesn't matter if you're 4-8 or 7-6 like they were the last two years.

I say, let Miami have their swag, I'll take blue collar and winning.

Miami is on an absolute recruiting tear the last few cycles. Richt has that program heading in the right direction. The ACC coastal isn't the SEC... he's going to turn them into a regular season powerhouse. "Winning" against them won't be easy for the foreseeable future.

And the SEC east isn't the ACC Atlantic, but sometimes Florida AND Georgia have good teams and play for national championships. Winning conference titles is never easy and you are going to have to beat good teams to get there.

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

I don't understand the folks who somehow argue a resurgent Miami is good thing for the ACC and therefore it is good for Virginia Tech.

It is not.

I would argue that a resurgent Virginia Tech is good for Miami, and good for the ACC. Well, maybe not so good for Miami.

Take the shortest route to the ball and arrive in bad humor.

You realize that there are almost always "pros" and "cons" to every scenario... it's rarely just all good or all bad. It is a good thing to have a competitive divisional rival with a national following. When we beat them this year, you'll see how much more it matters than when we beat them year before last...

Agreed.... Miami being good means likely more primetime games/spotlights when we play them, and that probably appeals more to recruits than lazy nooners. I believe recruits want to play in conferences with the best competition.

Miami being good also means it is that much more harder to beat them on a regular basis

Bleeding burnt orange and chicago maroon

Exactly. Pros and cons. I hate Miami and would be cool if they never won another game, but then who would care about playing them every year?

Plus I hate LOLUVA more, and they already have that spot locked down. I would rather play a Miami that beats FSU every year than one that loses to them. We need someone else in the division to be the Michigan to our OSU, LSU to our Bama, etc to get back to national hype. Who else can fill that roll? At least Miami does not poach our NC recruits like the NC teams would. We saw how hard it was for the media to get behind UNC or GT when they hit a peak. I'd rather play a better Miami than a better cross-divisional rival.

Sometimes we live no particular way but our own

Yeah...but then the narrative typically isn't "Tech is sooo good" but usually "Miami just isn't who we thought they were." I do like the them being good, makes the games more important on a national scale and all that jazz, but the media still has them at the center of the story.

Amateur superstar and idiot extraordinaire.

Will always be that way, they have the history that has earned them that. But if we're one of only one or two teams to beat them in a given year and we handle the rest of our shit then we'll get some props, too.

We got almost 0 props for beating Ohio State who went on to win the national championship

Free Hugh

I feel that has more to do with failing to handle our business the rest of the season. Starting with the very next game.

Yeah, I was going to reply with exactly this. There are obvious reasons why we didn't get any respect: we sucked.

That's not even a little bit true. I distinctly remember getting back to my hotel in Columbus and watching ESPN shower us with "dark horse playoff contender" hype for hours on end. That whole week we were getting hyped up. And then we lost to ECU and GT and that good will evaporated.

Yes. And the cons easily outweigh the pros.

A resurgent Miami is not good for VT.

As a fan, more than winning, I want to watch fun football and go to big games. Yes, technically we would have a better shot at the playoffs if we slide through a pathetically easy conference schedule, but then we'd just get blown out against better competition. Miami being good not only raises our stature, it forces us to be better and offers the opportunity to play some big-time football and prepare our players for that environment.

If Miami controls the division the next 5-10 years, like VT did for the 1st 10 years in the ACC,v let's see how we feel then.

I see your point, but Miami being good doesn't mean VT has to be bad. Also, you have to admit beating Miami in 03 felt a little bit better than beating them in 2010. Miami being good gives us a chance for program defining wins.

Te to qb

It also means we'll have more heartbreaking losses.

Who said it meant VT had to be bad? But if Miami gets its act together, VT could be the Coastal bridesmaid for a good stretch.

If that happens, I'll bet the up votes will be the first and loudest complainers.

Well, you've got first locked down for all occasions.

But 2nd maybe.

This isn't the 90s anymore. Just because you like blue collar attitude doesn't mean its going to appeal to kids. A modest blue collar approach is a stupid hill to die on.

-Signed someone covered in grease and shit.

Free Hugh

It doesn't matter if it doesn't appeal to kids, it's who we are. We can lie to ourselves everyday, or we can put our heads down and work.

Outspoken team cake advocate. Hates terrapins. Resident Macho Man Gif Poster. Distant cousin to Dork Magic. Frequently misspells words.

Because other programs with more star power don't "put their heads down and work"

It's who we are because it's who we have to be, but if we ever want to realize our lofty aspirations, it needs to become a part of who we were.

Free Hugh

Swag

SWAG

SWAG

SWAG

If you play it, they will win.

"How the ass pocket will be used, I do not know. Alls I know is, the ass pocket will be used." -The BoD

S W A G

"Why gobble gobble chumps asks such good questions, I will never know." - TheFifthFuller

No swag conversation is complete without some punter swag from the OG of punter swag.

Swag doesn't have to be about clowning around on the sidelines and carrying on like morons on the field. To me, swag is all about having the mindset that, when you go into a stadium, be it your stadium or on the road, rolling in with the 100% belief that you are the better team and you are going to win the game. Even more, its walking into that kind of environment when the opponent knows you think that, and in the back of their minds, they think it too.

We had that swag from 1999 through 2010. It didn't matter where we went, we went in with the confidence we were the better team and we knew we were walking out with a win. Its what made each of the losses feel so crushing, and why so many opponents celebrated those wins to the level they did. We were the better team, they knew it, and they won.

We've lost that over the past 8 years. Right now we're going into a season where people are predicting us to go 7-5 and the majority on here don't really have too much of an argument against that. The program just doesn't have the bite that it used to. The problem is, we now have at least one superpower in the ACC in Clemson and a couple others that are seemingly knocking on that door in FSU and Miami, and for us to get back to where we want to be, we have to go through them, so it just makes that kind of mentality feel that much further away.

"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

There's also a level of experience that comes with Swaggerโ„ข๏ธ that we have not had for the most part in the last several seasons. Jerod Evans, IMO, is the last player to have it, and it almost felt out of place on that '16 team because the rest of the offense was so utterly devoid of it. Buck and Isaiah are perfect examples of really great but Swagโ„ข๏ธ-less players. Both made many great plays for us; both had plenty of exciting - and excited - moments. But neither had the personality (or W-L totals, tbh) needed to be purveyors of Swagโ„ข๏ธ.

And as I said above, we've been too green lately to have it. Most of the current cast aren't what I'd call big pot-stirrers. Tons of potential for success with guys like JJ, Kumah, Holston, Peoples, Cunningham, Carroll, and Keene. NOT a ton of Swaggerโ„ข๏ธ.

But there ARE some guys on this roster who I think can bring it. Deshawn McClease comes to mind immediately; Savoy is a dynamic playmaker who can get the crowd to their feet (note: I hope he's fixed the drops - you can't bring Swaggerโ„ข๏ธ if you can't catch the ball consistently). Grimsley showed flashes of it when he started getting touches. I will be very interested to watch the player development (and Swagโ„ข๏ธ development) of guys like Phil Patterson, Damon Hazelton, Terius Wheatley, Drake DeIuliis and some others. I suspect HH has it (but has yet to be put in a situation to show it).

I give the incoming freshmen a pass - they have enough to deal with aside from worrying about giving their new team an identity (but I think we will see some of Tre Turner this season, and I do expect him to become a future VT Swagโ„ข๏ธ Ambassador as his career takes shape; same (in varying degrees) for guys like Ellis and Mitchell)...

The irony in Ford's criticism, of course, is that he would have been THE Swagโ„ข๏ธ Ambassador for this team for the next few years. I don't want to tear a kid down for not choosing The Good Guys. But it does seem like DF chose the path of least resistance (PSU has built-in Swagโ„ข๏ธ as a blue-blood) while also putting himself in a loaded RB room, thereby making his own Swagโ„ข๏ธ more difficult to display (see Laborn, Khalan). He's just another brick in the wall at PSU (for now). He could have been the architect for us.

Still can be, Devyn. Just sayin'.

the numbers donโ€™t lie and they spell disaster

guess we gotta get one of them fancy chains for devyn huh? *rolls eyes*

twitter @smithey_daniel
head scout BSP scouting specializing in north florida/ southern GA highschool football scouting

Since when is Penn State a blue blood?

Free Hugh

I asked the same question during the Ford meltdown. Blue blood is impossible to define, but I have a hard time categorizing Penn St as such.

"A person is smart. People are dumb, panicky dangerous animals and you know it." - K

I take Michigan, Ohio State, Texas, Oklahoma, maybe Nebraska, USC, Alabama, Notre Dame, and almost Florida State and almost Miami.

Free Hugh

They're wrong if they don't have Michigan at least tied with the top. I personally think Alabama and Michigan have the best claim.

Free Hugh

The case against Michigan for me is that Harbaugh (who I think is a great coach) has underperformed the last 2-3 years. Franklin stoke his milkshake.

They can bounce back this year, but in 2016, I had Harbaugh right there with Dabo/Urban behind Saban. Now, I've got Harvaugh behind Franklin, Kirby and maybe Lincoln.

Current coach and status have nothing to do with being a blue blood though.

Free Hugh

I thought we were talking Big Dog (TM) which I would define as I did above (below?) where current relevance is important.

If we are strictly defining Blue Bloods, then it is less important for sure. But also less important to the macro scale discussion about recruiting.

That seemed to make sense right up until Arkansas

Yeah I have no idea how they have Arkansas in the top 25 maybe just SECthings but to its ridiculous I can't remember a time they were a football force in my lifetime.

(add if applicable) /s

Arkansas should definitely be on this list.

https://m.arktimes.com/ArkansasBlog/archives/2016/08/02/arkansas-razorba...

Also, not a force in your lifetime? They have more top 15 rankings at the end of this decade than tech. They finished 12th and then 5th in 2011 with their only losses that year to #1 LSU, and to #3 Alabama (ended up national champs) and both were away games.

If petrino didn't decide to wreck his motorcycle with a 20 something intern on the back then that momentum he built up would have been dangerous even in the brutal sec West.

I won't get worked up about them being #25 on that list because it starts to get pretty foggy at that point, but I'd point out that they've also missed a bowl game in 4 of the last 10 seasons. I don't think finishing two seasons ranked in the top 15 really make up for that. For comparison Boise State finished the season ranked in the top 15 in 5 of the last 10 seasons.

Joffrey, Cersei, Ilyn Payne, the Hound, Jeff Jagodzinski, Paul Johnson, Pat Narduzzi.

All of this and they blew a 24 pt halftime lead in the 2016 Belk Bowl. That doesn't sound like Top 25 material to me either.

Plan for the worst and hope for the best, not the other way around.

And that's not even their worst choke. See: last night's College World Series

"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

Ehhhh....they begrudgingly check the boxes for me:

- history

- money

- relevance: they had lost this under Paterno but Franklin is 22-5 the last two years with a B10championship and a Rose and Fiesta bowl

- name brand - Has to be one of the top 15 brands, maybe top 10

- geography - not in the SE recruiting Mecca, but they own the NE down into DMV, do well in Va, battle Mich/OSU in Midwest.

-SWAG - again, tough to admit, but with Barkley, that offense was a lot of fun the last two years....and it was run based, something VT fans can appreciate. Hopefully Morehead took that fun offense with him to Miss St.

They aren't Bama, OSU or Clemson, but they've won a NC more recently than UGA. If I was buying stock, behind the Big 3, I would value OU/UGA next and PSU right after that. I would have them ahead of traditional Big Dogs like USCw, UF and Texas.

I'm old enough to remember when Penn St football was considered kind of a joke (actually most Eastern football was) by most serious football fans even though they had built up 15 or so years of a track record. And this wasn't THAT long ago - well into the 70s. Almost like Boise St nowadays. And even in the 70s, Pitt was probably taken more seriously than Penn St as a true football power.

Having said that (and regrettably putting the Sandusky episode aside), they do have 50+ yrs of tradition, a huge fanbase (and the demise of Pitt football), and now with B1G money, I would call them a borderline blueblood. But they're still 3rd in their own division in terms of program cache, IMO.

And this wasn't THAT long ago - well into the 70s

This has nothing to do with Penn St per se but in two years, the 70s will have started a half-century ago. I think we're getting to the point that they are, in fact, THAT long ago.

Thanks for making me feel extra old today. Geesh. Youngun's today.

Take the shortest route to the ball and arrive in bad humor.

If he's looking at a school based on swag, he probably would not be a fit for VT

TBH Vt is actually up there in the swag dept. We are always getting something new. Helmets and Unis in particular. I think he is just looking at who has had the most success at the position he is playing. Now I think he is looking for a reason to not have chose vt. He he is definitely a player. But not one with a lot Sauce. If he had the same personal swagoo sauce as a MV7 or T-mobile he would have committed to Vt hands down. They wanted to bring the swagoo

Hokie Love!

Best guess in order of likelihood to commit as it sits today

1. Kendricks
2. Pritchard
3. Pinckney
4. Griffin
5. Gary
6. Houston (I'd put him higher but he's a lot like Robinson in the slot and not big enough to be an every down back) not sure he has a spot if we get 4 or 5
7. Ellie's
8. Hazel
9. Jones

Is there going to be any recruiting drama for either signing day?

there always is

"Why gobble gobble chumps asks such good questions, I will never know." - TheFifthFuller

Do we still have time to add another recruit for next years hoops team?

Still waiting on the story BAG hinted at to get brought to the light

Directions from Blacksburg to whoville, go north till you smell it then go east until you step in it

Waiting on that kid to commit before I share that story

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

Wo wo to figured this was a bit of ugly news and now you say good news my Lord this has turned around!

Directions from Blacksburg to whoville, go north till you smell it then go east until you step in it

Maybe its just I don't usually look at what other schools are in the race but is is just me or have we been with some pretty significant "big dogs" consistently this cycle.

(add if applicable) /s

Yes. Yes we have.

Aren't most of these players coming in right now 3*'s? Haven't we always been able to get high 3*'s? I thought the big dogs are the $ and 5 stars.

I'm pretty sure a lot of these guys we've been getting looks from are projected to finish low - mid 4* I very well could be wrong though.

(add if applicable) /s

the big dogs in question here are Bama, Georgia, and Michigan

"Why gobble gobble chumps asks such good questions, I will never know." - TheFifthFuller

I feel relatively certain that Payoute Robinson Pinckney and probably Hawkins wind up as composite 4 star players before signing day... Maybe Hanson Sainristil and Bowick too....

I won't be overly surprised if we wind up with a class of 8 4 star guys and 8 3 star guys... Would be great to have a class comprised of 50% 4 star players.

How many of those 16 will be borderline 3*/4*?

Always johnny-on-the-spot with the positivity.

Let's just say there are a LOT of high 3*s and some 4*s, not that I think those ratings are anything close to an exact science.

In other words, it's good news.

Just asking the question - I haven't taken a particularly close look at the stars of individual recruits. But I like to see it as realistic pragmatism.

Nothing wrong with that borderline 3*/4* neck of the woods - VT has lived in it pretty successfully for years. But there is a difference between a guy that is 4* across the board and a guy who is 4* by one service and 3* by the others. It's why the composite numeric rating (which may be trending upward - it's hard to tell yet) is a better tool than cherry picking stars.

There is a difference, but not a big difference.

It depends. There is a pretty big difference between a top 50 or 100 consensus 4* guy and a top 500 guy with one 4*.

Sometimes there is a big difference in playing ability, sometimes there is a difference in what film was watched when by whom. Not all top 50 guys play that way, and not all top 500 play that way, as ratings are imperfect and almost everyone is little mis-rated. I feel like we have seen more of our offensive recruits move up in ratings during their senior year than in the past (could just be that I follow it more since joining TKP), and are finding more under-recruited offensive players. Seems players tend to get re-valued when their offer list does not match their ratings, and we are recruiting guys who later get offers from OTHER TOP PROGRAMS. DBU happened in part because we could identify 3* corners who could play all Big-East at corner and get us in the door with the 4*'s. Could we be doing that with WR now?

Sometimes we live no particular way but our own

Over time if you get all consensus top 100 4* vs borderline 4*, there will be a big difference.

On an individual basis? Of course not. But I still prefer my odds with a consensus top 100 4*.

shhhhhhhhhhhhh

I mean at some point you'd think we can't just keep taking wr's

VT '17

The numbers always work out

(add if applicable) /s

WR is the new TE.

There's a QB joke there somewhere...

Is the yellow, downward trending plot emoji supposed to be for Michigan? If so, that is perfect.

"Nope, launch him into the sun and fart on him on the way up"
-gobble gobble chumps

"11-0, bro"
-Hunter Carpenter (probably)

Or McDonald's?

"A person is smart. People are dumb, panicky dangerous animals and you know it." - K

A few recruiting staff members retweeted it.

Wet stuff on the red stuff.

Join us in the Key Players Club

I REALLY like this guy. Could be a true-blue no. 1 wideout for us. Love how he catches with purpose, attacks the ball when catching. Love his after-the-catch skills as well.

One might even say that he IS a catch!

He's gonna be a Rock for that defense.

.

Sorry

the numbers donโ€™t lie and they spell disaster

"Yes I am going to have favorites. My favorites are high production and low maintenance players, coaches, and staff." - JMFF

So he'll only have one year of eligibility? In 2019 as a senior?

Comment shows a Cuse tweet that says that he has two years of eligibility remaining. (Two years to play two.)

"Yes I am going to have favorites. My favorites are high production and low maintenance players, coaches, and staff." - JMFF

Wasn't he a 2015 signee?

If so, that's

2015 - Yr 1 VT Redshirt
2016 - Yr 2 VT
2017 - Yr 3 JUCO - FBS ineligible
2018 - Yr 4 Syracuse - ACC ineligible
2019 - Yr 5 Syracuse - eligible

I must be missing something here. Maybe because he went the JUCO route, the 2 yr ACC rule doesn't apply?

I believe that's correct. The two year ACC rule doesn't apply, because he went JUCO. That's only for direct transfers.

"Yes I am going to have favorites. My favorites are high production and low maintenance players, coaches, and staff." - JMFF

Thanks.

Anybody with sauces know if we should be concerned about Sainristil as a possible flip. He just picked up a CB to Michigan...

I believe there is a legitimate cause for concern.

Looking at his 247 and Twitter it doesn't look like he has visited there recently or anything. Is it all on the back of them recruiting Cine?

.

I would hate to lose Sainristil but if we do oh well, plenty of kids on Hampton Roads down to Florida that we can recruit. I also like DC and Maryland. I know it's a stereotype but I believe Maryland-Florida and Texas is where the best talent is every year.

FIRST DOWN, HOKIES!

.

Delete

Maybe it's to make space for Tank Land? [ducks]

Shouldn't need to lose a whole recruit to make space for Tank Land. Maybe just 5/6 of a recruit. ;^)

"Yes I am going to have favorites. My favorites are high production and low maintenance players, coaches, and staff." - JMFF

I thought Tank Land was a museum in Danville.

Warning: this post occasionally contains strong language (which may be unsuitable for children), unusual humor (which may be unsuitable for adults), and advanced mathematics (which may be unsuitable for liberal-arts majors)..

He is only 2 inches shorter and 9 lbs lighter than Sainristil, according to 247

How dare you bring logic to refute my humor?

Okay, we only need to lose .97 of Sainristil by height, or .95 by weight.

"Yes I am going to have favorites. My favorites are high production and low maintenance players, coaches, and staff." - JMFF

Crystal Balls looking like Pinckney will be committing to VT. Up to 80% CB with both VT and USC insiders. He looks to be the real deal. We are loaded wih WR talent.

What is Sheridan talking about (only Hokies have commented on it)

Not sure we're pursuing heavily. Haven't heard a peep about him in a while.

Blessed and honored to be invited to be apart of the Pro Football Hall of Fame โœŠ๐Ÿพ๐Ÿ’ฏ@PFHOFAcademy@GHoward_Scout@ProFootballHOF @ttherzog@coachkeith_NP @calltothehall@recruitedits pic.twitter.com/GBnQ8Z4775โ€” SHERIDAN JONES โ€ผ๏ธ (@SJones3_) June 26, 2018 " />

I didn't do that right, but you get the point. It was all over his twitter, not sure how you missed it

Well Hokie Country didn't retweet that one. And KeAndre Lambert was messing around with Sheridan

I know. Tbh though some Hokies made us look a bit like desperate fools bc they ran with this, then Sheridan tweeted there's no way he's decommiting and of course the klempson fans had a field day with it, just not a great look for VT fans.

I am just saying we went from not in a dudes Top 8 to being where he commits in like 13 days. Crazy things are happening

Fair point, crootin be crazy. I don't see it happening but ya never know.

who are we talking about here?

Nevermind mis-read the context

(add if applicable) /s

I try so hard to follow the crootin. Following all these croots on my Twitter just waiting for the commit. First year doing so might be my last.

All Maroon, all the time!

Buzzketball loses out on what was looking like our final piece to the 2018 recruiting class, until Louisville and Illinois jumped in and offfered him.

"THIS IS WHAT HOME LOOKS LIKE"? What the hell, man!

Warning: this post occasionally contains strong language (which may be unsuitable for children), unusual humor (which may be unsuitable for adults), and advanced mathematics (which may be unsuitable for liberal-arts majors)..

BAG care to elaborate now on this since he has committed?

1-0 every week

Only from the little bit of #sauces I have in the basketball side. (Most of it I don't listen too but I was told this was legit) Buzz told him he didn't want his commitment after watching him shoot around with the guys apparently. He wanted to commit and Buzz said nah we good. Kid is an athlete, but didn't seem to mesh. Best of luck to him, hope he turns into a great player.

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

Gobble Till You Wobble

That's works out because honestly, I didn't really want his commitment either. If we don't have a Pig Jackson next year and the best we could come up with to replace him was #385 in the country (Higgs) I would have been a little disappointed.

I found TKP after two rails from TOTS then walking back to my apartment and re-watching the 2012 Sugar Bowl. I woke up the next day with this username.

...to Virginia Tech University.

*sigh*

Edit: Oh, wait, that's us! YAY!

"Yes I am going to have favorites. My favorites are high production and low maintenance players, coaches, and staff." - JMFF

Love the sketch

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

I don't have the in-depth croot' knowledge. Whats up with Ben Smiley?

His 247 confuses me, ...doesn't show as warm on us, but the predictions are 33% us, 33% boohoos, and 33% cloudy?

Anyone with real knowledge, feel free to correct me, but I'm pretty sure everyone's cooled on him quite a bit and caused a lot of confusion in his recruitment. Pretty sure we wanted him to change positions from the beginning as well.

Oh ok

He isn't a DT in Bud's defense, and he wants to play defense.

Five star get after it 100 percent Juice Key-Playing. MAN

Looks like Adarious Jones is picking up CBs to A&M (one from Watkins and the other from an A&M insider). Is that a product of him "big timing" us or has the staff turned there attention to Ellies who was on campus this weekend? I thought I remembered reading that Jones was our top DT target.

Yeah I'm curious too what is happening there, he seemed like a VT lean for awhile at a huge position of need. Pollard and Kendricks will be good but might take a little time to develop (more so with Pollard), but we need a plug and play DT for 2019 and Jones or Ellies seem like the best left on the board to do that. Have to think its gotta be an easy sell with two future NFL DL the past two years with Settle (and soon Walker) and immediate PT available as a Freshman.

Probably a done deal then. Evan doesn't put cb's out there until he knows the kid has committed or has given his intent to commit somewhere. He's also known for flipping cb's within ~24 hours of a kids commitment.

uva - the taint of the ACC
Callused perineum is a symptom of being a uva fan

...Aren't those somewhat contradictory statements?

As in, he can't only put in a CB when a kid has committed yet also be known for flipping.

Joffrey, Cersei, Ilyn Payne, the Hound, Jeff Jagodzinski, Paul Johnson, Pat Narduzzi.

He doesn't not never does that!
; )

uva - the taint of the ACC
Callused perineum is a symptom of being a uva fan

He's taking Bud with him.

I don't think the "real" story is really out there yet for AJ, but on the surface it seems he just wanted to go elsewhere. I think he wanted a Clemson offer, which never came. I guess you can call it being "big timed" but I don't think that's the best way to phrase it. It's definitely a miss as I think our staff preferred Jones to Ellies, but Jones hadn't been on campus in some time and just think the two sides didn't stay close enough...

Seems like he just really wanted out of VA.

What's the deal with this coach, Chris Scott.....I feel like it's the same story with all these kids he coaches, it's beyond s trend at this point.

There's always something...

Seriously...sometimes feels like the flavor of the week with his top players. First it was Florida state, now Clemson.

Reach for Excellence!

VT Football: It'll get after ya!

Proud Hokie since 2004.

Off Topic, but Nana Asdieu has a heart condition and can no longer play football.

It's almost like... it could use its own thread or something...

Using /s is for cowards.

Gobble Till You Wobble

"Yes I am going to have favorites. My favorites are high production and low maintenance players, coaches, and staff." - JMFF

So we make people drink for a repeat comment how bout a repeat from an exhisting thread? Moonshine chug?

Directions from Blacksburg to whoville, go north till you smell it then go east until you step in it

2 things, I don't ever open The Off Topic thread, and 2. Do you think Nana will stay on Football as Hollie eating up 1 of their 85, or will it somehow get converted to something else?

I don't know exactly how it will work out but Franklin said that they will be honoring his scholarship. Also I'm not sure if this is true but I saw someone on reddit say something about how players in Nana's situation can retain their sports scholarship but it not count against the 85. I'm not sure if that is true though.

Using /s is for cowards.

Yup. It likely won't count towards scholarship. Same thing happened for us with Michael Cole and Marshawn Williams. Career ending injuries allow players to retain scholarships without counting towards the total.

One of the few instances of an NCAA rule that actually benefits the student-athlete*. Imagine that.

(* also benefits the school/program. Maybe it's a typo or something, & the NCAA just hasn't noticed yet?)

the numbers donโ€™t lie and they spell disaster

Found an article from a Michigan blog explaining the medical exemption. As noted we've had lots of players use these in the past.

Medical Redshirt v. Medical exemption explanation

Joffrey, Cersei, Ilyn Payne, the Hound, Jeff Jagodzinski, Paul Johnson, Pat Narduzzi.

7'0" 220 C (acc to Providence athletics site) from Hampton, VA. Class of 2017. Had a VT offer.

I found TKP after two rails from TOTS then walking back to my apartment and re-watching the 2012 Sugar Bowl. I woke up the next day with this username.

Whats the Dickens of the day?

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

Flo? Flo, like the TV show?

So you're saying that his college career will be...

...a tale of two cities?

the numbers donโ€™t lie and they spell disaster

Oh, okay. I see.

Frickin' "soup du jour" bit gets love, but not me...

Damn. I had...

...Great Expectations for that comment

the numbers donโ€™t lie and they spell disaster

I thought it was good. :)

Hokie fan | W&M grad

I would have Great Expectations

Never Forget #1 Overall Seed UVA 54, #64 UMBC 74

I'll serve myself (see above)

the numbers donโ€™t lie and they spell disaster

Please sir, I want some more.... rebounds

I'm not sure about his basketball skills but I know his cider brand is a big hit:

I know jacoby Pickney is going to the Opening, do we have any other commits or targets going to any camps or showcase events like the Rivals 5 star challenge?

Sainristil has 3 CBs to Michigan now. Adarious is 71% aTm. Ferk.

I just sit on my couch and b*tch. - HokieChemE2016

I wonder if Tank Land is now a take if Sainristil flips to Michigan lol

/s but maybe not

Bleeding burnt orange and chicago maroon

I'm wondering if we're cooling on Mike. He started to look really good in the slot at camps and if he wanted to play WR I could see us backing away. That would be 6 WRs for the class if Payoute and Carter played offense. Maybe they want 6 but think they can get Hazel? I just think this is us pushing him away rather than Michigan coming in to poach him.

This notion has been dismissed elsewhere. He is not being pushed away, and make no mistake, this is a loss for VT. Mike S. is a player and is significantly underrated in the eyes of more than a few.

Haven't seen it elsewhere but I was just speculating. Happy to be wrong though as I don't really like that style. And I don't want my comment to come across as I don't care about losing him. I loved his film and really wanted him in the slot or on defense. He looked more electric on tape than most guys I've seen in a long time.

he is reaching for Virginia Tech!

Big if true

(add if applicable) /s

its symbolic, to show that we're just ever so closely out of reach for him

"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 season hasnt started yet..

2018 we will be recognized midway through the season for our dominant offensive line, every game after we will get tired of the commentators talking up our offensive line on repeat. All of our linemen will get drafted, first round.

Yes I'm sure this defensive lineman will be very impressed by the accomplishments of our O line

With that offer list I don't expect to pull this one off

EDIT: lol didn't realize he's the #1 recruit

I just sit on my couch and b*tch. - HokieChemE2016

He was at the VT/Clemson game last year, but that's the last time I've heard anything about him and VT. I'm by no means up to date on his recruitment either, though.

had to look him up. From MD, but he is right up our alley listed as a TE/DE on some sites.

Plan for the worst and hope for the best, not the other way around.

Almost?

He plays where I went to High School.

I haven't heard much because i'm 10 years out of HS and don't really have ties to the football program anymore, but there are a bunch of Hokies in our town and I have heard through the grapevine that he was seriously impressed by Lane during the Clemson game last year, if that's worth anything.

That's it! I'm done obsessing over recruiting!

Let me check TKP

Ah crap

Never Forget #1 Overall Seed UVA 54, #64 UMBC 74

Good company in that list. Hopefully this sort of thing recurring bolsters our brand recognition with other recruits.

Lead recruiter: Cam Goode.

Hope they liked playing alongside one another at St John's Prep. Could be a big plus for us.

(Disclaimer: that is a monster Top 10.)

the numbers donโ€™t lie and they spell disaster

I'd say the only team missing is ... FSU

damn our logo looks good up there among the other big dogs. i know making a top 10 (or 2) and actually landing someone are two very different things, but it definitely feels like the VT brand is getting more respect and trending upward lately.

that's funny, as I looked at that graphic I couldn't help but singing to myself "One of these things is not like the others. One of these things just doesn't belong..."
As much as I feel like we're a big boy football school (read: regional power, best in state, etc), I also always think of us as a second tier football school (not in the playoffs). I expect every other school on that list to be in the CFP conversation every fall. I hope CJF&Co can prove me wrong in the next few years, but that's just where I am.

EDIT: Except Tennessee. Those clowns are even lower on the food chain than we are.

Warning: this post occasionally contains strong language (which may be unsuitable for children), unusual humor (which may be unsuitable for adults), and advanced mathematics (which may be unsuitable for liberal-arts majors)..

I expect every other school on that list to be in the CFP conversation every fall.

I wouldn't putt Tennessee in with them IMO. They haven't won 10 games since 2007. Since then, they have had a below .500 record 5 out of the last 9 years.

Bleeding burnt orange and chicago maroon

see my edit

Warning: this post occasionally contains strong language (which may be unsuitable for children), unusual humor (which may be unsuitable for adults), and advanced mathematics (which may be unsuitable for liberal-arts majors)..

I agree, Tennessee is definitely further out on the fringe than us. They would need to be chipped in.

Plan for the worst and hope for the best, not the other way around.

Tennessee is higher than us on the recruiting ladder. The program may not be running smoothly, but it's definitely bigger than ours

While I know their program is bigger, I think ours is better. Really I was just taking the opportunity to lay down some golfing puns since the poster I was replying to said he was going to putt Tennessee.

Plan for the worst and hope for the best, not the other way around.

They seem to be trying to reset their brand. Like Nebraska, lots of offers out. Could rebound quickly.

VTs recruiting is more aligned with clemsons. More measured, looking for players that are good fits. Many fewer offers out.

I'm going to be honest...we're a few linemen(on both sides) from a depth perspective to being a top tier team again. If we can get the "layered depth" at the Defensive Line that we had in 99, i think we can beat anyone...

We have promising receivers and we'll have to see how QP turns out, but runningback recruiting has been a tremendous let down.

Free Hugh

I totally agree, we don't totally fit in with the rest of that crew. but my feeling is we're making progress so that perception may change in the next few years and we do fit in.

How did LOLUVA land this kid?

I think it's time I take a vacation from San Francisco and go visit my parents in Cincinnati and have a talk with this kid...

It's not tweeting at him, it's ok.

/sssssssssssoI'dBeDoingHimAFavor :)

LETS FLIP HIM BOYS

Watch his highlights and see if you still want him. I haven't been able to find anything about anyone recruiting this guy since last year and no one seemed all that upset about him going to UVA.

Long story short: He might have an A. Brown type of career if he's lucky. I just don't see big-time football ability in what's supposed to be his best efforts.

Aaron Brown? Also a Cincinnati guy and went to my high school, a competing school of this fella.

Andrew Brown at UVA. Highly touted, didn't do much but had a few flashes late in his career.

A westsider??? Surprised you ever left

Don't think I'm a west sider and that seems pretty insulting to half the people of Cincinnati...

Walnut Hills HS is a mile from my house and most definitely not on the west side. Also, I would not call that insulting as all the west side folks are very proud of their neighborhood and most move back or end up living blocks from where they grew up. Tight knit communities over there on the west side.

Plan for the worst and hope for the best, not the other way around.

They are, I just didn't think it was a positive imolication that "West siders of Cincinnati" never leave their own town.

Funny thing...I was born and raised in Madeira and Sharonville, I didn't even know there was a west side east side distinction until after my Hokie years haha...maybe I am a west sider? I'm still unclear if the "line." That's probably
My other issue with it... to draw a line and just make assumptions about everyone across whatever arbitrary line that is seems pretty icky to me.

Also from Cincy and grew up on the east side. I was talking about Colrain (which is where I thought Aaron Brown went), not Walnut. It was just and east/westside joke - not insulting, I think more of a badge of honor for those folks.
I had a buddy I worked with once who was a Westsider told me "why would I ever need to go east of 71?" He was joking around, but in my years there, there was definitely a differentiation between the two

Aaron went to Princeton....I don't think he was there during my time. Man we were not good at football when I was there.

Anyway, all Cincinnati folk on here can unite in despising me for being a Steelers fan lol...parents are from PA so I grew up in a Steelers household. :)

No way, another Princeton Viking?!
Class of 2011.

May we all get what we want and never what we deserve.

2004 for me :)

Upvote, all good! I can attest to hearing things like that too

The west side as I know is everything west of 75, south of the 74, inside the 275 loop, and on the Ohio side of the river. Sharonville and Madiera are not west side in most books.

Anyway if you are back in town for a football game weekend, look up the Cincy Hokies on Facebook, we are getting more people out for the games every week.

Plan for the worst and hope for the best, not the other way around.

Yeah I just moved to San Francisco a year ago, but I had been to 1 or 2 of the game watching events in (I think in Hyde Park)...there was a good crew out, glad to hear the chapter is growing!

Wish I knew when I was gonna go back and visit, but the gf and I have about 7-9 (who knows at this point) weddings to attend this year all over the States and Mexico and Colombia (those 2 I'm very much looking forward to).

You mean Colombia right? As in Bogota'.

Lovely country, and not nearly as dangerous as in years past.

VTCC '86 Delta Co., Peru Hokie, Former Naval Aviator, Former FBISA, Forever married to my VT87 girl. Go VT!

Yes, wrote that from my phone, didn't notice, good catch. Edited!

Yup. Hearing the same. Supposedly just uses his strength to over power lesser competitors and received his 4 star rating before people got to actually evaluate in depth.

Mmmmmmm......pie.

Seems like it. He must have just dominated a camp as an underclassman, because even on film he doesn't look overpowering. He just kinda.... gets there eventually.

Bronco landing this kid is good news for us. If he was a 4* from Ohio and OSU wasn't that interested that should say something. The perception is Bronco is turning things around but his avg recruit is still a .8483. Let them think that things are improving because they will still get spanked by us for the foreseeable future.

1-0 every week

Where is there a perception that Bronco is turning it around?

Not in Cville.

Uva's recruiting is better this year than last, they already have 2 top 600 players versus 0 from last year. Plus if those Europeans pan out they could be good. They might have 35 ACC caliber players by this time next year.

I saw some of Jowon Briggs highlights from the 5 star Challenge, I thought he looked pretty decent. I thought he used leverage well and should be able to collapse the pocket.

What do you guys think about this QB? https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/8171028/5a035a2d2ab0450ad0057f13?auto...

I'm not an analyst and don't have much to say about his film, but what I will say is that some of his 1-on-1 stuff from his 247 profile was against the best O lineman in the country. I saw a few clips of him going against Jackson Carman who is a year older and a 5* player. I wouldn't hold it against him if he wasn't getting past that kind of comp.

Heat check is between us, Tennessee, and Illinois.

Possible back to back committments for us. This class could be pretty much wrapped up really soon.

I would say JMU, no one from us follows him on twitter, ranked 33 in VA. No sauces but I would be surprised if his offer is a committable one.

1-0 every week

I'm ok with a walk on too.

But Davidson, Teansue and Vance follow him.

Wet stuff on the red stuff.

Join us in the Key Players Club

JMU

Hey, don't knock it - that's the second-best team in Virginia you're talking about

/sssseriously

the numbers donโ€™t lie and they spell disaster

I'm telling y'all TWEETING @ CROOTS IS IN

(add if applicable) /s

Can't embed tweet, but according to tech lunch pail interview it's down to 4: Tenn, Illinois, UVA and VT @techlunchpaild news is free and not behind a pay wall.

TKPhi Damn Proud
BSME 2009