Tomorrow is National Signing Day. Who's excited?
These guys, as I'm sure every other high school senior about to sign a National Letter of Intent, are. There won't be many surprises tomorrow. Beamer Co. has received verbal commitments from 27 players, two of which: J.C. Coleman and Donaldven Manning have enrolled early. Jawand Blue, who committed to Tech back in July, continues to be recruited hard by his home state Hurricanes.
Three-star OLB Jawand Blue of Boca Raton, Fla., will find out Tuesday if he'll get a scholarship offer from Miami, according to Canesport.com. Blue, 6-0, 215, is committed to Virgina Tech but has been courted by coach Al Golden and his staff in recent weeks and hosted Miami's coaches at his high school last week.
As expected, Blue took his official visit to Tech last weekend, but no one can say for sure what a high school kid will do.
Three uncommitted targets remain for the Hokies: Korren Kirven, Joel Caleb, and Ken Ekanem.
DT Korren Kirven
Choices: VT, Alabama, Tennessee and Maryland
TKP Pick: VT (BCO 60%, Joe 55%)
Announcing: 8:00 AM -- @justinabc13 says he'll Tweet the announcement.
Latest News: Read every last word of Nathan Warters' interview with Kirven, only a couple excerpts are below.
Have you already made a decision? Do you know in your heart what you're going to do?
I wouldn't say I know in my heart yet, but I'm kind of 50-50.
...
And what about Virginia Tech?
Virginia Tech, man, I love that school. Virginia Tech has been with me since the beginning. All the coaches are loyal and great coaches. Coach Stinespring and coach Wiles and coach Beamer. All the coaches are great coaches and they keep it real with you. I've been up there numerous times. I feel comfortable up there. They have a lot to offer. They're always putting players in the pros and stuff. I haven't seen many defensive linemen in the pros from Tech, but if I go there, I think that'll definitely change. Tech is an all-around great school. They're top five in what I want to major in. Also, the football program is top 15 every year. I wouldn't say they run the ACC, but they basically do.
Also, here's what Kirven's coach had to say about where he'll end up.
"He doesn't show his hand," said Larry Kidd, the defensive line coach and athletic director for Brookville High School in Lynchburg, Va. "He's polite to everybody. He listens to everybody and I think he's having trouble telling people 'No'."
Kidd said the recruitment has been a "dog-and-pony show" because Kirven has understandably taken his time. Most Brookville prospects have committed earlier over the years. This longer recruitment has drawn more interest.
WR Joel Caleb
Choices: VT, WVU and Ohio State
TKP Pick: VT (BCO 99%, Joe 90%)
Announcing: 8:30 AM -- TimesDispatch.com will have live coverage of Caleb's announcement starting at 8:20.
Latest News: The Buckeyes have slowly cooled on Caleb and it looks to be a two team race between the Hokies and Cousins (the Black Diamond trophy will not exchange hands).
DE Ken Ekanem
Choices: VT and Notre Dame
TKP Pick: VT (BCO 90%, Joe 99%)
Announcing: 9:00 AM -- WaPo will have live coverage of Ekanem's announcement at 9:00.
Latest News: Notre Dame stopped recruiting Ekanem last week, and we heard he's happy to know his #4 jersey is available for him in Blacksburg.
Roger Gonzalez spoke with Mike Farrell and Brian Mohr of Rivals.com about "The Big Three".
"Caleb, he is a very good athlete," Farrell said. "Physical kid, very strong. He's got big hands, catches the ball well. He looks like the type of receiver that would be tough to tackle."
Mohr likes the versatility of the star recruit and his chances to play early in Blacksburg, especially with the departures of Jarrett Boykin and Danny Coale to graduation. He is expected to play wideout in college.
"Caleb is a very versatile athlete who could play either side of the ball in college," Mohr said. "There's no doubt he'll need to make an adjustment to the receiver spot in college as he hasn't played it in three years, but Caleb has the potential.
"He's got good hands and is a bit of a long strider with a large frame. With time, he could be an impact player and with the need at the receiver spot, it's not impossible to believe he could find a role early if he picks up the offense fast enough."
Andy Bitter's piece "Coaching shake-up at Va. Tech provides a strong recruiting jolt" about Shane Beamer is a terrific read.
As a star running back in Exton, Pa., Drew Harris had scholarship offers from more than 30 schools.
Big-time Southeast programs like Miami, Georgia and South Carolina joined regional ones like Penn State, Pittsburgh, West Virginia and Rutgers in pursuing him.
In early October, Harris announced his intentions to sign with Virginia Tech.
"That was a big recruiting battle that Virginia Tech won," said J.C. Shurburtt, the National Recruiting Director for 247 Sports. "And Shane Beamer won it."
This post will be up top throughout today and tomorrow. Leave any thoughts, predictions, links, etc..., but derogatory comments won't be tolerated.
Comments
My thoughts
First, Ekanem seems to be all but a lock. I just don't see what other school could grab him now. I thought Notre Dame dropped my confidence in getting him down but with them all but out of the picture, how do we lose him?
I think we land Caleb but so does just about everyone from WVU. The little note from Andy Bitter about him convincing Brooks Abbott to walk on makes me think he announces tomorrow that he is coming to Tech. WHy would you convince an All-American to join a school you don't plan to attend? Unless he changed his mind since the U.S. Army game, I don't think he goes to WVU.
As far as Kirven, I honestly think we land him too. That's my head talking. My gut says he has fallen for Nick Saban's charm or the ability to play early at Tennessee. I read the interview that you linked in this post yesterday and again this morning searching for clues. To me, he sounds more giddy about Tech than the others but maybe I am just reaching.
I thought we stood a chance at Jackson Matteo but it seems as if he committed to UVA today. Word was he planned to announce tomorrow but it seems that he couldn't wait. Then again, I'm only trusting a soft verbal.
And for the record, signing day destroys the NFL draft in terms of off-season events. I'm beyond excited for tomorrow!
How many different ways..
can you hashtag Virginia Tech? McKinnon has the answer.
Kirven
These Tweets are both from JC Shurburtt, who is the Recruiting Director for 247Sports.
"#VirginiaTech now making a move back with Korren Kirven- gonna be interesting."
"Hearing #Bama is trending for Korren Kirven"
https://twitter.com/#!/jcshurburtt/status/164479213838155776
https://twitter.com/#!/jcshurburtt/status/164454223872921600
The important thing to take away from this is it's a coin flip.
I thought
The important thing is that JC Shurburtt is making things up as he goes.
actually
he is not.
don't ask me how i know this. i don't know this. i know this.
What he's been saying.
Has been consistent with what we've been hearing behind the scenes, and really what Kirven has said all along, that he's not sure. I wouldn't have posted it otherwise.
And now because I know you were joking I award you one Internet point and this somewhat unrelated gif.
Move Back
What does he mean by a move back?
now ucla has offered
Joshua Stanford.
he is considering.
looks
like a safety at stanford's school just committed to tcu.
these games.
If this is his Twitter (@yoshiJS)...
He RTed these from @UCLAorDIE:
"@yoshiJS #UCLAorDIE #BruinGang be part of #UCLAFam and u will be part of big change and be around NFL coaches! #8clap"
"UCLA fans follow @yoshiJS hopefully he picks us tomarroo!!!!! #UCLAorDIE #BruinGang #UCLASWAG"
He Tweeted himself:
"the recruiting process has been long and filled with ups and downs, but in the end its all worth it"
"the recruiting process has come to an end, im thankful for all the people i met"
"so lids is closed, wont be able to get that UCLA snapback for tomorrow"
https://twitter.com/#!/BruinGang/status/164542304349200385
https://twitter.com/#!/BruinGang/status/164542461413310464
https://twitter.com/#!/yoshiJS/status/164536701337878528
https://twitter.com/#!/yoshiJS/status/164535837311250432
https://twitter.com/#!/yoshiJS/status/164528072878587904
Who knows what any of it means...
His twitter looks like he was trying to go to Lids to get a UCLA hat.
And UCLAorDie is doing nothing but tweeting recruits tonight. Interesting.
Will feel bad for him
if he chooses UCLA. Great basketball school, terrible football school. The stadium is forever away from campus, it's never full, and the students don't care.
Living in SoCal for the past 3 years, there is only two football schools that matter: USC and Oregon. All other PAC-12 schools have pathetic football fans. No passion.
Then again, he should like the weather and girls. Depends, does he like football, or would he prefer the who cares SoCal lifestyle?
Thats what I don't understand. He's a good kid, but to me it sounds like UCLAorDie is taking the Mike London approach. "Be apart of something new" ordeal. Nonetheless, I'm pretty nervous about Kirven. Part of me says yes, part of me says we don't get him. Fingers crossed. First class is at 11 tomorrow, hope I awaken to good news.
Meanwhile, some Michigan 'fan' on YouTube is showing his colors degrading VT. /rant
Looks like on his twitter feed he doesn't know much about them
Would pretty much go against a lot of what you hear is important in recruiting such as building relationships if he just decide to choose UCLA. From this tweet https://twitter.com/#!/yoshiJS/status/164522948126973952 doesn't seem like he knows much about the coaches or the school at all.
Really would like Josh Stanford to join as he would have a great chance to compete for playing time in 2013 imo.
Think he was just getting the UCLA hat for his ceremony to be able to select the hat he wants, hopefully one with a VT.
TCU Rivals says Stanford to Hokies
https://twitter.com/#!/JClarkPM/status/164731872285433856
1 of 3
Lets be real...1 of 3 is what we should truly expect tomorrow. Unless Shane has really stepped up to the plate... and I hope he has.
I have been following recruiting for too many years to not know how signing day usually works out for us...
you aren't being real
but ok. 2 of 3.
Blue's Decision
via @DuseReport760 -- https://twitter.com/#!/DuseReport760/status/164564625143238657
It seems as if
UM still hasn't offered and will only offer if Reggie Northrup flips to FSU. So if Northrup flips from UM to FSU, and Blue flips from VT to UM, then VT should be able to pry a LB from FSU. Sweet, that means VT will get Ukeme Eligwe.
Northrup Flipped
In all likelihood, Blue will get his wish, and stay in S. Florida. Those Hurricanes, oh well, at least they have the late 80s and early 90s...
Looks like he's decommiting and signing with Miami.
Last minute replacements?
So, let's say Blue and Stanford defect. Do the Beamers have any gems, a la Luther Maddy and Dadi Nichols, hidden up their sleeves? What does Atlantic High have to offer this year?
Well, they
Made an F ton of calls and visits the last month to catch up on anyone else they've deemed fit. Im sure those two wouldnt be a total loss.
Kirven to Bama
Fuck Saban and the damn tide.
Painful
These are the losses that are hard to bear. Getting Caleb will make this an easier pill to swallow, but NOTHING is guaranteed.
Definitely
It seemed going in that Kirven was by far the most up for grabs, so I can't say I'm surprised. If we lose Caleb to WVU, or Ekanem to god knows who...that would be deflating to say the least.
Kirven
Congratulations Koren Kirven on your decision.. Now you can go to Alabama and play about 20 snaps your entire career. You will maybe see the field your senior year playing behind truly elite, bigger, faster and stronger defensive lineman. Oh yeah, you probably will get a ring but is that how you want to get it. I fear you will waste your career. Good luck. I truly do wish all VA boys the best. Thats what us country VA boys call pride and not selling out. Philip Sims anyone??????
Edited
Congratulations Koren Kirven on your decision..
Now you can go to Alabama and play about 20 snaps your entire career. You will maybe see the field your senior year playing behind truly elite, bigger, faster and stronger defensive lineman. Oh yeah, you probably will get a ring but is that how you want to get it. I fear you will waste your career.Good luck. I truly do wish all VA boys the best.Thats what us country VA boys call pride and not selling out. Philip Sims anyone??????1) How many 18-year-old kids are going to turn down Saban, the rings, and the NFL. He doesn't lose many recruiting battles.
2) We have a ton of depth along the defensive line. It was a miss for sure, but it's not a position of need for this class.
3) While you, and I'm sure a lot of other Hokies are going to be pissed, just wish Kirven (or any other kid) the best. They've earned it. Oversigning jokes aside, how many kids get a scholarship to Tech, Bama, or any other school? Very few. They're making a decision that they think is best for them and their families, and while you or anyone else may disagree, it's ultimately their choice and should be respected.
Whole heartily agree
While everyone wants every 4 or 5 star recruit to come to there school the reality is not everyone is going to pick you school, it makes no sense to project that a kid will not be a star at another school yet be a star at VT.
Twitter says Caleb is a Hokie
Can't confirm yet though.
Edited?
I absolutely wish him the best. If you noticed the last sentences of the rant. While disappointed I am a grown man who does not hate on any of these kids. Again I wish every kid from VA success whether they sign with JMU, Ferrum, VT or UCLA. While I do think that Kirven decision was the wrong one ultimately it was his decision to make. It just eats at me these kids that are ranked as high as he was leave the state every year. VT will never become elite until we keep these kids at home. Either way I will still bleed orange and maroon and be in the stands. I think you read a little too much into it. Kirven would absolutely be a major contributor in our program but at Bama I'm afraid he wil be stuck in the depth chart and rarely see the field. I follow all my local high school kids and pull for them. I wish VT would offer Harvey Taylor a walk on. Again anyone else who read that anyone other way but disappointment, I wish all Va kids nothing but success.
never see the depth chart
How do you know that. Kid could end up being a stud. We wished it with us but its the way of the world. It further reflects poorly on our program saying he's not good enough for 'Bama yet would be an immediate impact at VT. Is our line that bad? I think not. We had a top 20 defense last year thanks to the talent the coaches scout and develop.
Immediate impact?
Where did you see that in anything I said. I think we have a great defensive line. I dont think it's a good as Bama's. That's my opinion maybe not yours. AGAIN like I said I wish nothing but the best for any of these VA kids. Actually no one knows that but yes I have seen him play and he is great. I do actually think Nigel Willams might end up being better but again THAT is my opinion as well. Whatever you read that made you think I hate the kid or that he is terrible for not choosing VT that is not the case at all. It was a rant in my opinion and that was all.
Ekanem is a Hokie
Although this one seemed the most certain, this is looking like a strong class. Agree that Kirven is the least "needed" although his talent is undeniable. 2013 (assuming Logan stays) is certainly a "sky is the limit" type of year.
My big hope is that Caleb's injury isn't too serious and he can step in right away at WR. I am concerned that we have so many Sr wideouts with no proven heir-apparents.
2013
All we have to do is face Kirven and the Crimson Tide in Atlanta to start the season...again. :-\
2009
Hey, 2009 was a damn close game until Ingram wore us down in the 4th quarter. Plus, Tyrod hadn't developed completely as a QB by that point, the O-Line was abysmal and RW was just getting his legs under him.
That's exactly what I remember
That is pretty much how I remember it. What beat us was the fact our offense couldn't move the ball on their defense minus the third quarter and that our defense simply gassed out. I wouldn't go as far as to say that Tyrod wasn't developed as a QB (see Nebraska game and the entirety of the season) but it was that we didn't get that gigantic play that our offense needed to get on track. Biggest plays were on defense and the RMFW touchdown run when we were already down late. Their defense was suffocating that year.
That being said, I wish Kirven nothing but the best at 'Bama. He fits the mold for a Saban d-lineman; however, we need to contain him in 2013 if he is starting. Here's to hoping the o-line guys are as good as advertised!
true on all points except ru.
dude kept us in that game and had possibly his best run of his career when he dove in for the td. #HOKIES
I meant it was his first game. He did have a rookie mistake on the muffed punt. I wasn't devaluing his performance in that game, just to clear that up.
no team
gets EVERY player that they want .. bama wanted winston BAD but they're not getting him .. it's hurts because kirven is so close to home --- but it is what it is. we got 2 out of those 3 with caleb being the biggest NEED that we have .. ekanem is just the sweet cherry on top
fwiw -- i think kirven's injury is the most serious of them all .. with caleb's being the least serious. i honestly think that caleb and/or stanford have the chance to play next season (but i doubt either will).
Official Announcements here
http://www.hokiesports.com/football/2012recruits/
Did not see Caleb on the list yet.
Not posted
They don't post names until they receive the signed letter-of-intent. No reason to worry.
Saw the other Post in Recruiting Forum
He's a Hokie!
I agree
It will be very hard for him to get a great push off that leg. That is probably the worst area (below the waist) for a defensive lineman to have a serious injury (broken bones) (torn ligaments). A lineman needs that lower body explosion coming of the ball. I saw an article that said he would be able to put weight on it this week but if he rushes it could linger and affect him throughout his career. I agree this is a great class assuming we sign all these guys. Great job recruiting by these coaches. As for the big 3, in my opinion if I had to miss out on 1 it would have been Kirven due to the depth and talent coming up. Williams should keep our mind off of Kirven. Caleb was huge. Ekanem was sweet. I am giddy about Edmunds.
Stanford Sighting
Jeremy Clarke at Rivals reporting Stanford will sign LOI with..... (drum roll): Virginia Tech. Another great receiver signing as well if correct.
No LOI from Jarontay Jones yet
Should I be nervous?
He is signed
No worries.
Feeling Good
For the first time in a long time... I am very happy with this class. Great work from the coaching staff and also a great job by all the fans that always support the Hokies and create the atmosphere that these young guys are excited to play in front of.
I was thinking we might not get Kirven since Bama recruiters could flash that brand new Bling in his face. I really was scared that WVU would get Caleb. I figured Ekanem would be a shoe-in. Glad we landed 2 of 3.
ITS NICE TO FEEL GOOD ABOUT FOOTBALL AGAIN...215 days until Kick-off.
Solid Class
Reverses the recent trend of losing too many good recruits. Changes have been positive. Hopefully leads to even more success on the field.
Blue decommitted, then this happened.
Blue Decommit
Does Blue's decommit open up a scholarship for one of our greyshirt offers? It could be nice to have an Augie Conte, Jerome Wright, or Thomas Smith on campus in the strength program?
I believe so
It adds flexibility to our limit. Im not sure about bringing Jerome in early though. Thatd be 4 RB's in this class alone haha.
If that is the
case I would like to see them bring in Smith he reminds me a lot of Kam Chancellor size wise and with the flexibility of positions.
Jerome
True, if he plays RB. I would love to see him beating dudes up from the Mike spot in a few years.
Commitments
Appears we lost only one commitment in Blue. We picked up 2 of 3 uncommited on signing day. That is a positive development. I'm sure the coaches are pretty satisfied.
Commitments
Certainly beats the hell out of last year haha
very true...shane definitely earned his paycheck!!
I'm content. Now I really hope all of this translates to more on field success.
Otherwise, today was kind of shitty.
The saddest part of that whole twitter timeline was that Ja Wand Blue didn't know how to use a fax machine #HarvardOfTheSouth