Discuss and share any Virginia Tech related recruiting topics from May 2020 that don't warrant their own thread
This recruiting thread is used to share information regarding VT-specific targets, including PWOs, scholarship offers, visits, camps, and general news pertaining to those targets.
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Comments
edit: added a link to the 2021 Unofficial Big Board (google sheet)
June 2020 247 Embeds:
(not exhaustive, and no particular order):
Tyleik Williams should be added to this based on the comments made recently at the bottom of this thread. If nothing else, we are in strong pursuit of him.
48 h from when he tweeted would be roughly 1:30 this afternoon. Lots of retweeting from current players and commits. Not clear if he's going to commit, announce a top 3/5 etc, or what.
Would be a nice get. He's a high 3-star, could be a 4-star guy. Good Size for a safety
he'll likely wind up a consensus 4*. ESPN doesn't have a rating for him that i can find. Rivals only has him at 5.5, which is a low 3*. 247 has him as a 93-rated 4*
Top 5. 7 tonight
Top 5 of Florida, Oklahoma, Oregon, TAMU and VT.
Nice company to be in. Real compliment to VT.
It was an awesome graphic too!
Yea, can't embed on mobile but it was super slick!
We have a good shot. Dude loooooves Lino
It's between Va tech and Florida and Florida has a slight lead on us
I like the 1s but I love the 4s....I wish VT were the 4s.....lol
We need some VT color 11's I would buy multiple pairs
11s are #2 on my list....but if I saw the Chicago Maroon patent leather I probably would be $200 poorer....
Hokies have the best chance. There's more Hokiebirds in the claw machine than any other school!
Jordan Poole - Potential commit date 6/19
Nice.
If I had a crystal ball prediction, right now it would be NC State with a lot of confidence.
I think Poole has pushed his commit date back a couple of weeks. IN MY OPINION, I think this is good for VT.
lol... stating a new fact and then an analysis of that fact is enough. The point of the IMO comments, i believe is that there are a few posters on here who seem to consistently have insider information and do post cryptic comments because they sources but can't say more. So when someone who doesn't have a consistent track record of this posts a cryptic post declaring a change in a recruits position with tech, we are obviously curious whether they have insider information they can't be specific on or whether it was an opinion based on public information.
EDIT: Also to clarify this IMO
I agree.
NC State recently offered Cox LB Isi Etute. Not sure what this means on the Jordan Poole front but have to think they're hedging their bets a little.
Confirmed July 1 commit date. I think it's between NC State, South Carolina, Virginia Tech
My sauces have confirmed that even if he commits, the earliest he will make his final decision and sign with a school is December 18.
Seriously though I'm just busting your chops. I appreciate the info you provide and even like that you go out on a limb to add some personal insight and opinion. More often than not, the writing is on the wall prior to a commitment, whether we want to accept that or not.
I am cautiously optimistic on Poole, seems VT has made some ground up. Really think this is a two horse race. Not hearing any SC buzz
'cautiously optimistic: a VT fan's memoir'
in stores...next year
I absolutely love this comment.
Weird that this copied twice instead of editing. Lol
I absolutely love this comment.
He's a Hokie from what I'm hearing. As a credible recruiting source (I'm not a credible source).
Definitely some VT buzz at the moment.
What you got? Any timeline?
I think he originally wanted to commit yesterday rather than putting out a top 3, but I don't see it dragging out much longer.
Like I said, confidence has been slowly growing on VT's side, but that could just be a ploy to raise suspense for his decision. He's been seen as a hard NC state lean for a long time and he has some family connections there, so half of me thinks it would be really hard for us to overcome that. But the other half of me is getting some serious JR Walker vibes.
Love it.
Yep. At the end of the day, I think we will put together a pretty solid class in the defensive side of the ball. There are a few highly rated guys that we sit very well with. Just need to close on a couple of them.
I'd have to imagine this recruitment of McNeil is pretty interesting. I know Wiles supposedly almost got his brother to Tech because of the relationship with the family. Now, you have Wiles with the Wolfpack trying to pull there and us and the folks that replaced him trying to pull here. This one probably is being worked extra hard by both sides for this kid.
I think VT can sell Poole on him being the gem of the class right now and that's a selling point. Him not committing yesterday was big for VT.
Do we know what position he'd play for us? I see RB on his profile as well as athlete, but thought I'd heard linebacker and Claeys is one of his recruiters.
Edit: I see on the unofficial big board he's listed as LB, so assuming that's what he'd play.
LB probably outside
I see him as more of a Mike
Yep, fills directly into that Ashby role and I think that's part of the sell for VT too
The NC State folks that I know down here who do have real sources are a 50/50 split on confidence with Poole. Pretty sure VT had the last zoom call with Poole, which I think is akin to having the last visit.
Poole is pretty much decided and the tone does sound like it's us or NC State.
Looking at LB roster, feel like VT Has a easier path to playing time
Steve Wiltfong of 247 says it's probably between us and NC State for Jordan Poole, but his gut is with Virginia Tech.
Also says he envisions Donovan McMillon landing at Virginia Tech, Florida, or Texas A&M.
Interesting, the NC State guys seem to think SC is more in it then people think and it's between SC and NC State.
VT in that hip pocket
interestingly enough, his top-11 only omits Tennessee and Missouri from the 12 P5 programs who have offered him (per 247), but they don't report a MSU offer -- good reminder that it's not perfect
Is Oregon just offering every prospect in the country?
247 has them at 233 offers from 35 states, including DC.
For comparison, we have 312 offers to 28 states, including DC
Thanks for looking this up...just seems like Oregon is on more of our targets list this year than all years prior combined. That's a LONG way away from the mid-Atlantic...shouldn't they stick to trying to poach the talent in California from under USC's nose?
Quack is whack
Oregon and VT are both highly targeting Texas (26/48), Georgia (16/33), and Florida (32/37), as all 3 are in the top 4 of both schools' offer numbers. Stretch that out to top 10 and you add in Alabama (8/13), North Carolina (8/37), Pennsylvania (6/16), and Maryland (7/23). The only top 10 states Oregon targets that VT hasn't as heavily are California (46/6), Mississippi (7/0), and Arizona (9/0), while VT's includes Virginia (30/3), Tennessee (14/5), and South Carolina (13/1).
Additionally, our extra offers are going towards WRs, RBs, DL, and ST
Is this Alim's brother?
Yes
As said above, yes, and VT will be working in the headwinds of a great relationship between the family and Charlie Wiles. People don't realize how close VT was to landing Alim. Wiles & Gibson will make a tough tag team to beat.
I really liked Alim coming out of high school. He was a great prospect, and he's very productive for the Wolf Pack.
In olympic sports recruiting news. The men's tennis team signed the 17th best class of 2020 and the women's tennis team signed the 13th best class
we offered him about a month ago
That's a hell of a top list for a middle 3* prospect. What's the scoop on this kid?
He's already 6'4" and 245lbs is probably the scoop.
What's his 40 time?
us and lolUVA only two P5 offers
Nice! Just down the road from me in Winchester. That's some ideal size for a versatile player.
Gimme plz
great. now this "gimme" kid is going to commit to Pedo State.
Excuse me?
it's a joke. When someone says [recruit's name] pls, that recruit commits somewhere else. You said "gimme plz" so I'm saying whoever this "gimme" kid is is sure to commit to Pedo State or some other such big dog. sigh.
I don't want to get way into this but I think the "Pedo State" stuff can be retired. I'm not an authority on the matter but it seems flippant and disrespectful to victims of a very serious crime. A little bit out of bounds for playful college sports ribbing in my opinion.
I can certainly understand that angle. I am willing to accept any suggestions for another way of making sure their football program is never known for anything other than the pedophile protecting/excusing cult it is.
Deleting original comment. Wrong time, wrong thread.
I don't think people are joking about Brian Kelley being responsible for a death; they are reminding people that Brian Kelley doesn't give a fuck about anything other than winning. He literally asked a kid to put his life in danger so he could get an extra 2 hours of practice footage. And then the kid dies. And then Notre Dame does nothing. At least Penn State got rid of everyone mildly responsible. They are literally employing someone who is directly responsible for a kid's death.
Yup. We don't need to litigate those posts here (not you specifically). Sometimes they're jokes for easy legs, sometimes they serve a bigger purpose. I'd like to think we're better than cheap joking about weighty matters.
What? His actions directly caused someone to die.
"Serious accusation out of step with criminal justice records"
Oh so someone has to give you permission to agree that it was bad.
Stop pls
Ok, I said it slightly rude. It's still a legitimate point
I just don't think much is going to come from trying to have this specific conversation in this particular setting
Sure
We don't need to discuss it, Indiana OSHA already found ND at fault.
Agree and agree. Wrong time, wrong thread (my bad), and an OSHA violation. Thankfully no ND week this fall to rekindle this.
A little workout clip from a few weeks back. Love this guys versatility.
Hopefully this kid can be the Hokies Isiah Simmons. Simmons came in at 6'3 205. Keli is 6'4 200. Both 3 star, granted Simmons was .87 and Lawson is .83. By the work out video one could hope/dream
Serious question, in the world of recruiting ratings...how big of a gap is .04?
No idea, but I put it in there because I assumed if I didn't someone would have to point out Simmons was a high 3 star and lawson is a low 3 star. Hopefully someone can answer that question because I would like to know what the difference is.
As a high .8366, Lawson is 1257th in the country. .8700 would be the 550th ranked player. .9100 is the 239th ranked player. So it depends, but the lower the rankings get the bigger the difference.
The bigger the difference numerically. In practice though, I'd argue the difference gets smaller as you go down the ladder.
So, the difference in talent level and potential between #50 and #250 is bigger than the difference between #500 and # 1000.
He better jump on that offer ASAP
We got the German OL!!! at work, can't tweet! Woo!!
Tired: Beef
Wired: Brats
What Paul Alexander said:
I like the cut of his jib
247 Profile has been updated with a rating now for whatever that is worth.
[247 rates him a 2 star]
Yep..the most Virginia Tech thing to happen
Speculation on whether this is based on legit scouting or just cursory international kid ranking
Has anyone heard anything on the recruitment of Yosef Mugharbil? I know he holds a VT offer and I don't think anyone knows anything about his recruiting. He's a French OL wetdream, guy can mash
Last I heard he was hoping for more SEC offers (got UF offer in April) but if not VT and State are probably the 2 pushing the hardest. I'm hoping we can somehow land him to go along with the German kid at Guard, and get Pounds and Kimo at OT. One can dream
I don't think Pounds ends up in the ACC. That's my hunch right now based on what I'm hearing in NC
He's going SEC 99/100
You can cross Yosef Mugharbil off your VT recruiting list
Auburn, Clemson, Georgia - Not offered yet
NC State, Louisville, Duke, UNC, Wake - All offered
Cross off why? Did he put out something saying we're not in it?
You've posted two such messages that lacked any backing information. Just saying, cross them off.
My opinion is VT will not be a factor going forward.
That's your opinion.
Based on what?
What I'm getting at is we're getting these cryptic posts telling us there is no hope, but no supporting information as to why? The only answers we have are from random googling after your post. But, if you have information to support the post, why not share it rather than causing us to go off clicking other sites?
I'd say OR caveat your cryptic message with "just opinion, no sources.."
Yeah, sorry, wasn't meant to be cryptic, I thought people would assume it was opinion.
Probably best to avoid telling us to mark a recruit off the list off a hunch.
NC State, Duke, VT in that order imo
You can cross dave off your list of informed recruiting sources
Sure, I base my opinion by what i've seen and who i've talked to in NC. It's fine. I'll stop trying to get information and forming an opinion. Seems like everyone's upset about it. Didn't mean to do that, just trying to provide some more information on targets, whether good or bad
All you need to do is say it's an opinion based on observation and discussion with people who are in the know. That is sufficient. The two original posts just came off snarky given the recent climate on this board and their brevity.
Well certainly not my intention.
Tech got two crystal ball predictions for 3* Keli Lawson; one from Brian Dohn and the other from Evan Watkins. . 6'4 200lb ATH from Sherando.
I'm here for all the Dawain Lofton/ Dwayne Lawson jokes
did we hire his high school coach as a quality control analyst?
Mike Tyson thinks Dwayne Lawson and Da'Wain Lofton are pronounced the same way
Mike Tyson think Dwayne Lawson and Da'Wain Lofton are pronounced the same way
That's hilarious!
Kevin
2nd P5 offer
I'm liking some of these 3-star guys, very athletic and could be used in multiple positions. At one point in the late 90 and 2000s, we would get 3 stars and turn them into major contributors or even 5-stars by the time they left. The development aspect of these players was highly touted by Beamer and Hite, one thing in those days was almost every player went through a redshirt where the developed in size and learning the game.
With early playing time being the catalyst along with the transfer portal, its really hard in today's game to ask someone to sit a year. I mean our 4-Star WR from the 2019 Class (Jacoby Pinckney) transfers after just one year. Its hard to watch that. Also the transferring in and out disrupts the team building and chemistry, there is no rhythm and cohesiveness.
I'm looking forward to seeing how these guys develop.
I don't buy this for a second.
*The lowest rated of our three 4* WR from the 2019 class.
Think it's between VT and Louisville, with Louisville possibly in the lead because his father played there.
Think he would be an underrated pickup for us. I also, like you believe he is starting to lean more towards Louisville.
Dad played there I believe
yeah, I think I remember reading about that somewhere
TJ Quinn to Louisville
Question. How has lord botetourt have all these really good OL's lately?
(Discourse pls)
Saw that, we're going a different route, right?
Correct
yup, wouldn't expect it to be us
What is our different route?
Tahj Bullock
class of 22, first offer
https://www.maxpreps.com/athlete/jaylen-geter/CJz2dsBfEeiAxKkkK9HIDg/def...
I believe there is a Sergio Render connection (brother?) with this kid, which can't hurt
Evan Watkins dropped this gif last night on Twitter for what it's worth (figured it's not worth an embed).
Maybe some good news at noon.
Looks like he tweeted last week that he would be announcing his final 6 this week. Still hoping for a surprise commitment, that'd be sweet
His primary recruiters have been Justin Hamilton and Darryl Tapp. With LSU, UMD, and PSU as the other highly interested 'warm' offers, this will definitely provide some insight into:
1. JH and DT recruiting skills - i.e. the salesmanship
2. Breathing some life back into the '757 to VT' pipeline
3. Further show what the new D may look like based on the type of personnel the defensive staff is able to sell the vision to
My original guess was LSU based on previous social media comments, the current squishy confidence level of his CB outlook on 247, and our recent string of luck. However, if there is one glimmer of hope, it's that those involved on the defensive side are in theory, the most charismatic salesmen on the entire staff.
Wait and see.
Recently saw some chatter about how he might not be a take for LSU though maybe that stance has changed/will change.
As of right now he's not a take at LSU
Evan put in a prediction for CB Donald Johnson from the university of iowa so that's probably what the tweet was for
Anyone else feel weird about Shift+F5 ing a kids twitter feed?
Gotta say though, not a fan of the fact an LSU Edit account made the video for him. Don't want to look into that too much, but...
Read through his posts and it is hard to not come away thinking he is leaning LSU.
If LSU would take him he would already be committed.
Correct and I don't see that happening. VT/PITT battle imo. Maybe PSU if they continue missing on their top targets if a spot opens up. If he holds to announcing next month like he says he is then I think it's VT, unless we get a couple more commits in between now and then
Im hearing the same thing
Probably why he said he and Leigh were going to same school
Final Six
VT
Pitt
Penn St
LSU
Tenn
Miami
edit: drink, got me by 28 seconds
We just picked up two CB's for QB Tahj Bullock from Evan Watkins and Brian Dohn.
Looks like the percentage in that little 247 thing is shifting our way
That receiver #11 he's throwing to is a beast. We should probably be offering him as well!
They also come with a confidence scale from 1-10 and they had an 8 for these balls.
Edit: Matej added a 3rd 8 ball
Those are some confident balls.
Magic 8 ball?
Three 8 balls! That has me amped up and bouncing off the walls!
The confidence scale is ridiculous. I have seen CB's with confidence of 1.....how can you predict something if you're confidence level is 1 on a scale of 1-10.
Most of the 1's I've seen have been people that have previously had a higher number prediction and then lowered it down to 1 once they hear something else but don't know where to put it. I think they did away with the cloudy feature
Highlights look like his HS offense was designed by Fuente himself.
I had the same thought. He seems like a great fit scheme wise. Getting a guy who fits the system who also happens to be a top 20 dual threat QB seems like a pretty good recovery after getting jilted like we did.
woah long time no see, good to see ya around
(Jim Ross voice): By Gawd, that's 3rd and 31's music!
Jerod Evans 2.0?
Curious if that offense works any better at the HS level than it does at the P5 level.....
Did I miss where Fuente's scheme suddenly doesn't put up points this offseason or are fans just used to complaining?
23 ppg average in five losses, only one of the 5 was a ranked team. Hoping there is more points production on a consistent basis in year two with HH at QB.
30 points per game in the two losses that Hendon Hooker actually started though. Outside of an opener we blew on multiple interceptions and a punt fumble and a one point loss to Notre Dame with the third QB to start the season without him... it's almost like we have the same conversation about pain and potential on this site.
I sense a rallying of support for the Cornelsen offense.
This deserves a bigger breakdown
Just in the losses:
19 ppg with Willis as starter
20 ppg with QP as starter (1 game)
30 ppg with HH as starter
For the season:
23.25 ppg w/ Willis (with two opponents being ODU and Furman)
20 ppg w/ QP (against ND)
36 ppg w/ Hooker
This whole tangent is for the discourse thread but I have done a game by game breakdown addressing our offenses struggles against P5 competition in the scoring department since 2016. If I need to dig it up, in the discourse thread (not here), I would be happy to do so.
Though I will say it was done before Hooker became our starting QB, where we finally saw a QB's skill set fit our offense for the first time in a manner similar to 2016.
I think that last point is key. RW threw too many interceptions to really trust a pass heavy offense, and while he had some good runs, he wasn't the type to be able to make a team pay every time he ran it. I think our O-line has also (slowly) getting better and seem to be bringing in talent which will help as well. And we seem to be bringing in talent at RB (at least King, Gary, and the transfers in). Our defense improving will also help - better to start your offense mid-field rather than deep in your own territory every time. And sorry if this belongs in the discourse.
Up to five CBs for Bullock; two more from Clint Brewster and Tyler Calvaruso
Looking like a good weekend coming up for the hokies😃😎
Good recruiting news is highly addictive, please give us another fix.
We need it
Any update to this?
O'Mega Blake with 6 CBs to USCe in the last day
naquan brown sets a commitment date of july 1, gotta think that is a good sign for VT's chances but who knows any more
I have no insider info, but I'm not holding my breath. I hope to be pleasantly surprised.
He moved the date up, right? He sounds awfully high on LSU. Did they tell him he's a take now?
It's looked like LSU for a few weeks now. Tech is in a close second but I'm not super optimistic. Much more likely that Tech lands Landyn Watson.
via GIPHY
via GIPHY
His ht/wt measurables suggest a move to ILB for most top programs nowadays, like LSU. We're seeing more of those undersized edge guys get recruited as ILB types. Demouy Kennedy last class, Barrett Carter who just committed to Clemson, Deontae Lawson who committed to Bama and is projected at ILB, and now maybe Naquan takes a similar route. All of those guys played as edge defender OLB's or DE's in HS.
Not sure I agree with this.
Comment has more to do with Watson than it does with Naquan. NB's decision is entirely based on whether or not LSU will take him. If they don't, then VT is a safe bet. I don't think Watson ends up at VT.
Yes, if he is an LSU take, he is not coming here.
Awesome, he'll commit to the good guys. Once LSU's class doesn't shape up the way they want, they'll call him up and he'll flip. I seen this movie before.
100%
LSU has two 4* DE and is very much in it for the #1 player in the country, who is a DE. I think they'll be ok
Watson is a big loss for someone who has slidden down in the ratings, got processed by LSU, and whose top-6 was Cal, Tennessee, Arkansas, TCU, Arizona State, and VT after being so pro-VT for a while.
Change of heart on his end with Neville and Davis landing elsewhere?
Lot of chatter don't know how true it is yet but we may see a HAND full of players from Texas end up at ASU and D. Davis may be one of them
Wow. Their academics must be incredible.
Not if you ask an Arizona Alum... They're almost as bad as UVa.
I got your joke, btw. Just can't miss an opportunity to bash two snobby sets of alumni.
Well, ASU did start out as a community college. Man, that Herm Edwards has some serious charisma to pull in such top Texas talent /s
Incredible charisma has always been the well-known draw to ASU.
Went to ASU for grad school. Photo is 100% verified!
I want to start out by saying I love VT, however ASU is a school that makes a lot of sense for high school age kids, Nice area, nice weather, pretty girls, beautiful campus and environment, one of the biggest party schools in college, and then throw on top of that they have Herm Edwards and a really good up and coming staff.
Firm for Herm
UwU
If Davis was serious about wanting to play against top talent, I'm not sure PAC-12 is it. While the coastal may not be hot, we usually have at least 1 good non-conference opponent per year and if Tech wins the coastal, we're likely to go against Clemson who is seemingly a perennial national championship contender. It's a crap shoot if even 1 team will make it to the playoffs in the PAC-12.
Orrrrr - it could be all about the academics. /s
Davis doesn't know what he wants.
Go ahead and cross Travali Price off any list you were keeping of potential recruits.
We pursuing other DE's harder or is he a major NC State lean?
Tennessee, UNC, Duke, NC State, Virginia, South Carolina.
Uva🤢
Hasn't been updated on 247 yet, but Matej Sis is reporting that former 3* WR Dillon Spalding is joining VT as a walk-on. Formerly signed to WVU before transferring to JMU last season. He never played at JMU, leaving the program due to a "career ending hip injury" before the season opener.
Wasn't he a top 100 prospect at one point?
Not that I can tell -- recruiting profile on 247 shows historical eval rating in the 88 range
2018 #14 player in Virginia
Rumblings we have a commitment per Twitterverse, have not seen any announcement as of yet, but if it's Tahjamel Bullock, I'll be doing a happy dance
Maybe he's a silent commit...
Silent Commit Pls...
SilentCommit Pls..fixed it for you...Silent means they have told coaches I'd commit but I'm keeping it silent aka I'm waiting to see if other offers come in before I make it public.Really liking TB. It's nice to have a QB with that height and athleticism, and it seems like he wants to go to work.
Hoping we can change this commentary. https://www.pilotonline.com/sports/college/virginia-tech/vp-sp-hokies-uv...
Great share, but maybe move to discourse thread?
EDIT: Now that I'm reading, I think this deserves it's own thread.
I wanted to but don't think I have enough status to post my own topic. Anyone want to give me some legs so I can post? :)
Yeah, I read this yesterday. Not good.
I actually couldn't tell how much of it is 'not good' vs. a couple high school coaches who are salty because their kids aren't getting P5 offers. Also curious how much the data backs this up. Anyways - there's lots of nuance to this discussion, hence why I believe it needs its own thread.
Yeah what sucks is this is out for the world to read and be used against us. Whether or not it is even founded in fact carriers little to no weight.
This is the social media world we live in today. It is pretty clear in my opinion we are struggling with recruiting. I wish I knew what the magic bullet is.
This. And a willing accomplice dusting off a tried & true to generate clicks in an otherwise glacial sports news environment.
Not sure how I feel about this TBH. The player the coach was talking about wasn't rated.
NOT saying that he isn't an amazing player BUT can you imagine how sour our fan base would have been had we offered this young man purely based on the information (or lack-thereof) on his 247 profile? I agree that the old regime placed an emphasis on building relationships with in-state coaches to find diamonds in the rough. This could have definitely been one of those cases where we could have gotten a steal of a player that turned into a multi-year contributor or starter for us. However, as has been discussed at length around here, we only have X amount of resources to spend on scouting and recruiting. Should we pull some of those limited (read: less than we need) resources into finding these diamonds in the rough or would we rather they focus on players with the statistically higher hit rates? Whether we are closing on those higher rated guys is a whole different discussion but I think we have come to the consensus that in order to be competitive with the big dogs we have to pull recruits at least closer to the big dogs (let's be real and say that we will never pull in the 5 stars at the same rate as the established powers). I would rather we swing for the fences even if we are missing rather than bunt it. This may prove to us that the current staff or maybe our resources are not good enough to get us where we are trying to go but we have to at least try.
TL;DR - I think we need more recruiting resources to help keep relationships up with the local coaches and find the diamonds in the rough while plugging a substantial portion of our efforts into pulling in those high star recruits. I think it's obvious that both are needed in order to balance out a team but is difficult to do without the staff and funds
How we feeling bout this one fellas?
I have no sources but I'll be honest I'm feeling pretty damn good
Do we have a time for his commitment?
20 minutes ago
https://www.thekeyplay.com/content/2020/june/17/tahj-bullock-qb-commits-...
Yeah, refreshed the tracker right after I posted the question and saw the article.
30 minutes ago
Edit: well its past noon so I'll have myself a drink
July 2 is going to be a great day for one university! #commitmentday https://t.co/X9jUJcOXYv— Coach McGowens (@coachmcgowens18) June 17, 2020 " target="_blank">
Just got a CB from Evan Watkins too.
Guessing we heated back up on him after the Neville decommitment? Two very different body types though.
Correct
Top 9 for Cole Nelson
Georgia players, yes, yes, yes
Diego Pounds - This is from a source: Wants to go out of state, is most likely looking at LSU, Penn State, Alabama, Auburn, Oregon, Florida. COVID has affected his ability to visit. If he still wants to go out of state, VT could slide in potentially as a more local option. But for now, not hearing a lot about VT.
High confidence CB from Evan fresh off an offer. People talk a lot about recruiting the 75, but I'm excited to get traction with a kid from the 95 corridor. SO many misses.
That's great. Nice to see a player show that kind of excitement at a VT offer and I'm hoping we land some more in-state people.
Pitt recruiting guy put a confidence level of 10 "Lock" to Pitt just last month too. Ouch.
That was before the Big Dogs™️ offered :^)
All CAPS! He's 1000% committed. /s
Confident Balls!
AllHokies spoke with Shawn a couple days ago.
No rush to make a decision but you have to like the childhood connection and being openly willing to play whatever position Tech's coaches want him.
Looks like McMillon may be getting the Bullock treatment this weekend.
OU landed a higher rated DE in Nathan Rawlins-Kibonge. Hopefully it helps us with Gilliam.
Certainly can't hurt, that brings them to 3 DEs total in this class as well.
Helps PSU more than us
The 'ol double big dogged. Farts. Double farts.
Michael Gonzalez to Louisville
Love this, awesome stuff by Carroll. Nice graphic, too! Always happy when our recruits recruit!
Hopefully Tech can keep this graphics guy when an SEC team comes calling.
6th reported P5 offer, 757
Is it me, or Isi Etute?
Etute, Brute?
Underrated comment. Made me laugh out loud. Leg
6'3 ILB....yes pls....🙏🏽
Somewhat unrelated, but Chris Anderson is a complete homer. Sometimes I forget he works for 247 and not some WVU fan site.
Whoever doesn't end up with Poole is where he will go
You really sold me on Poole but... I love this guy's name so much.
Independent of each other. Could very easily see us getting both.
For instance, Evan Watkins and Matej Sis* just gave us a crystal ball for Isi Etute. Considering the WVU reporter who gave Etute a CB a while ago has like a 60% hit rate, I'd definitely say we're in this. Etute also just set his commitment date as July 11th.*
I'd love to see VT bring in as many guys as possible, especially with how difficult COVID is going to make evaluating players. This guys is big, he's athletic according to some of his top end track stats. Could turn out well for us.
If the WVU reporter you're referring to is Chris Anderson, definitely just ignore him. He's a total homer.
VT is probably only taking one more LB in this class. I don't think both is in play
We'll take two if it's the right two, aka Isi and Poole. Trust me.
Well this didn't age well, Poole is pushing back his commitment again, but I think that's good for VT.
Did you see this somewhere? Haven't heard that
From my buddy who follows NC State recruiting.
Hey dave we'll take both if they commit 😃
I am getting worried tho maybe poole pushed his commitment date cause FSU is entering the mix
While it is certainly a possibility I don't feel like that's the case. I feel more like he was 90% there with NC State and VT made up ground.
Poole no longer committing July 1st per his twitter. No more info provided but someone can follow up with the tweet if they want.
18th reported P5 offer, biiiiig boi offer list for a high school freshman
top-6 for xavier castillo
247 article discussing his top-6 hopes to commit end of summer or early in the season, would love to take visits first
What's our current status on OL recruiting?
1 Commit (Miletjic)
I'd like to see two to three more commits, but we're kinda hamstrung by the youth of our current OL and how good they are.
After this season, we'll have 12 linemen. 4 seniors, 3-4 Juniors, 1-2 Sophomores, and 3 Freshmen. It's hard to sell playing time with that kind of logjam.
CB alert. Evan put a 7 on us for Earl Miller, DT TnT target out of Delray Beach. Looks like we and BC are his only P5 offers, with Pitt maybe following soon. Lot of Group of 5 offers.
No comment on him as a prospect, but this
high schoolareahas produced some Hokie greats.
Edit: changed a thing
You're thinking Delray Beach Atlantic, and we've had a ton of success there.
Right diff high school, should have said "area."
Hosely, Flowers, Maddy, Clowney... am I forgetting folks? (thinking DB in general- I don't know anything about the different schools)
Both Dadi Nicolas (Wesley Estime) and Maddy were flyers we took just prior to signing day in 2011.
Leal wasn't exactly a star, but he was Logan's backup for a season or two. The coach at Atlantic would sometimes invite other players in the area to workout for the VT coaches as well.
That was my general feeling as well - although if Pitt is interested in him then I am all the more intrigued about his upside. Pitt has had some great defenses in the past and I don't think of them as getting the highest rated players. It'll be interesting to see how Miller's ratings change if/when football picks up this fall. Getting in early on him might be helpful.
I felt the same way about offering Shawn Asbury. Narduzzi is a real piece of work but the guy knows defense.
247 profile page indicates he's set a decision date for July 12
Shawn Asbury is committing at 6pm est tomorrow 😃
Ladies and gentlemen. We got him😎
Here is the actual commitment video - which is excellent. Can't wait to see who's next! LFG!
If I'm reading the Twitter tea leaves, which could mean anything really... If we add Brown, Tyleik Williams and DJ Harvey, maybe even DM3, then this class blew the fuck up
Twitter tea leaves? Care to embed?
Can someone do the "and wait there's more" gif for me.😃
Thank ya😃
I must now ask...what more should we be expecting.
Just keep a eye out the next couple weeks👀
via Gfycat
Nope just watch my friend 😃
Liberty has had two players leave the school and team citing university culture. One time Hokies commit Tayvion Land and Kei' Trel Clark. Sounds like their could be more. First week opponent if we have a season could look different.
Im not surprised
Thinking about how Jerry Falwell dreamed of Liberty beating Notre Dame in football and laughing to myself.
Not at all surprised lol
So how does a guy like Land get recruited? Was a solid 3-star recruit with multiple P5 offers at one point, ends up for whatever reason at Liberty. Now wants to leave but presumably doesn't have any tape to share with P5 coaches outside of high school. How do coaches know if he still has it? Private workouts?
Not challenging the situation or throwing shade on the kid, just generally curious about how these things work.
I believe he played (if not started) for Liberty last year so he should have tape available
Ah gotcha, I thought he redshirted.
Per Reddit: Appeared in 11 games last season as a freshman, totaling 23 tackles and a forced fumble
From what I was reading, the biggest "problem" was that it was assumed he would keep growing past 5'8" and he didn't. I know there have been successful, smaller corners - but I can also see how that might scare some teams off.
I am here for bad things happening to the Liberty football program.
My man
Preemptive reminder to please stay within community guidelines when discussing Liberty...
And discourse pls.
Ok, Liberty sux
No matter how much I want to, I will make no statements regarding why I hold such deep distain for Liberty as an institution.
With that said, Fuck em
I can't wait for the Haitin' On Liberty thread this fall.
Why do we have to wait til fall?!
If they're the first opponent, it's it Hatin' On until kickoff?
Legit can someone make it already 😂😂
Yes, thanks to you both for the reminders
Haven't seen his name on here, but we're in the Top 10 (and certainly higher) for Georgia RB Malachi Thomas
Virginia Tech and Kansas State are currently his only two Power 5 offers, but from what I can tell, this guy would be a great fit not just because of his strengths, but because of his versatility. He hasn't been evaluated by major recruiting services yet, but look at his tape for yourself. Good north-south runner, good vision, one move and gone. Vision also shows through on punt returns. No idea of the level of competition, but a couple of 170-pound defenders are still 170 pounds when you're dragging and breaking them off.
Nice tape, seems like he might be under the radar considering he only has the 2 P5 offers but a lot of the G5 powerhouses are on him.
Looks like we offered him on May 7th
I like the looks of this kid. I can tell you this, if App State is offering him as a RB, we better take a HARD look. I graduated from App in 2010 and my roommate played for the team that beat Michigan. For the last decade I've wondered how App can consistently have a stable of fantastic running backs (Kevin Richardson, Jalen Moore, Devon Moore, Darrynton Evans, Marcus Cox), while our running back by committee has left a lot to be desired since David Wilson left in 2011.
I remember watching Kevin Richardson when I was a student at App. Dude was a horse!
now has a Duke offer and I doubt he's done
DB prospect offered by VT as a freshman in 2018, but if "dream school" Clemson gives him a commitable offer (they've been in his ear more lately), his recruitment might get cut short.
Looks like Tyas Martin decommited a short while ago. Womppp
Final 6 with the big boys
Not even gonna bother getting my hopes up for that one
Maybe you should
I'd say we have as good a shot as anyone right now. Big tim doing serious work behind the scenes
This was my hope all along.
Ah dammit
Thanks for deciphering that, as I struggled to see Hokies in uniform (didn't click on it and see the larger image initially).
I wondered if this may have had any play on Martin (speculating based on LA's note).
It didn't have anything do with Martin either way
HOKIES is the only name I saw written out ao rhats gotta be good right? right?
New CB Tyleik to VT from Brian Dohn
😎😃
Insert "I'm prepared to be hurt again.gif"
When's his de-commitment date set?
/ssssssssssssss
aaaaaaaaaand from Evan Watkins O_O
Told y'all that this defensive class could take off soon
We have any idea on a possible commitment date or is this just off gut feelings?
Not sure. He wants to take visits before making a decision but with that not being possible until at least September, then that may accelerate his timeline. The 247 guys don't think he's a take at OSU, bama, or LSU until they can get him on campus to evaluate, and they might fill up before he's able to do that. Curious to see how it plays out, but it's obvious he's feeling VT right now. Continuing the Stonewall pipeline appeals to him and Tim is truly a role model in his life.
NCAA just extended the recruiting dead period to August 31st.
Well get ready for ALOT of 2022 offers to be reaches. Some high schools won't play this year, some will have short seasons, fewer camps and less visits. O boy.
It's gonna be the wild west of recruiting.
it will be just like our 2020 class all over again!!!
This is the fascinating part... COVID is going to expose a ton of market inefficiencies that coaches at schools with less resources will be able to take advantage of. Combine that with the fact that a lot of schools won't have the money to buy out coaches, we're going to see a lot of coaches with a longer leash. For some schools, it will be detrimental. For others (hopefully VT) it will be beneficial.
More than one tweet like this coming from Naquan's twitter lately. Enjoying the end (?) of the process.
He's committing july 1st
Oh I know when the "commitment" date is 😉
I just had a flashback to another former commit.
Don't kill my vibe bro, let me enjoy these few days before he doesn't pick us!
😭😭😭😭
Maybe...
Naquan deleted it, but he replied with something weird like "stop replying to my tweets and unfollow if you don't like them" or something along those lines. I'm not sure what the deal was there or why he deleted it. Shortly after, he tweeted at Tristan Leigh (who I don't think we are getting) and Tyleik Williams (who I feel better about today than I did yesterday but not totally great) asking if they were trying to make that move. I am not certain that was about us.
On mobile so can't embed
Basically Jalen Hoyle jumped in and said chill because y'all might end up being teammates, then NB took his tweets down. Pure speculation on my part but I'd assume they went to the DMs and resolved it peacefully
What NB tweeted after his original tweet was in response to Carrol saying "stop using the VT fan base for clout". I think the tweet about Tristan Leigh and Tyleik Willams is trolling on VT fans, but thats IMO.
Leigh's not coming to VT so my take on Brown deleting it and adding the "make that move tweet" was playing-up LSU.
Twitter really needs to be removed from the recruiting process - the amount of embarrassing fan input is too much. VTs fanbase ends up digging the coaches/recruiters a bigger hole and then complains that recruiting stinks. I've followed it more than ever during quarantine - and it is sad. 16-18 year olds don't want weird old guys commenting on every post.
Carroll's comment was dumb too - but the amount of VT fan goofiness that followed made it way worse.
Yeah but even if Carroll's comment was a little aggressive, I'll take it because he's backing Tech against someone who is only coming if he can't get to the perceived bigger school... If Brown doesn't want Tech then he should play it like Tristan. Instead he is playing games hoping LSU gives him the go ahead. Being that Carroll is probably in "the know" he's probably tired of the games....
I did not realize how slim Naquan is. I know he tweeted something about wanting to come in and play year one wherever he goes and i hope we get him, but i also hope we cooled those expectations if he does come here because he's gonna need to put on weight quick. The number of kids who come in and just don't realize their body is not college football ready is a lot higher than you think.
He is super quick. He doesn't necessarily fit the mold of defensive linemen that TnT have been recruiting, but I certainly feel like he could play backer if his coverage skills are good enough.
I read his 40 time is above 5.0. So he is small and not fast. He is quick, but I don't think he'd hold up in coverage.
Is this the type of player that helps with the recruiting rankings but ends up doing very little? Maybe there are other DEs that fit the mold better?
Speed to the ball, sounds weird, no? He has speed to the ball. You could drill him all day, clock his time all day, but in the game, with helmet, pads, and a target, he has speed to the ball.
To quote Tracy Morgan "Look at the game tape"
I mean I think he has the potential to be great. He has the frame to put the weight on that's needed. It will just take some time, so I don't see him being an immediate contributor.
Hokies baseball picked up a thirdbase transfer from texas tech named TJ Rumfield😃
Fella on the 24/7 board said we got a commitment last night, wouldn't give a name, insinuating it's from an instate kid. Any fire to this smoke from those in the know?
My guess is Isi Etute. We got two CBs really early this morning from Evan and Matej
Makes sense. Thanks.
Etute has the chance to be the future at Mike if he can put on ~30lbs his first couple years. Dude plays downhill and with a heavy shoulder - may also be athletic enough to play Backer but Mike is a major need if we don't land Poole.
Like his film a lot.
Reminds me of a more athletic Ashby.
Sorry for being late to the party on this one...but why is Tony Grimes a 100% projected commit to UNC and we were not even in his top 5? If i remember correctly we have been recruiting him since he was in Middle School.
Yeah, I'd say you're about 12 months late to that party.
I hate to tell you this, but Truman defeated Dewey.
My guess is it's because he likes at least 5 other schools more than VT
Lingering question is why VT consistently can't keep top VA talent, in state. Grimes just another example of a party we keep missing out on.
There's a whole other thread called the Recruiting Discourse thread. Please and thank you.
Long story about Grimes and his father thinking they are too big for Tech. Tech was never really considered and the father made a big fuss about the coaches not talking to him at a visit to make it easier to not include Tech... it's all in the Feb/Mar recruiting threads if you want to catch up...
Thank you NewportHokie...now I remember the background on his recruitment.
Guess we'll see who's too big for who when we continue whooping their ass year after year!
no reported VT offer on 247
A 6'2" 245 running back from Abingdon. I wouldn't have expected that.
Edit: from this 247 article on him
That's some Derrick Henry mode size.
The numbers are there but Derrick Henry looked like a 25 year old NFL player in high school while Lucas looks he's actually in high school. I know nobody is really comparing the two but I can never get over how much of a freak Henry was/is.
obligatory:
Wow. That is some size.
TWSS
Naquan Brown commits tomorrow, 5:30 per his twitter, at work, can't embed tweet
I dunno...I want to believe...
[mod edit: added embed]
I wouldn't. Not sure we'd even accept his commitment.
Agreed
I trust LA and your thoughts on this, but any reason why he wouldn't be a take?
I kind of started losing hope in getting Brown after that whole twitter thing with Carroll. I felt that happened because Brown may have trolling a bit and Carroll called him out. It would be great to get a highly rated in state player, but I'm tired of the commit and de commit stuff we've seen this cycle. I want guys who want to be in Blacksburg.
People are going to blow the whistle on me and misconstrue this as implying 'oh well we didn't need him anyway', but his 247 rating has dropped from a 93 4* to a 88 3* over the past year which puts him on the same level as Jalen Stroman and Jaylen Jones.
Something to consider, he may just not be a fit.
My assumption is that we would rather go after players that want to be here instead of ones that were publicly waiting on an LSU offer. I am sure he will develop into a good player as long as he can put on some weight.
It may be the same situation as the corner (Land?) that ended up at Liberty (now transferring). He may not have developed as much as expected and his rating has dropped. He's 6'? 200 lbs (tops)? I know a kid can grow and add more muscle, but the DEs that we're recruiting now seem like they're 6'3" - 6'5" and weigh 230 lbs. Maybe Brown is a big question mark and the staff isn't sure how he'd fit. The only thing that I can think of is a blitz specialist on obvious passing downs.
The story out of Merryman right now is that all in-state offers are committable, no?
all new offers, and that pod episode dropped in February
Is he viewed as that big of a bust to be a non commitable here?
It's nothing to do with that, off the field and character concerns, however, it shouldn't shock anyone when he picks someone other than VT tomorrow, and if he did pick VT I would be very surprised to say the least.
Considering he just picked up like 6 crystal balls to LSU it's a moot point. Whether it's fair or not, I can't imagine someone being a take there but not for us?
only thing i could see is we may be getting two commits from guys who are higher on our board
4 star in state recruit but just not up to our standards. LSU should feel so fortunate to pick through our recruiting scraps.
Wait why what did I miss
Naquan and Watson are not coming to VT - and I want to see the staff go all-in on Gilliam in the coming months.
Longshot and probably a PSU lean - but he wants to play early and with his size he could easily enter the 4-man rotation inside and out his Freshman year.
I don't think I'm crazy to say there is a still a chance we get the larger percentage of Gilliam, Tyleik, Poole, Harvey, and McMillon.