It would appear that Thomas Guerry (@thomasguerry), a recruiting assistant at Georgia, is relocating to Blacksburg. Presumably, to join our recruiting staff.
I can't embed from my phone, but here are some links to tweets from him saying good bye and other accounts referencing him heading to Blacksburg. I've also included his UGA Athletics Profile.
https://twitter.com/thomasguerry/status/493530870918426624
https://twitter.com/ugafootballlive/status/493540181593440257
https://twitter.com/garrettscollins/status/493553638686461953
http://www.georgiadogs.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/guerry_thomas00.html
Nothing official has been announced, but it certainly seems like we've made an addition. If so, welcome to Hokie Nation, Thomas!
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Can't have enough recruiters! Hope he can help us reel in some top targets
Considering UGA is one of our top competitors for Josh Sweat's services, adding a member of their staff can't hurt.
Welcome to HokieNation! Lets keep Sweat home!
Just got a notification via twitter that Aaron Morehead just followed @thomasguerry.
Choppin Wood to Chop More Wood!
So we've now added the top recruiter from South Carolina (Shane Beamer) and the top recruiter from Georgia, not to mention the amount of work Woodhead & Loeffler are putting in.
Anyone else notice how the sleeping lion is starting to wake up
Not trying to count my chickens before they hatch but I think landing Mr. Sweat would be evident of the sleeping lion about to be awaken.
Yeah, I'm definitely not counting that chicken before it hatches.
If we land a verbal commitment from Sweat then I expect the recruiting floodgates to explode in Blacksburg, VA. #ChoppingWood
If we get a verbal from Sweat, it could be changed to #ChoppingStadiumWoods
Well...it would be a start...
Recruiting is the keystone to success, Whit is proving that he is willing to hire the people that will make us take the next step to greatness. Welcome to the Hokies!
So how soon will this guy start working for us instead of UGA?
According to his twitter, he has already sent out a "Thank You" tweet to the UGA fans...
I wish I could post the link, but work internet restrictions won't allow... help?
Looks pretty official. Should be announced pretty soon.
It looks like he's taking Coach Cav's job as director of high school relations, per 247. Also from 247:
There's also this
#Whitness
In his 5 years as Recruiting Assistant, Guerry has been a part of recruiting a top 12 ranked class or better, according to Rivals.
2015: 10th
2014: 7th
2013: 12th
2012: 12th
2011: 5th
Such rankings. Very recruiting.
So, I guess the next big question is, what is Guerry's connection to the Josh Sweat recruitment? If he was a major player for the Bulldogs, you could never again say that the Hokies are not going all-in for a top recruit regardless of who Sweat ends up selecting.
Also, Georgia was hot after Mook.
So Mook is responsible for this hire as well. What can't he do?
There are two sort-of precedents for this with the program (and please let someone who paid more attention to recruiting at the time add context.) As I can recall, Kevin Rogers was a major recruiting voice on behalf of Syracuse for Michael Vick. Rogers had tremendous success with mobile QB's like Donovan McNabb and Marvin Graves and that was attractive for Vick. When Rogers came to Tech, the perception was (at least in my circles) was that Vick was following Rogers.
Tyrod Taylor also had an impact on Curt Newsome's hiring. Others know that story better than me, but Taylor was outstanding. My feelings on Newsome are well documented, so I am not going to rehash them here.
This was my understanding as well, but after a little Googling, I found this article. Apparently, Vick's mom had a big hand in keeping her son in-state.
Also, Kevin Rogers did not join the Virginia Tech staff until 2002.
Right on Ohherro.
According to McNabb, if it wasn't for Vick's mom wanting him to be closer to home, Vick to Syracuse was a done deal.
http://www.foxsports.com/college-football/story/signing-day-stories-mcna...
See, you learn something new everyday.
This also just goes to show how fickle recruiting can be. A school can do everything right and still not get the player. There are so many other factors involved.
I have read somewhere that Vick didn't want to be the "next McNabb", and chose to make a name for himself elsewhere
Vick>McNabb by a lot.
no doubt, wasn't trying to imply otherwise.. just pointing out another motive for Vick to go somewhere other than Syracuse
I've read it too, but - but it could also be something that you tell yourself after the fact.
It wasn't Mv7 we brought Rogers in to get. It was a big part of landing Marcus if I remember correctly.
I've been searching for a link, but I haven't seen anything so far. Hopefully this move works out similar to the other two you mentioned.
Syracuse was definately the other finalist for Michael Vick, but Rodgers didn't come to VT until 2002, after Vick was off to the NFL. His presence on staff was a big selling point for Marcus Vick who was having concerns about VT's scheme and QB coaching after his brother's experience with Bustle.
I recall Marcus Vick stating VT wasn't in it until they hired Kevin Rogers.
Looks like we picked a bad time to hire Rogers then.
A lot of mutual respect between VT and UGA.
Let's not forget that Brent Benedict was at UGA before transferring to VT...
I have to say it looks like UGA has been very gracious with his departure, a real indication of how they run the program. They've had a run of knucklehead player issues recently and Coach Richt has not tolerated any of it. I think Guerry will fit right in at VT
didnt our receivers coach before sherman leave for uga? i seem to remember a lot of our players dapping up with him after the peach bowl. i'd love to do a home and home with them.
Not from me. UGA is on par if not higher than UVA on my hate-o-meter.
He begins work today as the Director of High School Relations for Football.
Hope he gets to bring his database!
With a data base of over 5,000 recruits , there has to be a few sleepers that will be overlooked by Alabama & Ohio State . Welcome to Tech & get that computer working.this looks like another outstanding hire by Mr Whit .
And apparently I need it in a BIG way...
Yup, that is key! And maintaining it from year to year.
I wonder if UGa is one of the 'noncommitable offers' programs.
Even if we don' land Sweat (GOD LETS HOPE WE DO), this is a absolutely great hire.
Agreed 100%- this is great!
Yeahhhh!..
This guy is so good its Guerry.
Now we just need to steal some recruits from Florida
You mean in addition to Isaiah Ford.
INSERT FLORIDA RECRUITS MIKE ARNOLD, AUGIE DEBIASE AND I AM SURE THERE ARE MORE
UGA>GT
VT is getting a guy WHO CAN DO THAT.
I think this truly shows our new mindset. We are picking up SEC, Big 12, and other major conference guys. No more picking some guy at a tiny program that may or may not make it (see UVA). Go out and snag proven. I like it.
Responsibilities: Guerry is tasked with enhancing Techs recruiting efforts by taking the lead on communicating with high school football coaches, assisting with official and unofficial visits and working on increasing the social media presence of Virginia Tech football.
I'm not sure if anyone else has noticed, but Thomas has immediately made an impact since joining the staff a couple months ago. Obviously his work on social media is the only thing as fans that we can see him do, but @beamer_ball and his personal account has been littered with awesome graphics and tweets. It's crazy to think about how much recruiting has changed over the years, but you know the 17 and 18 year old kids love seeing stuff like this after those hometown players win on such a big stage.
I am not sure about beamer ball and the like, but the VT Athletics and VT Football accounts were on point and up to the second with updates on Saturday. They were churning out content quick and fast, and I loved it.