2018 Dream Class: The Who and the How

I posted last week about a wishlist for upcoming recruits, and 1 comment about needing to aim higher (specifically about OL) made me dream big. With that in mind, I compiled a "dream class" for next year. In doing this, I tried to mostly pick recruits who have some sort of tie to VT already (warm on 247, from VA or border state, HS teammates with current Hokies/commits, etc). So while I wouldn't call this class realistic, it is also more than just picking the highest rated player at every position. I also had a little fun and brainstormed how/why they would choose VT.

So without further ado, here is our 2018 (dream) recruiting class:

Current Commits:
DeJuan Ellis 3* QB .8797 (moves to slot, becomes the next Pimpleton, who became the next Carroll, who was the first slot receiver to win the Heisman)
Chamarri Conner 3* S .8834
Bryce Thompson 3* ATH .8578

Upcoming Commits:
Dakereon Joyner 4* QB .9245 (Already likes us, won't be able to resist when he sees the rest of the class start to commit)
Ricky Slade 5* RB .9836 (After Penn State's dismal season he decommits and stays home to rep the VA)
Daniel George 4* WR .9323 (Already LOVES us according to 247...basically a lock*)
Dillon Spalding 4* WR .9095 (He already bleeds O&M)
Shaquon Anderson-Butts 4* WR .9010 (Already LOVES us according to 247...basically a lock*, also recognizes the strong name tradition we have at VT and continues the dominance with Hooker, Pimp, Deablo and others)
James Mitchel 3* WR .8886 (This 6-4 WR stays home and reps the states superior program, already loves VT)
Armani Chatman 3* WR .8850 (Likes VT, keeps the 757 pipeline alive and well, becomes the future unheralded surprise of the class)
Zack Kuntz 4* TE .9676 (After becoming super close with Ricky Slade, sees the light after PSU's terrible season and decommits and comes to the good guys with Ricky)
Nana Asiedu 4* OT .9494 (Stays home to rep the state)
James Ohonba 4* OT .9041 (Already LOVES us according to 247...basically a lock*)
Antwan Reed 4* OT .8909 (Follows former HS teammate Pimpleton because Pimpleton is the best VT recruiter we have)
John Harris 3* OG .8366 (Actually loves VT, our least heralded recruit who becomes the next people's champion and keeps the Georgia OL pipeline open)
John Morgan 3* DE .8527 (Already LOVES us according to 247...basically a lock*, also reopens the DeMatha HS pipeline for years to come)
Stephon Wynn 4* DE .9576 (As you will see below, a group of IMG Academy players got together and decided that they want to stick together and win a Natty with a non-traditional power because they are that good...it also doesn't hurt that we hire their head-coach to a consulting position...totally legally of course and they all secretly looked up to former HS teammate and current Hokie Khalil Ladler)
Taron Vincent 5* DT .9944 (IMG Academy...nuff said)
Rick Sandidge 4*DT .9655 (Already LOVES us according to 247...basically a lock*)
Dante Stills 4* DT .8936 (Despite his love for his home state of WV, he despises Morgantown and realizes that VT truly does feel like home)
Teradja Mitchell 4* ILB .9831 (Decides to stay home to rep his state, heals any perceived wounds with Bishop Sullivan and keeps the 757 pipeline alive and well)
Dax Hollifield 4* ILB .9465 (Born with O&M glasses on, finally fulfills dream to play for CBF)
Keshon Artis 3* OLB .8873 (Big VT homer, keeps the 757 pipeline going strong)
Houston Griffith 4* CB .9712 (IMG Academy...boom)
DJ Crossen 3* CB .8789 (Follows HS teammate/best friend in the whole wide world Hendon Hooker)
Tyreke Johnson 5* S .9908 (stays with current commit and HS teammate Chammari Conner to become the next great safety tandem at DBU)
Tre Turner 4* ATH .9365 (Already LOVES us according to 247...basically a lock*)
*This means that for some reason they are listed as "Warm" on 247...you can take that to the bank. /s

Summary:
27 recruits (2 QB, 1 RB, 5 WR, 1 TE, 4 OL, 2 DE, 3 DT, 3 LB, 2 CB, 2 S, 2 ATH)
Stars: 5* - 3, 4* - 15, 3* - 9
Overall Rating: .9204

Closing Thoughts:
This class doesn't address our RB depth as much, but that's ok because Dragon, Holston, and Wheatley will all become stars, and we also have Devyn Ford coming in the following year. And of course Peoples steps in seamlessly to the Sam Rogers roll.
As ridiculous as this class feels, this would have probably been the 4th ranked class in the nation last year, behind Alabama, Ohio State, and Georgia...that blows my mind, and also makes me appreciate how difficult of a job it must be to win the NC, or even get to the playoffs. I would love to see what Fuente and Foster could do with a top 5 roster.
So who do I send this to to make sure this class happens? Straight to Fuente? DM these recruits? Thomas Guerry? Beamer's Auto Garage? All of them? OK.
Lastly, in light of the recent delusional fan base topic, I promise I am actually a fairly rational fan. Don't ever see a class like this happening at VT, but it's fun to dream.

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