Big WR Joins Virginia Tech 2013 Recruiting Class

By: Pre_MV7_Hokie on July 17, 2011, 4:04 PM | 1 comment

Wide receiver Thomas Smith, from Lafayette High school in the Bay Rivers District of Virginia, has officially committed to Virginia Tech. Thomas chose the Hokies over more than a dozen scholarship offers, including Ball State, James Madison, Old Dominion, and Norfolk State. An unproved talent, Smith finished with 27 catches for 558 yards during his Junior season after missing 4 games at Wide Receiver with a broken hand. Despite this uncertainty that has kept Smith off the radar, his raw tools are undeniable: he stands 6’4” tall, weighs in at 215 pounds, and runs a reported 4.53 40-yard dash.

Smith is expected to be a “grey-shirt” candidate, and will attend Fork Union Military Academy for a semester after graduation, enrolling at Virginia Tech in the Spring of 2013. As reported earlier this week, he is a year younger than most high school seniors, and could very heavily benefit from the discipline and development that the extra time and guidance the situation would offer. For once, the Hokies didn’t snag a recruit out of UVA’s sights. In fact, this may be the quietest commitment of this recruiting season. In the silence, however, Virginia Tech may have gotten an absolute steal: a big, strong, fast receiver with something to prove, and an extra year to craft him into a star student/athlete.

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Comments

Joe Lanza

PUBLISHER

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| 14 years 11 months #

I tried looking for some film on him, but was unsuccessful. Considering his size and speed being so prototypical of a I-A receiver, he must be really raw I like how we seem to be going after bigger, more physical receivers though.

Here's some more information about him him: http://www.vagazette.com/articles/2011/07/17/sports/doc4e209d882cd140465....

If Smith accepts the offer, the plan is to spend a semester at Fork Union Military Academy next fall before transfering to Tech in January 2013. His scholarship will be a part of that recruiting class, an important distinction to Smith’s family.

They met with athletic director Dan Barner and the football coaching staff last year and laid out a plan that would help him reach the next level.

"This is really good for Thomas," said Lafayette coach Andy Linn. "They want him to mature academically and physically, which was his parents' plan all along."

Smith, a year younger than most high school seniors, received scholarship offers from at least a dozen colleges, including Ball State, James Madison, Old Dominion and Norfolk State.

While he's received significant interest from JMU and ODU, Smith said his heart is with the Hokies.

"I'm still thinking about it, but I'm pretty sure I'm going to take it," Smith said.

He went to two camps at Virginia Tech over the last six months and felt it was the right fit for him.

"The facilities are top of the line and the competition in the ACC is top-notch," Smith said. I love competition and the coaching staff is great. Plus, it would be good for people down here to come see me play."