Virginia Tech's coaches must've been at the top of their games back on February 7.
The team held its first Junior Day event of the season, and now three players have committed in the immediate aftermath of the gathering.
Cornerback Kareem Felder made his decision that same day. Fellow CB Troy Pride waited an extra two weeks before making his commitment, but it was still abundantly clear the event impressed him enough to solidify his decision.
Now wide receiver Samuel Denmark of Charleston, S.C.'s Hanahan HS has become the latest recruit to commit after stopping by Blacksburg earlier this month.
"I pretty much had my mind made up after Junior Day," Denmark said. "The hospitality was so great, I felt really comfortable there."
News of Denmark's commitment broke Sunday night, but he says he gave his main recruiter, Shane Beamer, a heads up about his choice earlier last weekend.
"I called Coach Beamer Saturday night and gave him the news," Denmark said. "He was really excited about it, hearing from me."
Denmark then quickly heard from his new position coach, Zohn Burden. The pair met for the first time on that fateful Junior Day, and Denmark said it seemed like they instantly had a "good connection" and he was "interested in me and I was interested in him."
Now that Denmark is officially the first receiver to commit since Burden was hired, their relationship will only continue to grow.
"He said he wants to stay in touch, and he's very excited to work with me," Denmark said.
Denmark rates his comfort with the coaches as one of the prime reasons he decided to pick Tech over Wake Forest, the only other program that's extended him a scholarship offer so far.
"I just feel like I can really relate to the coaches there," Denmark said.
Like many of the other young receivers considering the Hokies, the early success of receivers like Isaiah Ford and Cam Phillips also showed Denmark that the staff would be open minded about awarding him early playing time.
"That definitely stood out to me from the first time I went there (for the Boston College game)," Denmark said.
Now that he's chosen to make Tech his home, he's already trying to figure out his next visit to the school.
"I think I'm planning on going to the spring game," Denmark said.
Even with his verbal commitment now set, it's not hard to imagine Denmark earning more interest from other schools down the line. He attended a South Carolina Junior Day in late January, and visited Notre Dame, Clemson and UNC for games last fall.
While the Hokies may have been his first offer, he says he's heard plenty from the Tigers and Fighting Irish, so it's certainly not out of the realm of possibility for those schools to come calling as the 2016 cycle keeps rolling.
But for now, he says he's not planning on taking any more visits and holding firm with his newly chosen school.
"I'll definitely still be open for other visits, but I just want to be with Virginia Tech right now," Denmark said.
Comments
What I really like about this kid that Marcus Davis "freak athlete" struggled with... BLOCKING! This kid is destroying little ole corners!
Davis didn't struggle...he just chose not to do it.
Someone listened.
Tough Burden to have to start recruiting immediately after you are hired, looks like Zohn is living up to his reputation by making impressions on recruiticorns right away. Keep up the good work...
Spurning the Irish and Tigers always get a thumbs up in my book
I'm digggin the heck out of this kid's game. He's not the biggest or fastest guy out there, but he just goes up and gets the ball ("dibs!") and makes great adjustments to the ball. And he's also really good at attacking a defender and moving him away from a ballcarrier against said defender's will. Love it. He needs to sharpen up his route-running a bit, but he's already got some of the hardest parts of the position down and looks like he's just a football player. Great pickup for Zohn.
that block 30 seconds in ..!!! ohh my he not only took the db out back but he also brought Marcus Davis with him for a show and tell!!
I like what he brings, but his recruitment is FAR from over. The staff will need to stay on him.
I will be shocked if we sign him next February. "Definitely up for visits" and "right now" I interpret as until I get some more offers, which he will. Too early to get excited about any of these commitments right now good or bad.
I think was just offered by ECU
Remember when everyone was freaking out about Mook taking visits? While it's definitely a good idea to not get too attached to anyone until signing day/fall camp/first game/graduation, nothing in there is too concerning.
This. It's just the norm these days. Better to have him committed now then not at all. I would worry if Clempsun or USC-e offers him.
And they probably will, but that's modern recruiting. Talked with a friend about a conversation he had with AMo before he went to A&M a few weeks ago. The coaches feel like if they don't call a kid today, someone else probably is, and it's a constant grind to stay on top of their current commits while still recruiting guys who are either uncommitted or committed elsewhere. Heck of a juggling act combined with on-field coaching.
"Shocked" is a bit of an overstatement. The vast majority of kids -- even out of state kids -- who verbally commit to VT also sign their LOI with VT.
Taking visits after committing -- yet remaining committed -- is becoming more and more common these days.
He actually has great speed. Apparently won state titles in 100M. Ran 10.9 or something. So that's exciting.
Came in 2nd I believe..still "not too shabby".
He received "hospitality", huh? Sounds like some Hardees coupons slid under the table.
Film is Larry Fitzgerald-esque. Throw it up there and it will be caught/ high-pointed.
Sounds like he has plenty of speed. Looks like the QB just keeps throwing jump balls. Maybe if he put some velocity and distance on the throw you could see some long passes. It's obvious when he catches the screens that he's a burner