Defensive tackle Tim Settle verbally committed to the Virginia Tech Hokies during today's Under Armour All-America Game. The 6-2, 300-plus pound Stonewall Jackson (Manassas, Virginia) product was predicted by recruitniks as an out of state or Wahoo lean early on in his recruiting process, but ultimately Settle chose the Hokies over Louisville, USC and slew of other Power 5 offers.
Settle's teammate and friend Greg Stroman committed to, and eventually signed with, the Hokies on August 3, 2013. Perhaps that was the moment when Settle seriously started to consider Virginia Tech as a possible college destination.
I got to go visit VT
— Tim Settle (@tim_settle) August 3, 2013
"I like that they're a Virginia school, they're good at recruiting, I want to take another visit there," Settle told The Key Play's Alex Koma in August 2014. "But I feel like I'm missing something with them. I need something to click."
Settle took three visits to Blacksburg (Aug. 30, Sep. 27 and Oct. 23) during the 2014 season and that gave the Hokies ample opportunities to sell Settle on the program.
We dem boyz @_ImThatDude20 @Iam_GS3 pic.twitter.com/Mi7GSi4az9
— Tim Settle (@tim_settle) September 1, 2014
The stability of Beamer Co.'s defensive coaching staff was a definite draw for the 4-star (247Sports Composite) prospect and Tech's persistence recruiting Settle paid off.
Settle is an explosive defensive tackle that can create chaos in an offense's backfield by either using his quickness to blow past a blocker or his strength to drive him backwards.
ESPN's scouting report of Settle is favorable.
STRENGTHS: Strong, physical presence on the inside who can move and penetrate. Big bodied defender who demonstrates very good short-area quickness and long speed burst for an interior lineman. Flashes dominant upper and lower body strength and is very explosive off the ball. Has a nose for the football, particularly on the move. Gets down the line quickly and shows high pursuit effort. Very productive versus the run and pass showing good technique; he's sound yet disruptive. ... AREAS OF IMPROVEMENT: Might be topped out in weight so will benefit from added strength and continued refinement as a pass rusher. ... BOTTOM LINE: Settle moves very well and is quick and active for his size making him a versatile prospect on the line. Appears to still have good upside and projects to be a productive, well-rounded player with valued scheme versatility along the interior.
Former Stonewall Jackson head coach Mike Dougherty agrees with ESPN's assessment.
"He reminds me of Warren Sapp," Dougherty explained in a 2013 interview with The Key Play's Mark Trible. "You might look at Tim and think the same thing because he doesn't look like he can move as well as he can.
"You look at (2014 Alabama signee from Woodbridge) Da'Shawn Hand and he looks like a grown man. Tim still has a little bit of a spare tire on him. But he's only 16 and more athletic than anyone trying to block him...Some schools have told us flat out, he's a first-round draft pick. You have 10,000 quarterbacks, 10,000 running backs but there are only 30 guys like Tim."
Mike Gentry's strength and conditioning program should keep Settle's weight in check, but academics could be a barrier to Tim seeing the field in Lane in 2015.
"He enjoys the notoriety, the opportunity to take these visits," Raiders head coach Darryl Robinson told Koma in the aforementioned August 2014 interview. "But I'm more concerned about making sure he's getting his grades in line and leading the team.
SportsWar Recruiting Analyst Chris Horne also noted that academics may be a roadblock for Tim.
Talent-wise there is no doubt Settle has the potential to be a big-time college player, but there is a caveat. Academics are a serious concern. There are rumors he may have to attend prep or even junior college before arriving on the major college level.
247Sports' Sean Fitz asked Settle about any enrollment hiccups on Sunday.
While Settle will have some work to do in the classroom to qualify, he feels confident that he can make the scores he needs by the summer to enroll at Virginia Tech.
"If I don't qualify during the year, I will qualify before I go in the summer," Settle told 247Sports' Sean Fitz on Sunday.
Beamer Co. did what it had to and earned a commitment from one of the state's top prospects. If Settle's academics are an issue, Tech will have a leg up in re-recruiting him in 2016. If not, the Hokies will have a difference maker on the roster in 2015.
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