I also wouldnt be shocked if Pry looks for a defensive tackle via the transfer portal. Obviously, we think our guys can continue to develop, the young guys in our program. While the Hokies have continued to add players from the NCAA transfer portal . Takye Heath is a player to watch. Since the conclusion of the 2022 season, Conner has participated in the 2023 Reese's Senior Bowland has prepared himself for the NFL Combine. What we sold them on is, we dont necessarily recruit just corners and safeties. Nine scholarship players have already gone into the portal. The receiver group rounded out late with the additions out of Tennessee of both Ayden Greene, a one-time Cincinnati commit, and Chance Fitzgerald. The No. 12/19/2022. AJ Swinton: Four-star small forward commits to Virginia Tech Hes going to make us better. READ MORE, Thomas Dale 2025 athlete Shamari Earls recently picked up an offer from Virginia Tech, and he will visit next month. And while well see if hes actually that big listed heights and weights on recruiting sites are hardly unimpeachable its a body type Techs lacking now that Kaleb Smith is in the transfer portal. While he may not stick at corner, he could make an impact at safety or linebacker, depending on how much size he adds. 6-5 / The 2019 class was punctuated by offensive lineman Doug Nesters signing day flip from Ohio State in February, though that joy was erased years later by his transfer to West Virginia. The Hokies had circled him as a possibility before he went in the portal, so once he officially put his name out there, offensive coordinator Tyler Bowen had done his homework and was the first coach Drones welcomed on an in-home visit. More than anything, I think hes going to push these guys on and off the field. All four have legit size and Ghannam could play early in his career. One-On-One With Virginia Tech Football's Brent Pry By: David Cunningham | March 2, 2023 On Wednesday, Tech Sideline's David Cunningham sat down with Brent Pry to discuss individual players, the transfer portal and other topics. He is from Maury High School in Norfolk alma mater of Virginia Tech legend Kam Chancellor. Terms at draftkings.com/sportsbook. Both Greene (1,127 yards, 19 TDs) and Fitzgerald (1,348 yards, 18 TDs) had monster senior seasons and could have the size to factor in right away. Jason Abbey is a defensive end from Richmond that has coaches excited. The highest-ranked in-state signee Tech had was cornerback Antonio Cotman Jr., the 16th-ranked player in the 247Sports Composite. BLACKSBURG, Va. So this is what recruiting momentum feels like? The Hokies wanted to add talent to the wide receiver position, and they certainly did. Note that this isn't necessarily a complete list of recruits who are in Blacksburg; it's only a list of those who we can confirm visited via social media. In the spring, the Hokies made a point of hitting every school in the state. Virginia Tech 2023 Football Commits - 247Sports All original material and images are copyrighted by TechSideline.com and may not be reused or reprinted without permission. 6-2 / 6-0 / There is still work to do in Northern Virginia and the 757, but Pry and his staff are off to a terrific start. 1. 5-11 / Liz Kitleys 53rd double-double, matched by Taylor Soules double-double, and G sinks 5 Threes! Hailing from north of Charlotte . At 6-foot-2, 190 pounds, the Life Christian Academy product has good size for a defensive back and is one of the more intriguing prospects in the class, just based on the diversity of his ranking. While no one will confuse Virginia Tech's incoming class with Alabama . This is a guy whos going to bring a different demeanor from what we have, Mines said. And I believe we can win an ACC championship with this formula. 2005-2023 CBS INTERACTIVE ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 2023 Virginia Tech Football Schedule | FBSchedules.com Drones was a hot commodity and gives the Hokies and offensive coordinator Tyler Bowen the type of passer who can run his offense; that should be RPO-heavy. 6-4 / The Hokies didnt venture west into Tennessee often in the latter Beamer years and signed just five players from the state during Justin Fuentes six seasons, most notably linebacker Jaden Keller in 2021. You can win those jump balls, 80-20, is what I call it. 190, DL / This time around, the focus was more on the perimeter, with Tech signing seven defensive backs and seven receivers, some with positional versatility to possibly end up on either side of the ball. 6-2 / Virginia Tech Football Recruiting - Gobbler Country For our in-house analysis of each signee for Virginia Tech, check out our videos on YouTube. 6-2 / Varner is a 6-foot-2, 280-pound first-team All-AAC pick from Temple, where he had 7.5 sacks last year. Again, its about being transparent and open and honest and having conversations ahead of time. Id like to get a bona fide pass rusher off the edge, a proven guy that can win more one-on-one battles, Pry said. 2005-2023 CBS INTERACTIVE ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Period. I think hes proven. Head coach Brent Pry enters his second year at the helm, and the Hokies open their season vs. Old Dominion on Saturday, Sept. 2 in Blacksburg. Analyzing Virginia Tech Football's 2023 Signing Day Class An offensive lineman: The Hokies have 16 in the room right now, but only one is a senior (Jesse Hanson) and only three more have junior designations (Kaden Moore, Parker Clements and Bob Schick). It helps when you can go to an area and theres a young man youre interested in that youre getting to know, Pry said. Virginia Tech football: A look at the Hokies 2023 recruiting class, 2023 NFL Scouting Combine: Virginia Tech safety Chamarri Conner with an impressive day, Virginia Tech football: 2 former Hokies named 2 of the NFLs top 101 players. Virginia Tech Football Recruiting Articles | TechSideline.com 205, DL / While On3 rates him as the No. All signing day graphics are by Giovanni Heater, and all signing day videos were produced by Nick Brown. 455 player nationally and No. Hes a twitchy guy, and particularly when he gets closer to the football, he was a problem for people.. VTScoop - Virginia Tech Hokies Football and Recruiting Stay up to date with all the Virginia Tech Hokies sports news, recruiting, transfers, and more at 247Sports.com 247Sports. READ MORE, Despite being a UVA legacy, Grant Karczewski will walk-on at Virginia Tech after specific advice from his parents. (Top photo: Courtesy of Virginia Tech Athletics). Hes a triple-threat guy, Pry said. Krystian Williams is another who could move around. He committed on Sunday, three days after he decommitted from Boston College and a day after an official visit in Blacksburg. @CoachPryVT @TylerBowen @CoachShawnQuinn @HokiesFB pic.twitter.com/tCR903bBkM, Zeke Wimbush (@zekewimbush7) December 19, 2022. HokieHaven Visit our message boards:TSL Recruiting Board (TSL Pass)TSL Football Board. 6-2 / More Stories About Virginia Tech Football Recruiting Virginia Tech football: Hokies land 4-star JUCO pass-rusher James Jennette Jennette is a promising edge rusher. Both look like future starters at cornerback for the Hokies. He was a hybrid linebacker-defensive back in both 2019 and 2020, registering a bulk of his . Copeland is a 6-foot-4, 195-pound from Appomattox. Signed Letter of Intent (15) Pos Ht / Wt Rating Status Chance Fitzgerald Nolensville (Nolensville, TN) Virginia Tech football: A look at the Hokies' 2023 recruiting class North Carolina was all over cornerback Cam Fleming in the final two weeks. The Hokies locked up his commitment late Tuesday night, springing it as a surprise on signing day. Call 1-800-GAMBLER. This years class is loading up on defensive backs. "The portal is going to be active, as we all know. I really like this group. The final transfer was speedy 6-foot-4 wide receiver Quan Felton from Norfolk State. Commit Boston College. 207, TE / The Hokies were competing at the Lone Star State Invitational this weekend. Football Nov 11 TBA. 206, WR / Virginia Tech Football Transfer Tracker: Winter 2022-2023 By VTScoop247 Jan 13, 5:00 PM 207 Virginia Tech Head Coach Brent Pry expects roster turnover this offseason as he attempts to. 6-1 / 10 ranked all-time Virginia Tech Hokie in career tackles. Its been a while since Tech had an All-ACC caliber player who was a consensus top-five in-state prospect. Virginia Tech Releases 2023 Football Schedule Coney could also play linebacker, but it sounds like the plan is to stick in the backfield. Stevens will probably end up at defensive end, and, like Abbey, be a pretty good one. I think thats definitely going to help us on the perimeter, being longer, being faster and being more consistent.. (Virginia Tech sports photography) On early signing day, 25 prospects from the class of 2023 signed their NLIs with Virginia Tech football: 13 on offense and 12 on defense. Hokies add 25 signees, welcome three transfers on National Signing Day The 6-foot-2, 225-pound Drones was Techs top transfer quarterback target. The commentary is also linked in the Our Take column of the table below. 210, IOL / More than anything, we wanted to get guys who had good production, Mines said. From analyzing Techs 2023 class, you see a heavy emphasis on Virginia and the Hokies making some noise in regional states, such as Tennessee, Maryland, West Virginia and South Carolina. 250, S / Virginia Tech is hopeful to get defensive tackle Norell Pollard back too, though nothings been finalized on that front. Varner has been dealing with a foot injury, but if healthy, he will be Virginia Techs best pass rusher immediately. I think he is confident. A ranking of the 2023 Best College Football Players in West Virginia. 57 player in the class at the edge position, 247 has him at No. Lewis plays running back at Salem High School in Salem, Virginia. Nationally, the Hokies' class has peaked at No. Their parents, especially, have an appreciation for where Virginia Techs been, and they understand what this program can be.. He was a hybrid linebacker-defensive back in both 2019 and 2020, registering a bulk of his time at the coined 'Whip' position. If allowed to develop for two years, Watson could be a terrific college quarterback. After a showy signing day ceremony, the hay is in the barn now, with Pry finalizing his first full class with the Hokies, a group that ranks 35th in the 247Sports Composite and sixth in the ACC, not far from Virginia Techs historical norm. 6-2 / 788 37 8. 185, RB / NA 135 140. He misses too many tackles due to risky angles and struggles coming to balance in the open field. on February 2, 2022, 7:20 AM | 36 comments. TechSideline.com (a.k.a. READ MORE, Bodie Kahoun recently picked up an offer from Virginia Tech, and the Roanoke native will be in Blacksburg tonight. The Hokies 2023 class ranks No. In addition to some final high school targets, the Hokies are still pursuing several transfers Temple defensive lineman Darian Varner and Norfolk State receiver DaQuan Felton are a couple to watch in the short term, with former five-star Tony Grimes out of UNC an automatic take if Tech were somehow able to beat out some heavyweights and convince him to come here. Virginia Tech Football Transfer Tracker: Winter 2022-2023 The Portsmouth product is a former basketball player who didnt start playing football until his junior year, earning a camp offer from Norfolk State, where he caught 67 passes for 1,062 yards and nine touchdowns the past two years, with seven scores last season. DaWain Lofton can play the slot, while others like Tucker Holloway and Xayvion Bradshaw push for time in the lineup. ('2023-02-23 11:46:09 -0600') }} football Edit. Competition at quarterback. If he does return, likely in a special teams capacity, he wouldnt be on scholarship, though hes marketable enough that Tech could pursue NIL opportunities for him. Here are some key takeaways from signing day: Virginia Techs class has a distinctly Virginia flavor to it, with 16 of the 29 total signees having played their high school ball in the commonwealth. Recruits can send in their National Letter of Intent (NLI) starting at 7 a.m. We'll begin providing updates at that time, and we'll be here all day. 6-6 / 6-7 / It wouldnt be easy after Justin Fuente ignored the state for years. Our Signing Day 2023 coverage is presented by: We uploaded one-minute long videos for each recruit to a playlist on YouTube. David Cunningham will have a story at the end of the day on Wednesday to recap Techs December signees, and Chris Coleman will have a columnas well. Virginia Tech missed out on some key in-state linebacker prospects. Pry, whose years at Penn State gave him an advantage in rebuilding those relationships. Its infectious, Pry said. Bodie Kahoun recently picked up an offer from Virginia Tech, and the Roanoke native will be in Blacksburg tonight. Theres no such thing as 50-50. 215, QB / 310. Ishmael Findlayter, Linebacker: Tavorian Copeland, Aycen Stevens. The first order of business at the combine was the measurement portion, on Friday morning, where the Virginia Tech defensive back verified his frame. Football Nov 18 TBA. He can be a power runner pretty early in his Virginia Tech career. 6-1 / The Hokies have been recruiting Walker for quite some time, but the offer has finally come through. While theres always positional flexibility to consider with many of these athlete types coming in, particularly with the Hokies need for offensive playmakers, its not far-fetched to see a DB class that includes Cotman, Cameren Fleming, Braylon Johnson, Thomas Williams and Dante Lovett. And I think he has a chip on his shoulder. They'll all decide what's best for them individually in the upcoming weeks. The high schoolers are Watson and Wittke at quarterback, running back Jeremiah Coney, Greene and Baylor at receiver, offensive lineman Layth Ghannam, Hannes Hammer and Williams, defensive end Ishmael Findlayter and Cotman and Phillips at defensive back. His list of collegiate accolades include 2020 Phil Steele All-ACC Third Team, 2020 All-ACC Honorable Mention, ACC Defensive Back of the Week (Sept. 7, 2021), 2021 ESPN All-ACC Midseason Team, 2021 Phil Steele All-ACC Second Team, 2021 All-ACC Honorable Mention (S), and his selection to the 2022-2023 Reese's Senior Bowl.