It would've been near impossible for Virginia Tech recruiting to match their success from two weeks ago. Still, the Hokies landed another commitment from a versatile recruit, and also hosted one of their top targets at running back. All that and more will be covered in this week's Virginia Tech recruiting update.
Thompson Commits, Leaving Fewer Open Spots in Secondary
Virginia Tech hosted athlete Nadir Thompson for a visit on Thursday, and picked up a commitment on Friday from the Spring Hope, N.C. native.
https://twitter.com/Nadir_Thompson7/status/875456729177260032
Getting Thompson's commitment represents a huge win for the Hokies, who had battled NC State for most of his recruitment. Thompson originally committed to NC State in May 2016, but Virginia Tech offered in June 2016 and never stopped recruiting him. Once Thompson decommitted on April 22, it was only a matter of time until he joined the Hokies.
Thompson is a 5-foot-10, 165-pound recruit who can play both offense and defense for Virginia Tech. The Hokies have recruited Thompson as a defensive back, but with Bryce Thompson jumping ship a couple weeks ago, Thompson could be moved to the slot receiver role.
If Thompson is an offensive player for Tech, that could open up another open spot in the secondary for the Hokies. If he sticks at cornerback, Virginia Tech will likely only take another defensive back if it's 4-star recruit Kalon Gervin. He's a priority for the Hokies right now, and is one of the top recruits left on the board.
Steward visits Tech and Wake Forest
Three-star running back Caleb Steward visited Virginia Tech last week, just before taking a trip to Wake Forest.
https://twitter.com/Caleb_Steward/status/875178744780120065
Steward is one of the top running backs left on the board for Virginia Tech, along with Anthony Grant and Mataeo Durant. The 5-foot-10, 203-pound back from Ed White High School in Jacksonville, Fla. visited with his teammate, Class of 2019 offensive lineman Deandre Telfair. Virginia Tech sits in a good position with Steward, but he might want to commit soon if Tech is his personal leader. The Hokies are planning on only taking one running back in the Class of 2018.
Recruits Coming Close to Decision Time
Four-star defensive tackle Alim McNeill dropped a top-six list last week, including Virginia Tech.
That's a pretty solid top-six, and Virginia Tech making that final group means more when you consider McNeill holds offers from Michigan, Florida, Clemson, South Carolina and several other Power 5 programs.
McNeill is the only defensive tackle left on the board that Virginia Tech is considering a take. The Hokies already hold commitments from Joe Kane and Cam Goode, and can probably make room for McNeill, if he wants on board. He's an incredibly athletic player who is one of the most talented recruits on the entire target board, offense or defense.
Speaking of defensive tackles, lineman Bryson Williams listed Virginia Tech in his top-five he released this weekend.
https://twitter.com/brysonjw_18/status/875894373736738816
Williams probably isn't coming to Virginia Tech anyway, even if he was a take. The 6-foot-2, 290-pound defensive tackle was offered just before Goode committed, and isn't higher on the board than Alim McNeill. Unless Tech is recruiting Williams as an offensive lineman, which hasn't been reported at all, he won't be a Hokie in the future.
The previously mentioned Mataeo Durant narrowed his recruitment down to five schools this weekend as well â Virginia Tech, Duke, Wake Forest, Georgia Tech and Wofford. The 6-foot, 180-pound tailback is rated as a 3-star running back by Rivals, and is one of the takes at running back for Virginia Tech. At this point, it's first come, first serve for both Steward and Durant. Grant, who's reportedly leaning towards Tennessee at the moment, is likely a take either way.
Defensive back Tanner Ingle also seems to be getting close to a decision.
https://twitter.com/TannerIngle/status/876481075484262401
Ingle released a top-10 last week, narrowing his list to Vanderbilt, Stanford, Missouri, North Carolina, Tennessee, Wisconsin, Boston College, Syracuse, NC State and Virginia Tech. Virginia Tech figured to be in great position for Ingle, who is teammates with 2018 commit Braxton Clark and former teammates with incoming freshman Robert Porcher IV. However, with fewer and fewer spots remaining at defensive back, it's unclear where Ingle is on the board.
New Scholarship Offers
As usual, Virginia Tech issued new several scholarship offers last week. Here they are...
Class of 2018: defensive back Jermaine Waller
Class of 2019: defensive back Nick Cross and tight end Nick Gallo
Class of 2020: defensive back Luke Hill and wide receiver Rakim Jarrett
Waller was offered before Nadir Thompson committed and given the number of defensive backs left on the board for the Hokies, his offer is likely not committable.
Gallo, the brother of current offensive lineman Eric Gallo, camped at Virginia Tech on Saturday and flashed some serious talent. Nick impressed coaches and reporters alike, and earned an offer. Virginia Tech is the first Power 5 offer for the 6-foot-4 tight end.
Cross is a name to keep an eye on. The 6-foot-1, 200-pound defensive back holds several Power 5 offers so far, and comes from DMV powerhouse Dematha Catholic.