Two Targets Set To Announce
This week, Virginia Tech will find out where two of its top remaining class of 2014 targets will be headed. First up is 6'5", 275-pound Brady Taylor , an offensive tackle prospect out of Bishop Ready in Columbus, Ohio.
After recently narrowing the field to three, Taylor tweeted that "There will only be 2 hats on the table" when he reveals his decision in front of family and friends on Monday, July 29. Kentucky and Virginia Tech are the two schools left standing for Taylor, who will announce his choice at approximately 6 pm. Gone from the list is West Virginia.
All four of Virginia Tech's current offensive line commitments are likely to play on the interior line. If he commits, Taylor would be the first true offensive tackle recruit in Tech's class.
On Saturday, Stonewall Jackson (Manassas, VA) rising senior athlete Greg Stroman will announce his college choice at a 2 pm press conference at his high school. The 6'0", 165-pound athlete will choose Duke, Virginia, or Virginia Tech.
Stroman earned a full scholarship offer from Virginia Tech following a strong performance at the Hokies' one-day camp on June 2. Tech was the first major offer he received, with UVa following suit one week later. Stroman has taken unofficial visits to all three finalists, including multiple visits to Charlottesville and Blacksburg.
The consensus is that the speedy athlete will likely stay in-state. The big question is which in-state program will he choose? It's a toss-up in my opinion.
As the leader of Stonewall Jackson's offense, Stroman passed for 2,038 yards with 21 touchdowns and rushed for 1,013 yards with 14 scores his junior season. He also plays cornerback, the position he is being recruited to play by Tech and UVa.
Last Week's News & Notes (Class of 2014)
- Wide receiver target Noah Brown of Pope John XXIII (Sparta, N.J.) made two unofficial visits this past week, heading to Ohio State on July 24 and Vanderbilt on July 26. Multiple outlets now report that Ohio State is the team to beat for the 6'2", 210-pound rising senior.
I'll check in this week with Brown for the latest, including where Virginia Tech stands for his signature. Earlier in the summer, he revealed a top eight that included Michigan State, North Carolina, Ohio State, Rutgers, South Carolina, Southern Cal, Vanderbilt, and Virginia Tech.
Virginia Tech made the final six for another Pope John XXIII standout, rising senior tight end Ryan Izzo . Izzo is also considering Florida State, Iowa, Rutgers, Southern Cal, and Wisconsin.
- Providence (Charlotte, N.C.) rising senior wide receiver Austin Proehl seemed all set to decide between VT and Wake Forest... until North Carolina came through with an offer. On Sunday night, Proehl tweeted that he had accepted the Tar Heels offer.
Virginia Tech offered Proehl at its July 13 camp.
- New Castle (PA) wide receiver/safety Malik Hooker has narrowed his list to six schools per ESPN.com. The schools still in the running for the 6'2", 185-pound prospect are: Michigan, Ohio State, Penn State, Pittsburgh, Virginia Tech, and West Virginia.
- Spring Valley (S.C.) rising senior linebacker Christian Miller has verbally committed to Alabama. He originally committed to Florida before reopening his recruitment. Virginia Tech, which reportedly had offered, never seemed to be a serious player here.
VT Recruiting Recap
To date, Virginia Tech has received 14 verbal commitments in the class of 2014. The position breakdown includes 1 quarterback ( Andrew Ford ), 1 running back ( Marshawn Williams ), 1 wide receiver ( Jaylen Bradshaw ), 1 tight end/defensive lineman ( Xavier Burke ), 4 offensive linemen ( Eric Gallo , Billy Ray Mitchell , Colt Pettit , and Tyrell Smith ), 1 defensive end ( Vinny Mihota ), 1 cornerback ( Terrell Edmunds ), 1 safety ( CJ Reavis ) and 3 athletes ( Javon Harrison , Travon McMillian and Shawn Payne ).
Place-kicker Michael Santamaria says he has accepted a gray-shirt scholarship opportunity as well.
We expect this class to end up in the 20-22 range in terms of overall prospects.