In this "Countdown To Signing Day" feature, I'll let you know where we are in the recruiting process, where Virginia Tech's class of 2015 stands in terms of rankings, and what storylines to follow this weekend.

Recruiting Calendar

A Contact Period is in effect until February 1, which is a Quiet Period. A Dead Period takes place from February 2-5. During the Contact Period, coaches can make in-home visits with prospects. Prospects can make official visits to schools during the Contact and Quiet periods, but they cannot visit schools or meet with coaches during a Dead Period.

National Signing Day is Wednesday, February 4.

Virginia Tech's Class of 2015

Seven recruits - Adonis Alexander (S), Xavier Burke (TE), Austin Clark (OL), Carson Lydon (LB), Yosuah Nijman (DE), Mook Reynolds (CB) and Tyrell Smith (OL) - are due to arrive in Blacksburg today and start classes on Tuesday. Virginia Tech currently has 16 verbal commitments who are expected to sign on February 4.

Tech's class is ranked no. 20 nationally by Rivals, no. 23 in the nation by 247Sports, no. 23 in the nation by ESPN, and no. 33 in the nation by Scout. All except Scout count Virginia Tech as having 23 recruits. Scout does not include Xavier Burke and Tyrell Smith, who signed with the Hokies in 2014 but needed a postgraduate semester before enrolling.

Storylines To Follow This Weekend Of January 16-18

There are no official visitors scheduled to be in Blacksburg this weekend. If that changes we'll let you know, but if not there are still some storylines to follow this weekend.

- Per Twitter, Hopewell (VA) 4-star defensive end Darrell Taylor has indicated that he is 100-percent solid in his commitment to Tennessee. Obviously it looks very likely that Tennessee will win out, but I suspect the Virginia Tech coaches will hold out hope until the LOI is in.

- Virginia Tech commitment Houshun Gaines, a defensive end out of Nash Central (Rocky Mount, N.C.), is in Vanderbilt on an official visit. The 6’4”, 225-pound prospect still plans to take officials to VT (next weekend) and UVa (January 30-February). I would be surprised if he does not end up a Hokie, although he is in Nashville right now so we'll see what happens.

- Royal Palm Beach (West Palm Beach, FL) offensive tackle Fredrick Johnson committed to Virginia Tech last September only to de-commit less than two months later. Tech isn't giving up hope, though, as the Hokies reportedly were represented at Royal Palm Beach High School (West Palm Beach, FL) yesterday.

Johnson will take an official visit to Miami this weekend, and many feel he could commit to the Hurricanes soon.

- Atlantic (Delray Beach, FL), defensive end target Shelton Johnson, who made an official visit to Tech in December, will make an official to Michigan this weekend. He is also scheduled to take official visits to Miami (next weekend) and Florida State (Jan. 30-Feb. 1). VT reportedly visited with him yesterday.

The Hokies remain in serious contention for Johnson. It could be tough to pry him away from the Florida schools, though, and it'll be interesting to see if Jim Harbaugh can get any traction this weekend.

- Virginia Tech is reportedly giving American Heritage (Delray Beach, FL) senior punter/place-kicker Nick Rubinowicz a close look.