With just two weeks remaining until Signing Day, Virginia Tech, as it has been since last August, is pretty much finished with the 2007 recruiting class. Currently, the class is rated #17 in the nation by Scout.com and #20 in the nation by Rivals.com. There are a few targets remaining, however, so let’s take a look at what’s in store for these final weeks.
Signing Day: February 7, 2007
Calendar: Recruiting is currently in the Contact period. November 26th marks the beginning of the Contact period. During this period, coaches can make in-home visits to recruits. Here is the definition per NCAA.org…
Contact period: November 26, 2006, through February 3, 2007.
Six in-person off-campus contacts per prospective student-athlete shall be permitted during this time period with not more than one permitted in any one calendar week (Sunday through Saturday) or partial calendar week.
Exceptions up until Signing Day: February 4th is a Quiet period. February 5-8 is a Dead period.
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Virginia Tech commitments: 21
Breakdown by position:
QB (1): Tyrod Taylor, Hampton (VA)
RB (2): Darren Evans, Warren Central (Indianapolis, IN)
WR (2): Danny Coale, Episcopal (VA); Patrick Terry, Halifax County (VA)
TE (3): Chris Drager, Thomas Jefferson (Jefferson City, PA); Rhett Ellison, St. Francis (Mountain View, CA); Andrew Lanier, Dorman (Roebuck, SC)
TE/OT (1): Greg Nosal, Kellam (Virginia Beach, VA)
OL (4): William Alvarez, Hylton (Woodbridge, VA); Jaymes Brooks, Denbigh (Newport News, VA); Blake DeChristopher, Clover Hill (Midlothian, VA); Khalil Latif, Manchester (Midlothian, VA)
DL (3): Kwamaine Battle, Southern Nash (Bailey, N.C.); Courtney Prince, Gwynn Park (Brandywine, MD); Justin Young, Northwest (Germantown, MD)
LB (3): Quillie Odom, Osbourn Park (Manassas, VA); Hunter Ovens, Cardinal Mooney (Sarasota, FL); Barquell Rivers, Anson County (N.C.)
CB/WR (1): Cris Hill, Highland Springs (VA)
S (1): Davon Morgan, Varina (VA)
ATH (1): Alonzo Tweedy, Hermitage (Richmond, VA)
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Remaining targets with offers:
Breakdown by position:
OL: Desmond Roberts, Northampton (Gaston, N.C.)
DE: Michael Connolly, Cardinal Mooney (Sarasota, FL) (note: Connolly currently only has an offer to walk-on and have a scholarship by his second year)
DT: Chima Okoli, Salem (Virginia Beach, VA)
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Recent news and notes…
Virginia Tech will host three-star OL recruit Desmond Roberts on an official visit this weekend. At this time, he is the only target scheduled to be in Blacksburg for an official this weekend. … Virginia Tech head coach Frank Beamer and defensive line coach Charley Wiles stopped by Cardinal Mooney (Sarasota, FL) DE Michael Connolly’s house last week. At this time, nothing has changed in terms of Connolly’s offer status (which is stated above). … DL Chima Okoli made his official visit to Virginia Tech last weekend. It is currently a two-team race along with Penn State, which is where Okoli visits this weekend. … Virginia Tech no longer appears to be in the picture for Victory Christian (Charlotte, N.C.) DE Kourtnei Brown. Brown visited Alabama and Clemson and is also considering UNC. … Top DT recruit Tydreke Powell cancelled his previously scheduled official visit to Virginia Tech after making a commitment to UNC last weekend. … Phoebus OL/DL Maurice Hampton committed to Maryland and will not make an official visit to Virginia Tech. He chose the Terrapins after making an official visit to College Park last weekend.
Targets overview
TARGETS
Michael Connolly - DE; 6-2, 240 pounds; Cardinal Mooney (Sarasota, FL)
Recruitment: Connolly made an official visit to Kansas on the weekend of January 6th. He will go to Florida International on an official visit this weekend and is considering an official visit to Virginia Tech for the weekend of February 2nd.
TSL’s take: Connolly’s offer status has not changed following an in-home meeting with Coach Beamer and Coach Wiles last week. Virginia Tech is recruiting him as a first-year walk-on with a scholarship coming in the second year. He is considering the option. Right now, he is considering all options except for prep school – he wants to be in college next fall.
Desmond Roberts - OL; 6-5, 265 pounds; Northampton (Gaston, N.C.)
Recruitment: Roberts has been to N.C. State and Penn State on official visits this month. He will go to Virginia Tech this weekend and plans to make a final decision after this visit.
TSL’s take: Unless Virginia Tech really blows Roberts away this weekend, look for him to sign with the Wolfpack on February 7th.
Chima Okoli - DL; 6-5, 270 pounds; Salem (Virginia Beach, VA)
Recruitment: Okoli has taken official visits to Marshall, Michigan State and Virginia Tech. He goes to Penn State this weekend in what will very likely be his final official visit.
TSL’s take: Okoli had a very good visit to Virginia Tech last weekend, but he told TSL on Sunday night that Penn State and Virginia Tech are tied at the top. Probably not great news for Tech, as Okoli has an official visit to Penn State this weekend. Michigan State is still under consideration, but this is currently a two-team race with this weekend being the breaker.
Commentary
Things have been pretty slow as far as Virginia Tech is concerned, but, as alluded to in last week’s ‘Countdown’, that is not necessarily a bad thing for the Hokies. Okoli and Roberts are really the only two remaining targets left on the board for Tech, as it looks doubtful that the staff will make a regular offer to Connolly. Should Okoli and/or Roberts want to come aboard, I believe the staff would take them. The coaches would like to have Connolly, but do not appear willing to offer a regular scholarship. He would not be a bad pick-up at defensive end, really the only position Tech has not recruited well this year. The three defensive line commits – Kwamaine Battle, Courtney Prince and Justin Young – probably will end up as defensive tackles.
So, as we come closer and closer to February 7th - the day this heralded class officially becomes Virginia Tech Hokies, the Tech staff is busy recruiting these final few targets but are continuing to focus on 2008 recruiting. Look for Coach Beamer and company to be on the road for the remainder of this contact period, continuing to stop by schools to evaluate junior prospects.
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