Signing Day: February 6, 2008
Calendar: Recruiting is currently in a Dead period, but the Dead period lets up for tomorrow thru Sunday, which is a Quiet period. Following the brief Quiet period, there is another Dead Period from the 7th-10th. There is another Quiet period on January 11th and 12th before the Contact Period resumes until February 3rd.
During a Dead period, no official or unofficial visits may take place and college coaches cannot visit recruits. Coaches can call prospects once a week. During a Quiet period, official and unofficial visits may take place and college coaches can visit high schools. In-home visits are not allowed at this time. During the Contact period, college coaches may make in-home visits, visit schools and official and unofficial visits may take place.
Virginia Tech commitments from high school seniors: 23
Breakdown by position:
RB (1): Tony Gregory, First Colonial (Virginia Beach, VA)
WR (3): Jarrett Boykin, Butler (Matthews, N.C.); D.J. Coles, Goochland (VA); Dyrell Roberts, Smithfield (VA)
WR/DB (3): Ben Barber, Edison (Alexandria, VA); Xavier Boyce, Landstown (Virginia Beach, VA); Austin Fuller, Richlands (VA)
TE (1): Eric Martin, Hylton (Woodbridge, VA)
OL (2): Vinston Painter, Maury (Norfolk, VA); Michael Via, Northeast Guilford (McLeansville, N.C.)
OL/DL (1): Bobby Massie, Liberty Christian Academy (Lynchburg, VA)
DL/OL (1): Nick Becton, New Hanover (Wilmington, N.C.)
DE (2): Isaiah Hamlette, Brooke Point (Stafford, VA); Antoine Hopkins, Highland Springs (VA)
LB (4): Lyndell Gibson, Salem (Virginia Beach, VA); Jake Johnson, Stafford (Falmouth, VA); Allen Stephens, Halifax County (South Boston, VA); Bruce Taylor, Myrtle Beach (S.C.)
CB (2): Eddie Whitley, Butler (Matthews, N.C.); Lorenzo Williams, Westover (Fayetteville, N.C.)
S (1): Jeron Gouveia, Stone Bridge (Ashburn, VA)
DB (1): Peter Rose, Amherst (VA)
ATH (1): Derrick McCoy, Amherst (VA)
Holdovers from the 2007 recruiting class (players that have signed but who are currently attending prep school)
Quillie Odom, LB, Hargrave
Kendrick Pressley, WR/DB, Hargrave
D.J. Thomas, RB/CB, Hargrave
Commit spotlight: Filling a need
Heading into this 2008 recruiting class, one of the more pressing needs for Virginia Tech was stockpiling the wide receiver position. The Tech coaches have assembled an impressive group of athletes to this point, though not all of these athletes will ultimately play receiver at Virginia Tech. First, let's look at the ones that are all but certain to line up at receiver when they wear the maroon and orange.
Smithfield's Dyrell Roberts moved up to TSL's #2 overall prospect in the state after a terrific senior season. The 6-2, 190-pound senior, a running back in high school, rushed for 2,236 yards and scored a total of 38 touchdowns this season, earning Daily Press Offensive Player of the Year and 1st-team all-state Group AA honors for his performance. Roberts will definitely move to receiver at Virginia Tech and has played some receiver in high school. With terrific quickness, agility, elusiveness and hands, he has outstanding upside at the wide receiver position.
Like Roberts, Goochland's D.J. Coles was a running back in high school but will play receiver once he gets to Virginia Tech. A strong, physically-impressive performer with good speed, the 6-3, 200-pound Coles rushed for 1,344 yards and 22 touchdowns this season, averaging 14 yards per carry. The 1st-team all-state performer has big-play ability, but he may have to prep before arriving at Virginia Tech.
Heading to the state of North Carolina, Jarrett Boykin gives Tech another physically impressive receiver prospect. The 6-2, 190-pound Boykin, a standout on a talented Butler (Matthews, N.C.) squad, caught 60 passes for 1,252 yards and 14 touchdowns in his senior season, earning 1st-team AP all-state honors.
Roberts, Coles and Boykin will play wide receiver at Virginia Tech. Here are some other possibilities as well...
Ben Barber - 6-0, 200 pounds, Edison
The National District Offensive Player of the Year in 2007, Barber, a quarterback this year after being an all-state receiver in 2006, plans to enroll at Tech this month. He'll likely start out at wide receiver, but defensive back (safety or rover) is an option.
Xavier Boyce - 6-4, 200 pounds, Landstown
Boyce's senior season was cut short after he suffered a separated left shoulder in his team's third game of the season. But Boyce impressed the VT staff with his potential to play wide receiver, although safety or linebacker could be options down the line.
Austin Fuller - 6-2, 195 pounds, Richlands
The 1st-team all-state performer racked up 15 touchdowns on offense and picked off six passes on defense in 2007. He has excellent hands at wide receiver, but speed could be a question on the next level. He could also play safety, rover, linebacker or perhaps tight end at Virginia Tech.
Derrick McCoy - 6-3, 210 pounds, Amherst
McCoy could be a big, physical wide receiver, but I believe he'll end up at linebacker or defensive end at Tech. He earned 1st-team all-state honors at defensive end in his senior season.
Peter Rose - 6-1, 180 pounds, Amherst
Rose, the AP selection for Group AA Player of the Year in 2007, passed for 1,133 yards and rushed for 1,790 yards this season in leading Amherst to a second consecutive state championship. He scored a total of 27 touchdowns. He projects initially as a defensive back (likely corner) at Tech, but wide receiver could be an option.
Overview...
Virginia Tech has commitments from 23 high school seniors. This does not include commitments from previous signees from the 2007 recruiting class, including Hargrave prospects Quillie Odom, Kendrick Pressley and D.J. Thomas. There are a lot of targets remaining and not many spots left, so let's try to take a look at where Virginia Tech may go from here.
The numbers game will get very interesting. First of all, Ben Barber is included in the 23 commits but he will enroll this month, meaning he does not necessarily have to count towards the 25 player-limit for 2008. Secondly, expect several of the committed players to head to prep school. OL/DL Bobby Massie is already planning to go to Hargrave. WR D.J. Coles seems likely to head there as well. RB Tony Gregory, LB Allen Stephens and ATH Derrick McCoy all have work to do in the classroom to make the grade.
Another factor to consider is what happens with the 2007 holdovers. Odom is assured a spot if he qualifies, but it would be nice for the staff if he can make the necessary test score now and enroll in January. If not, he'll sign again in February and will count towards the 2008 class. If Kendrick Pressley does not make the standards for January enrollment, there is a chance that he may well not have a spot at all. D.J. Thomas' situation remains very much in the air. It seems likely that D.J. may have to go the JUCO route or perhaps head elsewhere for college depending on what happens in his second semester at Hargrave.
Confused yet? Well, these are the things the staff has to consider with its remaining spots. I see Tech taking about 4-6 more recruits in this class, but of course the situation could be a fluid one depending on certain academic situations such as Quillie Odom's. The bottom line is that Virginia Tech is in a position where it may have to turn away top talents depending on the numbers and who commits at what time. While it is a tough thing to do, it is not a bad situation to be in.
With the remaining spots, I see adding another quality defensive end as the prime need. Virginia Tech is in good shape to at least reel in one of Joe Jones, Leon Mackey or Devin Taylor. Landing two from this group would be outstanding. Ryan Williams would be my top overall target, as he would bring a game-breaking running back to the fold.
TARGETS
(Sorted alphabetically and by position. These are players we have confirmed as having an offer from Virginia Tech.)
QB
Ju-Ju Clayton - 6-2, 205 pounds, Hermitage (Richmond, VA)
Contenders: Virginia Tech, William & Mary
TSL’s take: Clayton is being recruited as a grey-shirt, meaning the staff would like for him to enroll in January of 2009. This gives the staff added flexibility in this class. Clayton plans to take an official visit to Tech and William & Mary this month.
RB
Ryan Williams - 5-11, 205 pounds, Stonewall Jackson (Manassas, VA)
Contenders: Boston College, Virginia Tech
TSL’s take: Williams will announce his decision on Saturday at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl game. The coverage begins at 1 p.m. on NBC, so stay tuned on Saturday.
Kevin Whaley - 5-11, 170 pounds, Salem (Virginia Beach, VA)
Contenders: Connecticut (OV - 12/01/07), Maryland, Virginia, Virginia Tech
TSL’s take: It is not clear at this point exactly where he stands on Virginia Tech's radar, and if the Hokies get Ryan Williams then he almost certainly would not be in the coaches' plans.
WR
Marcus Davis - 6-5, 215 pounds, Ocean Lakes (Virginia Beach, VA)
Contenders: Connecticut (OV - 12/01/07), Penn State (OV - 12/08/07), North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia Tech
TSL’s take: I believe this race will come down to Tennessee and Virginia Tech. He just didn't seem too enthusiastic about his December trip to Penn State. Look for Davis to make official visits to each program this month before coming to a decision.
Note: Davis is being recruited as a WR/QB by Virginia Tech. If he signs with the Hokies, look for him to start out at WR but to get a look at QB as well.
Randall Dunn, 6-3, 212 pounds, Ocean Lakes (Virginia Beach, VA)
Contenders: Virginia Tech (01/18/08) leads North Carolina, (01/11/08), Virginia (01/25/08), Connecticut (OV - 12/01/07)
Chris' take: It seems inevitable that Dunn will commit to Virginia Tech, and I think it could well happen after his official visit on the 18th.
Malcolm Johnson - 6-0, 165 pounds, Bartow (FL)
Contenders: Arkansas, Central Florida, Illinois, Kansas, Rutgers (OV - 12/15/07), Virginia Tech
TSL’s take: Johnson reportedly is still interested in visiting Virginia Tech, but Tech likely does not have room at this point.
TE
Dwayne Allen - 6-4, 230 pounds, Sanford (Fayetteville, N.C.)
Contenders: Georgia (OV - 11/10/07) leads Florida State, North Carolina, Virginia Tech
TSL’s take: One of the top tight end prospects in the country, Allen loved an unofficial visit to Virginia Tech for the Boston College game last fall. He is still a soft commit to Georgia, but at this point he plans to make official visits to other schools in January and February. If he makes an official visit to Tech, I think the Hokies would have a legit shot.
DT
Dwight Tucker - 6-2, 275 pounds, Oviedo (FL)
Contenders: Tennessee (01/11/08), Virginia Tech (OV - 12/08/07)
TSL’s take: Tucker enjoyed his official visit to Virginia Tech but claims no favorite between Tech and Tennessee. He will make an official visit to Tennessee next weekend and a decision could come soon after. If one of the Big 3 Florida schools comes in with an offer, do not be surprised if he looks to stay in state.
DE
Joe Jones - 6-3, 245 pounds, Green Run (Virginia Beach, VA)
Contenders: Tennessee (OV - 01/18), Virginia Tech (OV - 01/25) lead Connecticut, Maryland
TSL’s take: I like Tech's chances here, but Jones wants to make official visits to Tech and Tennessee before committing anywhere. He has never visited either program, so the official visits will be key.
Leon Mackey - 6-5, 275 pounds, Hargrave Military Academy (Newark, DE)
Contenders: Florida State (OV, 12/08), North Carolina (01/18/08), N.C. State (01/11/08, Virginia Tech (01/25/08)
TSL’s take: Mackey reportedly had a great visit to Florida State, so the Seminoles are certainly a factor here. But he will make more official visits this month and Virginia Tech does have a chance.
Devin Taylor - 6-6, 215 pounds, Beaufort (S.C.)
Contenders: Kentucky, South Carolina (OV - 12/01), Virginia Tech (01/18), Wake Forest
TSL’s take: Though he does not name a leader, look for this race to come down to South Carolina and Virginia Tech. Taylor has never visited Tech, but he plans to make an official visit on January 18th.
DB
T.J. Lawrence - 6-1, 190 pounds, Kathleen Senior (Lakeland, FL)
Contenders: Florida (01/11/08), South Carolina (01/18/08), Virginia Tech (11/15/07)
TSL’s take: Virginia Tech remains in the running for Lawrence, but Lawrence plans to make official visits to his other favorites this month.