With just over a month until Signing Day, the Hokies have a few targets remaining on their recruiting board. Tech currently has 25 verbal commitments for the 2014 class, and it's clear that they intend to oversign this year.
Click here to open the list of 2014 commitments in a new browser windowTSL does not include 2013 signees who did not qualify as 2014 recruits. Other sites list those players twice, which serves to give two VT recruiting classes a bump, but we feel like that's not the proper way to operate for us. Therefore, Holland Fisher, Cequan Jefferson and DJ Reid are not counted towards the 2014 totals. They remain in the 2013 class.
There has been some question as to whether or not placekicker Michael Santamaria will be on scholarship. According to Santamaria, he will be on schlarship from day one, and that brings Tech's total of committed prospects up to 25.
With the prospects remaining on board, I could see the Hokies taking anywhere from 3-5 more prospects in the 2014 class. Let's start with those prospects who currently have offers...
DT Derrick Nnadi, 6-2, 305, Ocean Lakes (VA Beach)
Nnadi is Virginia Tech's top remaining target. Things will likely come down to Virginia Tech and Florida State, while Ohio State and Penn State remain in the picture as well. His last scheduled visit is to Virginia Tech on January 24. He has already visisted Florida State and Penn State.
I like Tech's position for Nnadi, who ranks as one of the top defensive tackles in the country. He is a guy who would be expected to contribute immediately, and he is a great fit for defensive tackle in Tech's scheme (or just about any other scheme, for that matter).
Nnadi's recruitment reminds me a bit of Wyatt Teller's. He was considered a UVA lean early in the process, but now the Hokies have the advantage among the in-state schools. I remember writing last summer that the longer his recruitment went on, the better Tech's chances would be, and that turned out to be true. He eliminated the Hoos long ago.
My pick: Virginia Tech
LB Raymon Minor, 6-3, 220, Benedictine (Richmond)
Minor has been considered a big Virginia Tech lean from the very beginning, and I haven't seen anything to indicate that he'll end up anywhere else. He just wants to be sure, and you can't blame him for that.
Virginia Tech's top competition for Minor are Nebraska and Miami. He's already visited Nebraska, and he has scheduled a visit for Miami as well. He had other big offers such as Clemson, Ohio State and Wisconsin as well.
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Minor is a prime candidate to play the backer position in Bud Foster's defense. I don't think he'll make his final decision until he completes his official visits, but he could surprise me.
My pick: Virginia Tech
WR Isaiah Ford, 6-2, 165, Trinity Christian (Jacksonville, FL)
Ford has been committed to Louisville for months, but he wants to play basketball as well as football in college. At this point, it's a two horse race between the Hokies and the Cardinals. Early playing time is also a big issue for Ford, and he knows he would have a chance to see the field early at Tech.
Ford is a very good wide receiver recruit who also holds offers from Florida State, Ohio State, South Carolina, Florida, and others. The Hokies are clearly trying to upgrade their wide receiver corps, and Ford remains a top priority.
I like Ford's talents a lot, but if Rick Pitino also gives him the opportunity to play basketball at Louisville, I believe that will be difficult for him to turn down.
My pick: Louisville
RB Anthony Scott, 5-10, 180, Green Run (VA Beach)
Tech offered Anthony Scott at the conclusion of his senior season. His final three at this point are Tech, ECU and ODU.
I'm not certain that Scott still holds that Virginia Tech offer. Since he got the offer, the Hokies have received commitments from 4-star running back Shai McKenzie, as well as athlete Tabyus Taylor who could also play running back in college. Throw in Marshawn Williams, and is there any reason to take another running back in this class?
Scott's recruitment is quiet, and I'll be the first to admit that I have no idea what's going on. I could see the Hokies continuing to pursue him, and if running back doesn't work out, they could move him to the secondary. I could also see them backing off, as they've already got plenty of backs in this class.
My pick: ECU
Two other prospects are also being heavily monitored by Virginia Tech. They may or may not receiver scholarship offers.
DE Kevin Bronson, 6-3, 245, Village Academy (Delray Beach, FL)
Charley Wiles has been recruiting Kevin Bronson for the last couple of years, though the Hokies have yet to offer. Rutgers was the long-rumored favorite, along with USF, but Bronston has picked up late offers from Florida and South Carolina.
I would expect Bronson to pick between Tech (if he gets the offer), Florida and South Carolina in the end. He is friends with current Tech defensive linemen Luther Maddy and Dadi Nicolas, and Charley Wiles has recruited him longer than anyone.
This is just my gut feeling: if he gets an offer from Virginia Tech, I think he'll accept it. Qualifying could be an issue, but it would be good to get a defensive end in the fold in this class.
LB Jay Payton, 6-2, 235, Atlanta Sports Academy (by way of Archbishop Carroll in DC)
Virginia Tech has been recruiting Payton since the season began, but he has yet to receive a scholarship offer. There are several reasons for this...
1: Payton has never worked out for the Tech staff because prep school players are not allowed to work out in person for college coaches.
2: He still hasn't qualified.
3: He's a tweener. He plays linebacker, but he always lines up on the edge and rushes the passer like a defensive end. If he plays linebacker, can he cover? Is he better suited for defensive end? It's tough to say.
My gut feeling is that Payton ends up somewhere else. However, the Hokies are the clear favorite if they do elect to offer.
A Big Class
By taking such a big class, the Tech coaching staff is clearly trying to get some new blood in the program. It wouldn't surprise me to see another name or two emerge over the next month. This staff is clearly turning over every rock, particularly on the offensive side of the ball. The Chris Durkin switch from Michigan State to Virginia Tech is proof.
As far as the numbers go, I'll leave you with my usual word of warning: don't worry about the numbers. The numbers will take care of themselves, either through attrition, grayshirting or players failing to qualify. if the Hokies can close with Nnadi and Minor, that will put the finishing touches on a very nice class.