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Today we'll look at where the Hokies stand for the top 15 prospects in the state of Virginia. But first, let's talk a little bit about Clelin Ferrell and why it's becoming increasingly harder for the Hokies to recruit defensive linemen.
Lack of NFL Players hurts Hokies in DL Recruiting
Clelin Ferrell was considered to be a heavy Virginia Tech lean throughout the recruiting process. Yesterday, the Richmond native committed to Clemson. Why?As time goes by, I think we're seeing more and more schools point out to defensive line recruits the lack of success that Virginia Tech has had in putting defensive linemen in the NFL. As far as Clelin Ferrell and Clemson goes, all the Tigers had to point out was the number of defensive ends taken in the draft in recent years. Even though Tech's defense has been much better than Clemson's in that span, the Tigers have had a lot more defensive ends move on to the NFL.
Recent Clemson defensive end draftees…
2013: Malliciah Goodman, 4th round
2012: Andre Branch, 2nd round
2011: Jarvis Jenkins, 2nd round
2011: Da'Quan Bowers, 2nd round
2010: Ricky Sapp, 5th round
2008: Phillip Merling, 2nd round
2007: Gaines Adams, 1st round
Meanwhile, here are Virginia Tech's drafted defensive ends in that same span…
2010: Jason Worilds, 2nd round
2008: Chris Ellis, 3rd round
VT fans call Tech "DBU" because of the number of defensive backs the Hokies put in the NFL. Clemson has had seven defensive ends drafted since 2007, which is an average of one per season. That's pretty darn good, and it makes Clemson an easy sell for defensive end recruits. They could just about call themselves "D-End U."
Besides selling themselves, Clemson can also recruit against the Hokies by pointing out that only two Virginia Tech defensive ends have been drafted in recent years. You and I both know that if Tech got defensive ends who were prototypical 4-3 ends that they would most certainly be excellent players and would be developed into NFL Draft picks. They would do very well in Tech's system. Clelin Ferrell would do every bit as well at Tech as he would do at Clemson, and he would be just as ready for the NFL. Same for Josh Sweat. However, the Hokies struggled to land players like that in the past, and now that only a handful of their ends were drafted, it's being used them on the recruiting trail.
It's not "negative" recruiting by Clemson or any other school. Those coaches are paid big bucks by their schools to win as many football games as you can, and you do that by getting the best players you can get. It's part of the game. And ultimately, it's true isn't it? Clemson has put more defensive ends in the NFL than Virginia Tech. While we could break that down and play the ifs ands and buts game, what's the point? Recruits pay attention to black and white, and not shades of gray.
I don't think that's something that's going to get better anytime soon. The Hokies don't have any senior defensive ends this year. Dadi Nicolas isn't an NFL defensive end. Ken Ekanem is only a sophomore. It is what it is. From a recruiting standpoint, James Gayle might have done more for the program had he left for the NFL early in his career when he was once considered a second or third round pick.
In-State Forecast: Bleak and Dreary
Here's an update on the top 15 prospects in the state of Virginia, per 247's rankings.
#1: DE Josh Sweat, Oscar Smith, Chesapeake
Not much has changed in Josh Sweat's recruitment. The Hokies probably lead right now, but he hasn't visited any other schools yet. He is scheduled to visit Tennessee and Georgia in a couple of weeks, and other visits could be coming up at a later date. Many think that Georgia could be a major factor in his recruitment.
Expect Sweat to get the Clelin Ferrell treatment. It will be pointed out to him that Virginia Tech doesn't historically put defensive ends in the NFL. I think Sweat likes Tech a lot, and he really likes Bryan Stinespring and the coaching staff. However, the longer his recruitment lasts, the more exposure he'll get to other schools, and the more he'll hear about Tech's lack of NFL defensive ends.
#2: DT Tim Settle, Stonewall Jackson, Manassas
In his last recruiting update, Settle listed Virginia Tech as the #7 school on his list behind Tennessee, Alabama, Clemson, FSU, Texas and UVA (in that order). The chances of him signing with the Hokies are very small.
#3: OT Matthew Burrell, Jr., Woodbridge, CD Hylton
Yesterday, Burrell released his top 15 schools. They are: Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, LSU, Michigan, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Penn State, South Carolina, Texas, Texas A&M and Iowa (Iowa? Really?). Despite liking his visit to Tech, it didn't stand out enough for him to include the Hokies in his top 15.
#4: ATH Jaason Lewis, Virginia Beach, Ocean Lakes
Lewis has had a drama-filled recruitment, most recently backing out of his commitment to UCLA. He is a warm weather city guy who has never showed any interest in Virginia Tech. He's now talking up schools like Miami, Florida and UCF (see a trend?). Tech isn't involved right now, nor are they likely to ever be heavily involved with Lewis.
#5: CB Garrett Taylor, Richmond, St. Christopher's
Despite Tech's reputation for developing top defensive backs, Garrett Taylor never showed any interest in the Hokies and committed to Michigan very early in the process.
#6: DE Clelin Ferrell, Richmond, Benedictine
Despite being considered a Tech lean throughout the process, Ferrell committed to Clemson over the Hokies and South Carolina on Wednesday. I don't see Tech being able to get back in this one.
#7: LB/DE Ricky DeBerry Jr., Richmond, St. Christopher's
Ricky DeBerry legitimately likes Virginia Tech, though to me he's a bit of a tweener. 247 lists him at 6-2.5 and 255. If that size is accurate, then he is already bigger than any linebacker in Tech history, and also bigger than any defensive end recruit that I can remember.
DeBerry says Tech will make his final list of eight schools, which he hopes to release in August. I don't feel great about Tech's chances though, and I'm not even sure which position DeBerry would play if he did pick the Hokies. Right now he seems to like Clemson anyway, if you can believe this Tweet that he sent Clelin Ferrell yesterday.
Congrats to my bro @Cle_Missile for committing to Clemson today!!! I might join him
— Ricky DeBerry (@TheFranchize__) June 4, 2014
#8: OT Austin Clark, Lexington, Rockbridge Co.
Clark is all set to decide on June 12, and it seems as if Tech, South Carolina and Tennessee are his top three (in no particular order). Things were trending out-of-state for awhile, though he did recently visit Tech yet again. I don't feel great about Clark, but I feel better about him than I did last week. Hopefully he'll pick home and the possibility for early playing time over the SEC.
#9: DT Darvin Taylor II, Richmond, Thomas Dale
Right now, Tech is still in the race for Darvin Taylor, who I believe is the best defensive tackle in the state of Virginia. Florida State is the leader, and though Tech will recruit him very hard and stay in the race, I think the Seminoles will be tough to overcome. Here's hoping Florida State fills up their defensive tackle boat before Taylor has a chance to jump on board.
#10: DE Darrell Taylor, Hopewell, Hopewell
Darrell Taylor had a busy month of May, adding offers from Ohio State, NC State, WVU, Michigan State, Penn State and Oklahoma to go along with what was already an impressive list. His cousin Tabyus signed with Tech this past April.Though Taylor grew up a Florida Gator fan, he is open as far as recruiting goes. Florida is in his top five, along with Tech, Ohio State, Miami and Tennessee. However, his list could change if he decides to take more visits this summer. Tech sits in a solid position right now, but they obviously face some stiff competition. Taylor will hear the same message about defensive ends at Tech that Ferrell and Sweat have heard.
#11: WR A.J. Alexander, Burke, Lake Braddock
Alexander does not hold an offer from Virginia Tech.
#12: WR Felton Davis III, Richmond, Highland Springs
Felton Davis III has long been considered a Virginia Tech lean, and ultimately I see him signing with the Hokies. However, he is still adding new offers. Michigan State offered recently, as did Louisville, Nebraska, Miami and a few others. He is a guy to monitor, depending on where he chooses to visit this summer.#13: ATH Tremaine Edmunds, Ringgold, Dan River
I think Edmunds should play tight end in college, though I'm not exactly sure which position the coaching staff sees him playing. I also think he's more open to other schools than his older brother Terrell. His recruitment has been very quiet recently, though he did visit for the Spring Game.
The safe bet is that Edmunds will follow his older brothers to Virginia Tech. However, I don't think he's as much of a lock as most younger brothers of Tech players.
#14: DE Trevon Hill, Virginia Beach, Salem
Trevon Hill has a top five of Tech, UNC, Clemson, Wake Forest and NC State. Most consider this to be a battle between the Hokies and UNC. Tech was an early favorite, and then things starting to trend UNC's way. I think Hill himself is confused. He was originally going to announce a decision on May 27, but he postponed it. In other words, he's still very much undecided.One thing that could work against the Hokies is that he has been a part of the 757 Sports Academy in the past, and the 757 Sports Academy shares many of the same relationships as the Virginia Thoroughbreds.
#15: ATH A.J. Turner, Clifton, Centreville
Turner is a bit of a mystery to me. Some people consider him to be a running back recruit, but I'm not so sure. He plays wingback in a Wing-T offense, and that's not very similar to what he would do in college as a traditional running back. Others view him as a safety. He is listed with a Tech offer, and I'm guessing the Tech coaches view him as more of a safety than a running back.
I have no opinion on where the Hokie stand with Turner. He doesn't seem to be in any hurry to make a decision.
Virginia Tech has no commits amongst the top 15 players in the state of Virginia, and they only have one in-state commit overall (DT Harry Lewis). Of the top 15 players in the state, I came up with six categories to describe Tech's chances with each prospect…
Great chance: 0
Good chance: 2 - F. Davis III, T. Edmunds
Average chance: 5 - J. Sweat, A. Clark, Darrell Taylor, T. Hill, A. Turner
Below average chance: 2 - R. DeBerry, D. Taylor II
Small chance: 1 - T. Settle
No chance: 5 - M. Burrell, J. Lewis, G. Taylor, C. Ferrell, A. Alexander (no offer)
I feel good about picking up Felton Davis III and Tremaine Edmunds, but I don't quite feel great about it. Tech will probably pick up a couple of the guys in the "average" category. What's depressing is having little to no chance with six out of the top 15 (40%) on June 5.
Another thing that stands out to me is that UVA is in even worse shape than Tech is in-state. Recruits know that London is done. Unfortunately, the Hokies aren't in a good enough position to take advantage of the sorry state of UVA football right now. The state of Virginia is an open market. Nobody is in control. If anything, Clemson is doing of the best job of recruiting in Virginia right now, with commits from Clelin Ferrell and LB Chad Smith (#20 in the state, held a VT offer). They also are high on the list of many other Virginia recruits.
It's imperative that Tech do a good job out-of-state this year. That's exactly what they did last year, though recruiting in the northeast just got a lot tougher with James Franklin landing the Penn State job.
