Upcoming Decisions

Three of Virginia Tech’s class of 2015 targets will commit between tomorrow and Friday, December 19. The first we'll hear from is the one Hokie fans have been waiting for throughout this process. Five-star defensive end Josh Sweat, a senior out of Oscar Smith High School (Chesapeake, VA), will reveal his college choice at a 10 am press conference at his high school. TechSideline.com plans to be there for the decision, which is obviously an important one for the Hokies.

Wednesday morning, Sweat will choose either Florida State, Georgia, Ohio State, Oregon or Virginia Tech. The consensus is that the decision will come down to the Hokies and Seminoles.

On Thursday, December 11, Arsenal Tech (Indianapolis, IN) cornerback Adonis Williamson will announce his college choice. Virginia Tech is the favorite here over Louisville, Missouri and Northern Illinois. So far the Hokies have four defensive back commitments in this class, including rover Adonis Alexander, free safety Jahque Alleyne, and corners DuWayne Johnson and Mook Reynolds. Williamson has the versatility Tech likes in its DBs, so he could see action at corner or safety in college in my opinion.

Another announcement takes place on December 19, from 4-star linebacker/defensive end Ricky DeBerry Jr. Alabama, Michigan State, Penn State, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas A&M, Virginia and Virginia Tech are the finalists for the 6’3”, 245-pound senior, who attends Atlee High School (Mechanicsville, VA). The most likely scenario is that DeBerry leaves the state, but we’ll find out for sure next week. He has not eliminated anyone as of yet (at least publicly).

Stonewall Jackson (Manassas, VA) defensive tackle Tim Settle had planned on announcing his commitment on December 18, but he tweeted today that he now plans to commit at the Under Armour All-American Bowl on January 2. Stonewall Jackson is a school that has been good to Virginia Tech in the past, producing former Hokie tailback Ryan Williams and current Hokie freshman cornerback/punt returner Greg Stroman. The Hokies have a good chance with Settle, who is also considering Oklahoma State, USC and Washington State (and possibly some others).

Senior Lawrence Cager revealed via Twitter that he will announce his college choice on January 3, which is the day he will compete in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl. Cager, a 6’4” receiver out of Calvert Hall (Baltimore, MD), took an official visit to Virginia Tech this past weekend. He is also considering Notre Dame, where he plans to take an official visit this weekend, as well as Alabama, Ohio State and Wake Forest.

Also, no specific date here but look for a decision from 6'7", 265-pound DL/OL Yosuah Nijman sometime this month. He told TSL he would like to commit in early to mid-December. Miami and Temple are Tech's prime competition at this point, it appears.

Sweat

Where 6’5”, 240-pound senior Josh Sweat will play his college football will be revealed soon enough. No question, though, he is important to Virginia Tech.

For starters, landing Sweat would give the Hokies a big boost heading into the offseason. The Virginia win seems to have brought some excitement back (if the bowl game ticket sales are any indication), but beating out the nation’s best programs (three of the programs are in the College Football Playoff) for one of the nation’s top overall recruits certainly would energize the Hokienation.

If Tech can land Sweat, expect a boost in recruiting efforts in the 2015 and 2016 classes. Players would take notice.

From a football standpoint, we’ve discussed many times how Virginia Tech needs defensive ends in the class of 2015. Darius Fullwood and Trevon Hill are promising talents for sure, but Sweat, if healthy, is viewed as an immediate high-impact type of player. The need for Sweat is greater when you consider the players Tech has missed on already in this class, including Jalen Dalton (UNC), Clelin Ferrell (Clemson) and Darrell Taylor (Tennessee). At one point I thought Tech had a real chance to land all of these prospects as well as Sweat.

All eyes will indeed be on Oscar Smith High School tomorrow. It’s a big day for Virginia Tech.

More recruiting news and notes

- Speaking of defensive end, Nash Central (Rocky Mount, N.C.) senior Houshun Gaines tweeted that he met with Vanderbilt coaches as well as Virginia Tech defensive line coach Charley Wiles on Monday of this week. The 6’3”, 225-pound Gaines also tweeted that he had an in-home this evening with Virginia assistants.

Might the Commodores be the team to beat now, though?

- A pair of class of 2016 offers to report within the past week. Recruit757 reports that Virginia Tech is now an offer for Nansemond River (Suffolk, VA) offensive lineman Thomas Hopple. UVa and West Virginia are Hopple’s other FBS offers at this point.

Last Friday,Khaleke Hudson tweeted that Tech offered him a scholarship. Hudson, a 6’0”, 200-pound prospect out of McKeesport (PA), plays strong safety and running back in high school. Boston College, Cincinnati, Penn State and Pittsburgh are among Hudson’s other early offers.