Houshun Gaines verbally committed to Virginia Tech on December 20, while at the North Carolina/South Carolina Shrine Bowl. The Hokies, led by primary recruiter Charley Wiles, offered in April of 2014 and were consistent in their interest in the 6’4”, 225-pound defensive end.

“Virginia Tech recruited me a long time. It helped a lot that my position coach recruited me,” said Gaines, a senior out of Nash Central High in Rocky Mount, North Carolina.