DeMatha Catholic (Hyattsville, MD) wide receiver Tino Ellis’ top five consists of Maryland, Rutgers, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest and West Virginia. The Hokies, however, have edged out in front for the talented junior following Saturday’s Junior Day event in Blacksburg.

“What made the visit different from any other was that my mom and dad came. They just loved the whole entire thing. My mom can’t stop talking about Virginia Tech,” said Ellis, who tweeted that “Virginia Tech was by far my best visit so far.”

A former DeMatha teammate and current Hokie rising sophomore receiver helped Ellis feel at home.

“Cam Phillips was there for the visit. He showed me around the campus. I was with him the whole entire time,” Ellis said. “I was supposed to go to the basketball game, but instead I went out to eat with Cam. I hung out with Donovan (Riley) and CJ Reavis. I also looked at the academic support center. Definitely, my mom liked the academic things we saw.”

Virginia Tech had one coaching change this offseason, but it came at the position Ellis is being recruited to play. Ellis discussed Aaron Moorehead’s departure and what impact, if any, that has, as well as recently announced receivers coach Zohn Burden.

“It really didn’t affect me when Coach Moorehead left,” Ellis said. “It would’ve been nice for him to stay, but he didn’t. My dad told me to go to school because of the school, because coaches may leave. The thing with Coach Burden, it was only his second day there and he didn’t know much about the program. He is a down-to-earth coach. I’ve talked with him before when he was at ODU. One of the things he wants to do is have a thousand-yard receiver. That’s what he wants.”

Ellis also spoke with Tech’s head coach, Frank Beamer.

“Coach Beamer just said he really wanted me bad,” said the 6’1”, 185-pound junior, who had 24 catches for 345 yards last season according to the Washington Post. “He said to come on down there because they have got guys like Cam who are supporters. I’ve got family there and they’ll treat me right if I come there.”

Ellis said this latest Virginia Tech experience “definitely gives Virginia Tech an edge right now” over the other four favorites. He added: “I’ve still got other visits to make.”

Up next on Ellis’ visit schedule is Maryland this Wednesday. That will be followed by a trip to Rutgers on March 7. He then hopes to return to West Virginia and visit Wake Forest. Asked if a return trip to Tech could be in the works, Ellis mentioned the Spring Game as a possibility.

Ellis plans to make his commitment on July 31. The five schools he lists are the favorites but not the definitive finalists, as he is not ruling out others at this point. Ohio State is one school outside of the top five he may visit. Coach Urban Meyer has not offered but has spoken with Ellis about making a trip to Columbus.