61 receiver, coming off a season in which he had 85 catches for 1,268 yards and 14 TDs for Nolensville (Tenn.) High. READ MORE, In-state cornerback Joshua Clarke has visited Virginia Tech six times, and he's close to narrowing his list. The last Tech signee ranked that high came in 2019 when wide receiver Jaden Payoute was a consensus top-five recruit in the state and fellow receiver Tayvion Robinson cracked the top five on Rivals. QB. Receiver and ACC champion sprinter Cole Beck will run track again this spring, then see how things how shake out before a determination is made about his football career. Though both are 6-foot-2, joining the 6-5 Felton, getting bigger wasnt necessarily a primary objective of the Hokies coaches. By Tim Weaver | February 27, 2023 1:37 pm ET. New Nebraska coach Matt Rhule made a show of making his first offer on the job to cornerback Dante Lovett. The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy. His list of collegiate accolades include 2020 Phil Steele All-ACC Third Team, 2020 All-ACC Honorable Mention, ACC Defensive Back of the Week (Sept. 7, 2021), 2021 ESPN All-ACC Midseason Team, 2021 Phil Steele All-ACC Second Team, 2021 All-ACC Honorable Mention (S), and his selection to the 2022-2023 Reese's Senior Bowl. 2023 Virginia Tech Football Commitment List Total Commitments 26 READ MORE, Despite being a UVA legacy, Grant Karczewski will walk-on at Virginia Tech after specific advice from his parents. The last one who fit the bill was defensive tackle Tim Settle from the 2015 class. Their parents, especially, have an appreciation for where Virginia Techs been, and they understand what this program can be.. My background is man coverage, man-press coverage, aggressive., cornerbacks coach Derek Jones said. A ranking of the 2023 Best College Football Players in West Virginia. Hell likely play tackle with the Hokies. Subscribe to The Athletic for in-depth coverage of your favorite players, teams, leagues and clubs. The Virginia Tech Hokies wrapped up the early signing period last week feeling pretty good about the 2023 recruiting class. It wouldnt be shocking to see both play early in their career. Signed Letter of Intent (15) Pos Ht / Wt Rating Status Chance Fitzgerald Nolensville (Nolensville, TN) 2005-2023 CBS INTERACTIVE ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. The Hokies didnt venture west into Tennessee often in the latter Beamer years and signed just five players from the state during Justin Fuentes six seasons, most notably linebacker Jaden Keller in 2021. 2022 Virginia Tech Football Commitment List Total Commitments 24 Virginia Tech has offered Salisbury (N.C.) 2024 cornerback Deuce Walker. The 2019 class was punctuated by offensive lineman Doug Nesters signing day flip from Ohio State in February, though that joy was erased years later by his transfer to West Virginia. Hes the first tight end/H-back in the class after Tech took three last year DaeQuan Wright, Harrison Saint Germain and Gosnell. ET on YouTube. We really like the way he rushes the quarterback, Pry said. READ MORE, Kyron Drones is a quarterback transfer from Baylor who got meaningful snaps in one game for the Bears. With a Burst of Energy, Brent Pry Throws All-Out Blitz at Virginia's Recruiting Trails. The Hokies were competing at the Lone Star State Invitational this weekend. Lewis plays running back at Salem High School in Salem, Virginia. READ MORE No. The high schoolers are Watson and Wittke at quarterback, running back Jeremiah Coney, Greene and Baylor at receiver, offensive lineman Layth Ghannam, Hannes Hammer and Williams, defensive end Ishmael Findlayter and Cotman and Phillips at defensive back. Duke is next. Here is Virginia Techs recruiting class in full, with linked profiles on them from when they committed to the Hokies, including a brief scouting report and where they are from. More than anything, we wanted to get guys who had good production, Mines said. Virginia Tech basketball has picked up its first commitment of the 2024 recruiting cycle. 6-2 / Virginia Tech is hopeful to get defensive tackle Norell Pollard back too, though nothings been finalized on that front. 6-2 / And you want guys that want to compete. (Courtesy of Virginia Tech Athletics). He can be a power runner pretty early in his Virginia Tech career. For more details about the site, including a list of TechSideline.com staff, see our About page. He had 729 passing yards and 12 touchdowns, 840 rushing yards and 19 touchdowns and 17 catches for 338 yards and three touchdowns, showing plenty of athletic chops for someone his size. Signed. Baylor is from Radford, and his combination of size and speed is exciting. The plans are for him to go on scholarship in January of 2024, though how the numbers shake out could push up those plans. Duke, Virginia Tech offer 2025 top-75 QB George MacIntyre. I think thats definitely going to help us on the perimeter, being longer, being faster and being more consistent.. But the staff has connections that way too, with defensive coordinator Chris Marve having played and coached at Vanderbilt, sam linebackers coach Shawn Quinn playing collegiately at Carson-Newman and with a number of past coaching jobs in Tennessee and Pry himself with stints at Memphis and Vanderbilt. Hes going to challenge them whenever they need to be challenged.. I also wouldnt be shocked if Pry looks for a defensive tackle via the transfer portal. 6-1 / READ MORE, Virginia Tech signed JUCO defensive end James Jennette on Wednesday, per his announcement on social media. Im not going to say there wasnt concerns and there wasnt conversations that had to be had, but most times you can work through those things, and were able to do that with those guys. The 247Sports' NCAA Transfer Portal Database can be found here. Two of the Upstate's finest high school football players are part of the Virginia Tech football 2023 recruiting class - and they happen to be cousins. And I tell the staff all the time: Nobody can know more about the kids in Virginia than us.. Early signing day is Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2022. I worry about the lack of defensive tackles in this class, but the Hokies are counting on the top group from last year returning and the development of last years class. Dec 20, 2022 31 BLACKSBURG, Va. So this is what recruiting momentum feels like? And I believe we can win an ACC championship with this formula. Chance Fitzgerald and Ayden Greene were late additions as the Hokies had to beat out some good programs to land both. - / The final transfer was speedy 6-foot-4 wide receiver Quan Felton from Norfolk State. You can access the playlist below, beginning with Dante Lovetts video, and stepping through all 25 videos. Dante Lovett and Cameren Fleming were two of my favorites in this class. 57 player in the class at the edge position, 247 has him at No. 2005-2023 CBS INTERACTIVE ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. And I think he has a chip on his shoulder. He offers consistency, Mines said. (D-lineman Rashaud Pernell signed but did not enroll, ending up at Liberty.). 6-5 / Virginia Tech Football Transfer Tracker: Winter 2022-2023 By VTScoop247 Jan 13, 5:00 PM 207 Virginia Tech Head Coach Brent Pry expects roster turnover this offseason as he attempts to. The Hokies have veteran Nick Gallo coming back for his final season in 2023, but Wimbush is a boost to the next wave of tight ends/H-backs, someone who looks like he could be more on the playmaking side of the position, capable of doing a variety of things from different parts of the formation. The No. There is still work to do in Northern Virginia and the 757, but Pry and his staff are off to a terrific start. We still have a couple needs were trying to fill, he said. 6-1 / We know all of these guys have the ability to cover.. - 12/6, Pheldarius Payne - Defensive End (per Andy Bitter), Mario Kendricks - Defensive Tackle (per Andy Bitter), Jalen Holston Running Back (No NCAA eligibility remaining), Jaylen Griffin - Defensive End (No NCAA eligibility remaining), Silas Dzansi - Offensive Line (No NCAA eligibility remaining), Ali Jennings - Wide Receiver - Old Dominion, Griffin Armstrong - Long Snapper - Louisiana Tech* Walk-on, Quan Felton - Wide Receiver - Norfolk State, Jaylin Lane - Wide Receiver - Middle Tennessee State, Derrick Canteen - Cornerback - Georgia Southern, Bhayshul Tuten - Running Back - North Carolina A&T. While no one will confuse Virginia Tech's incoming class with Alabama . The Virginia Tech Hokies wrapped up the early signing period last week feeling pretty good about the 2023 recruiting class. The 6-foot-1 wide receiver has over 20 scholarship offers and is the No. Woodson is a fun player with good size and speed, who many believe ends up at linebacker. Hes going to make sure those guys are doing extra. -, WR / (On3 ranks him 33rd, bringing down his average.). All six could reasonably be considered starting candidates next season. Virginia Tech Hokies Defensive Back Chamarri Conneris participating in the 2023 NFL Combine, looking to boost his stock ahead of the 2023 NFL Draft. 6-6 / The Hokies have 15 players who will enroll in January, with 11 from the high school ranks and all four the transfers. All signing day graphics are by Giovanni Heater, and all signing day videos were produced by Nick Brown. This site utilizes responsive web design, which renders the site properly on all platforms (PC, tablet, mobile). Find the latest updates on Virginia Tech's roster below. Drones immediately enters the battle for the starting spot, with Wittke, an early commitment from a powerhouse Georgia program in Buford, and Watson, a scintillating late addition out of Massachusetts who flipped from Nebraska earlier this month, getting into the developmental pipeline. 6-2 / Cornerback: Dante Lovett, Cameren Fleming, Antonio Cotman Jr. Safety: Mose Phillips, Braylon Johnson, Caleb Woodson, Athlete: Thomas Williams, Jonathan Pennix, Tralon Mitchell. Well have a good look at things this spring.. TechSideline.com (a.k.a. 788 37 8. ", Chamarri Conner Interview on Coverage, Favorite Position, Why he plays Football, Chammari Conner says he met with the Dallas Cowboys, Tuesday, February 28 - Registration, Pre-Exam, Orientation, Team Interviews, Wednesday, March 1 - General Medical Exam, Pre-ordered Studies, Team Interviews, Thursday, March 2 - Orthopedic Examination, Media Interviews, NFLPA Meeting, Team Interviews, Friday, March 3 - Measurements, On-field workout, Saturday, March 4 - Bench Press, Broadcast Interviews, Depart Indianapolis. More than anything, I think hes going to push these guys on and off the field. 623 55 9. The results were positive, particularly around Richmond, receivers coach Fontel Mines territory, where Tech landed seven prospects eight if you include ODU transfer Ali Jennings III. 13 Miami at Virginia Tech, Six players I am most excited to see during spring ball for Virginia Tech, Top target Keylen Adams returns to Virginia Tech, Offered TE Cameron Clark talks Virginia Tech visit, connection with Tyler Bowen, Two-sport standout James Nesta locks in seven March visits, Bodie Kahoun opens March with a return to Virginia Tech, Deuce Walker is building a relationship with Virginia Tech, Offered TE Willie Rodriguez excited to check out Virginia Tech, Five coaches Brent Pry could target to replace Joe Rudolph, Live Updates: Virginia Tech 75, Florida State 52 - Second Half, Game Chat: Virginia Tech hosts Florida State, 2023 Spring football game schedule, practice dates, Five Virginia Tech players that could see their stock rise this spring, '25 IMG CB looking forward to visiting Virginia Tech. The secondary class is a fun group. While its unclear how many of the soon-to-be signees will get on the field early, its clear from the Hokies recent push that theyre focusing on reshaping the offense, particularly the receiver room. Joe Spears 01/23/23. It wouldnt be easy after Justin Fuente ignored the state for years. He will be a starter wherever he lands. Try a week on us. The opinions of the author(s) on this site are independent and no way reflect the opinions of the Virginia Tech administrators, coaches, staff, or athletes. Its Post Season Accolade Time for the Virginia Tech Hokie Womens Basketball Team. It just so happened to fall in place that we kind of killed two birds with one stone. Krystian Williams is another who could move around. Jonathan Pennix and Krystian Williams are athletes who could start out on either side of the ball. Virginia. Were looking for possibly a running back to come in and compete with Malachi and Chance (Black) and those guys and make that room better, Pry said. Odds & lines subject to change. READ MORE, TechSideline.Com
One concern for the Hokies is they didnt do enough on the defensive line. He'll visit Blacksburg for Junior Day next weekend. 6-4 / Again, its about being transparent and open and honest and having conversations ahead of time. Im home!!! 455 player nationally and No. 5-10 / Unofficially, all the recent movement puts the Hokies at 92 scholarship players, a figure that will need to be trimmed significantly to get to the 85 maximum scholarship number, especially if Tech has designs on adding more transfers next month. A true legacy who can play. The Hokies signed pairs of players from two state powerhouse high schools: Highland Springs (safety Braylon Johnson and receiver Takye Heath) and Appomattox (receiver Jonathan Pennix and linebacker Tavorian Copeland). He committed on Sunday, three days after he decommitted from Boston College and a day after an official visit in Blacksburg. . I had him in an all-star game or I coached him at camp or I went to college with his mom and dad. Those are the relationships that are meaningful, when you can get as much information about a guy to make sure youre taking the right kid, that youre doing the right thing.. Antonio Cotman was a late flip from Boston College. 2005-2023 CBS INTERACTIVE ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. March 3, 2023 9:10 am CT. Peyton Lewis, a running back prospect from the 2024 recruiting class, picked up an offer from the Alabama coaching staff on Thursday. Hes confident. Pry said Tech has three or four spots its looking to bolster. 282, RB / TechSideline.com (a.k.a. In the composite rankings, Adams is. William Watson III Springfield Central (Springfield, MA) 6-0 / 175. Hes a triple-threat guy, Pry said. 1 player in the state in the 2024 class, according to 247Sports' in-house rankings. AZ, CO, CT, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, (select parishes), MD, MI, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OR, PA, TN, VA, WV, WY, CA-ONT only.Eligibility restrictions apply. By Bryan D. Manning @BryanDManning. The 2018 class is probably the last one with a strong finish that paid dividends on the field, with the Hokies landing future NFL tight end James Mitchell before the early signing period that December and coveted linebacker Dax Hollifield in February to punctuate a class ranked 22nd nationally, back before the wheels fell off during Justin Fuentes tenure. @CoachPryVT @coachscott33 @BappNAinEZBino @adamgorney @RivalsFriedman @EdOBrienCFB pic.twitter.com/SrtfDYNLja, Antonio Hazen Cotman Jr. (@CotmanHazen) December 18, 2022, Cotmans addition bolsters whats turning into a pretty good haul in the secondary for the Hokies. In addition to key transfers in quarterback Kyron Drones and receiver Ali Jennings III, the Hokies have gotten six high school commitments this month, with four coming from players who are among the top-six ranked recruits in Techs class receivers Chance Fitzgerald (2) and Ayden Greene (3), cornerback Antonio Cotman Jr. (5) and quarterback Pop Watson (6). Buy Tickets Opens in new window. The Lady Hokies shine after a break, and trounce, throttle, and outscore the Miami Hurricanes in the ACC Tournament Quarterfinals. All Hokie, All the Time. Virginia Tech football is putting a stamp on its 2023 signing class with as good of a finish as you could have asked for from head coach Brent Pry in his first real recruiting cycle. Thats why we call them cheetahs., What you want to do is you want to be able to get your secondary to the point where youve got guys with corner skills at every position. Jennings averaged over 1,000 yards and caught 14 touchdown passes the past two seasons at ODU, despite missing three games at the end of last year with an injury. Pry, whose years at Penn State gave him an advantage in rebuilding those relationships. "We're having some exit interviews with certain guys, portal conversations," Coach Pry said during a press conference in late November. All original material and images are copyrighted by TechSideline.com and may not be reused or reprinted without permission. The commentary is also linked in the Our Take column of the table below. Prys focus upon his hiring was to rebuild relationships within the Commonwealth. Conner has late Day 3 value as a potential backup., has participated in the 2023 Reese's Senior Bowl, Virginia Tech DB Chamarri Conner receives a pre-Combine draft score. All high school NLIs received are listed below. Another new head coach, Brent Pry, also had a successful recruiting cycle for Virginia Tech with the fifth-best recruiting class in the ACC. The Hokies should prioritize the defensive line in 2024. Weve got to be better at that position. Ali Jennings, from Highland Springs High School, spent two years at West Virginia and the previous two years at Old Dominion. What we learned about Virginia Tech's Class of 2023 as the early signing period began Wednesday, with 25 prep players and four transfers. quarterback Kyron Drones and receiver Ali Jennings III. The Hokies now have six confirmed seniors who are taking advantage of their additional year of eligibility from the COVID-19 season. The Virginia Tech Hokies picked up their 10th commitment in the 2023 recruiting class Tuesday when Tavorian Copeland made his decision. Takye Heath is a player to watch. 6-4 / And for some of those players, Pry either flipped from other schools or beat some good competition to land those signatures. Hes a leader. Thats two receiver additions from Tennessee this month, with the Hokies also landing Greene, a former Cincinnati commit, whos from Powell, just outside of Knoxville. Football Nov 25 TBA. That quarterback rooms going to look a little different right out of the gate come January 18th, Pry said. Brandon Patterson breaks down that game. Privacy Policy | Terms of Use. The Hokies added four offensive linemen. By Bryan D. Manning December 12, 2022. Presented by. Jennings and Felton help remake a receiver room that added seven new players in all Wednesday, shoring up a group that lost last years leading pass-catcher Kaleb Smith to Notre Dame. Thats always the million-dollar question with recruiting, where signing day stars have a short shelf life and can look quaint once these players have had a few years to develop or, in the transfer portal age, pack up and go somewhere else to finish their career. He didnt garner much Power 5 attention coming out of Maury High in Norfolk in 2019, ranked as the 29th player in the state, but Pry said he was the heart and soul of a 15-0 state championship team down there. PUBLISHER. Below is a graphical representation of how our formula works. Conner has late Day 3 value as a potential backup., He was given a prospect rating of 5.82 - which defines him as an "Average backup or Special Teamer. 195, CB / 237, WR / TSL) is an independent publication that is in no way affiliated with or sponsored by Virginia Tech or the Virginia Tech Athletic Department. Because what offenses do is they try to attack you when you have weaknesses in coverage. Prys strategy for some may be to take a player you usually wouldnt take to rebuild some trust within that specific school or region. 236, RB / Another defensive back: Though Tech did plenty of work restocking the defensive backfield, Pry wants a bridge between the vets and youngsters. 6-2 / Virginia Techs Elizabeth Kitley pulls down her second ACC player of the year award, Georgia Amoore and Taylor Soule get team honors, and Tech gets ready for Selection Sunday.