Welcome to Tunnel Talk, with the latest in the world of Hokie recruiting.
Defensive line
I'm a little bit more copacetic about the state of defensive line recruiting after
my film review of Mattheus Carroll gave me a more positive impression than I recalled when viewing it in a little less depth. He's definitely still far from his ceiling, but that ceiling is higher than I'd previously thought. I'd still expect a DE who's different than the pretty-similar Carrol-Cole Nelson duo (a guy who's either a bigger strongside end or a true burner off the edge), but it's less a dire need by now.
Another reason I'm not particularly concerned? I think the relationship-building with top defensive tackle prospects is going pretty well.
Even with Kelvin Gilliam trending away, I've made it no secret that I believe four-star Tyleik Williams is a likelihood in the class after VT ramped up the pressure (and landed a commitment from his friend Shawn Asbury). That's not to say it's a done deal, but regardless of how coy he plays it publicly, the Hokies are in really good position.
The chance at South Carolina three-star Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins continues to feel good the longer he goes without committing. The home-state Gamecocks may be the favorite (while Alabama and Georgia are technically finalists, but would not accept commitments at this point - North Carolina is a bit more on the borderline there, but I believe the Heels would take him), but VT has made up ground. Remember, when he considered committing in the immediate aftermath of his offer from Virginia Tech, the Hokies would have been the choice. Of course, VT has faded periodically in the time since - indicating that he's far from actually making a final decision - but the upswing is real.
Having the opportunity to impress him with on-field play and a visit or two to campus this Fall would pay big dividends - to the extent that I almost believe that just getting to that point in the timeline without a commitment elsewhere would be enough to move VT to No. 1.
Kenji Christian
VT remains in good position for Pinson (Ala.) Valley 2021 running back Kenji Christian, but the presence of two other running backs in the class - and an overall build for the group that indicates both are unlikely to move away from the position that the coaching staff intends for them to begin their careers - does bring up some question marks about fit. Does VT need another running back?
Fortunately, Christian tentatively plans to take his time, pivoting from a planned summer commitment after being unable - by NCAA rule - to take unofficial visits before the season begins. The coaching staff will have plenty of time to see how the current roster
and other portions of the recruiting class shake out before the decision is imminent.
Remember, this should be a bigger class (at least 24 signees) with plenty of room for "luxury signings" at positions that otherwise look filled. However, running back is also pretty stocked already. There are 10 scholarship RBs on the roster, with only one of them - Kansas grad-transfer and presumed starter Khalil Herbert - in his final year of eligibility. There will likely/potentially be some attrition, but adding three guys in the class still looks like a poor distribution of scholarship slots by position with the roster as currently constructed.
Read into that what you will (from both a roster and recruiting perspective).
2022 vibes
You probably took away from Wednesday's
early look at 2022 talent that the Hokies seem to be in better position with that class's players than they have been with recent in-state recruiting. That's also the impression that I have, but at the same time, how things look
today is not necessarily important if that success doesn't pay off in commitments and signings.
"Strong position evaporates into few results" was the story with the 2011-17ish classes, leading to the more transparently-poor from-the-jump groups in the three classes since.
I do feel like the staff is genuine in its desire to do a better job in the state though, and while the organization of the recruiting board and the pursuit of players thereon still feels a little strapped-together rather than planned in-depth, it's a step in the right direction. The additions to the recruiting staff (sources indicate more of those are coming, by the way, but the likelihood that they're Fuller-level recognizable names is low) have helped there, too.
Again, it's too early to say there's any sort of corner that's been turned, but certainly evidence pointing in that direction is more welcome than the alternative.
