Don't see it as likely, with a good LB class in each of the past two years (no need to reach just to get bodies), but one worth keeping an eye on nonetheless.

https://virginiatech.rivals.com/news/new-linebacker-target-1

It won't end up one of the country's best classes in terms of stars (and there have been some misses, no doubt), but this class should really help be a springboard to continue shaping the program in Fuente's vision:

Recent commitments shaping 2019 Virginia Tech recruiting class

Hopes to take a visit this Summer:

Henry Coleman hoping to visit Virginia Tech this Summer

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There's a decent chance VT makes the cut for the Maryland prospect, but it's not a guarantee because he's made a ton of national travels already.

You made the right choice.

VT is in the market for a new softball coach. Scot Thomas was let go yesterday after 23 years.

This could be a big stretch to the end of the month for Virginia Tech on the recruiting trail. Why is that? There are two potential commitments.

Let's begin with the commitment date that's been known a little longer: Buford (Ga.) offensive lineman Riley Simonds will be picking between Florida, Missouri, and VT Wednesday.

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Th 6-4 290-pounder took official visits to Gainesville and Columbia before establishing that commitment date, and the lack of a trip to Blacksburg prior to that time could be seen as a positive ("he'll take the visit after committing") or a negative ("something he saw at Missouri made him feel ready to commit"). In the long run, the timing ended up not mattering too much.

That's because Simonds managed to quietly make it on an official visit this weekend - after a half-dozen unofficial visits over the course of the past couple years. That probably bodes well for VT, and early reports from the Hokies' end are that all went well on the trip. Riley himself has always been high on the Hokies (the sheer number of trips to Blacksburg underscores that), and he has his family's blessing to pick any school in his top three. However, there has been a bit or a preference from those around him to look deeper into SEC schools. When one of the schools from the "preferred conference" being considered is doormat Missouri, though, VT should be feeling good.

It's not as done a deal as I had long expected it to feel like by the time a decision for Simonds rolled around - VT was so far ahead of the pack that it seemed like they'd run away with this one, but Florida and Missouri had their legitimate shots mixed in - but he should still end up in Orange and Maroon.

Another top target - and recent visitor - has now established his timeline, as well. Kissimmee (Fla.) Osceola strongside end Mario Kendricks plans to make his commitment on the last day of the month.

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Kendricks is fresh off a visit to Blacksburg just over a week ago, and like I mentioned above with Simonds, establishing a commitment date on the heels of a trip is often good news for the most recent team he's seen in person. The 6-2, 265-pounder is sort of in that tweener mold that the Hokies like to build into penetrating defensive tackles, though he does have the quickness to remain a bit leaner and stay on the edge should he end up a Hokie. At this point, I expect him to pick VT, and expect him to end up on the interior of the line.

Kendricks's recent trip came at the same time as another central Florida D-lineman, Norell Pollard, and landing one friend would certainly help the case for the other.

Virginia Tech fans are awaiting the commitment of Buford (Ga.) three-star offensive lineman Riley Simonds at some point today, but on the heels of his official visit, what's the latest on the big man? Well, for starters, "big" is an accurate way to put it. He's put on some weight this offseason - not all of it good - and that could be a problem for Simonds.

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Let's go back to his official visit at the end of last week. Simonds (whose other finalists are Florida and Missouri) had long held Virginia Tech at the top of his list, and even looking like Blacksburg would be the only destination among his finalists he wouldn't see on an official visit (he's been several times unofficially) wasn't much to worry about. Indeed, as I've alluded to many times over the course of his recruitment, he's given the Hokie coaches plenty of reason to believe that they had nothing to worry about when it came to his final destination.

At the conclusion of the official visit, it sounded like all was a go: Simonds reported that he had a good time, and sources confirmed to me that they believed he was ready to make it official and public. In the past couple days, though, the Hokies' feelings about his weight gain (he came on the visit weighing more than 30 pounds heavier than the 290 he was this Spring) started to turn serious enough that there are potential misgivings about accepting a commitment.

A final decision hasn't been made on that regard - and it's possible that Simonds simply pushes back an announcement and proves to coaches that he can stay in shape before making his final selection - so today's possible news remains up in the air, to say the least. We shall see how it plays out.

As for my opinion on the matter, I think you take the kid today anyway (of course, I am not a coach whose livelihood depends upon these guys working out at the college level). There's a political risk at one of Georgia's top programs by turning away a kid who's been in the bag for months, and with the effort the staff has put into becoming a player in the Atlanta area, no vale la pena (roughly translated: it's not worth it) to potentially burn one of those bridges. VT was the first school to offer Simonds and saw something long before any other program did, and they have to have faith that he can get back to that with some conditioning. Add into that the fact that they can slow-play somebody who's already in the class if they don't re-warm to the idea, and it just doesn't seem like the right move to turn somebody away if he wants to commit.

I'll update if a final "take/no-take" decision is made prior to Simonds announcing a commitment today - or if that commitment happens at all today. For now, it's looking unlikely that today sees a choice of Virginia Tech.

With some new commitments and a couple changes to the composition of the roster:

Summer: Updated VT scholarship chart and 2019 needs

Unsurprising, like Pollard. Timing maybe a little surprising (less so than it was for Pollard, because Gallo's been on "any day now" stats for ages.

From the Roanoke Times's Andy Bitter:

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I haven't gotten any (official or unofficial) word of a resolution, but this would be a game-changer for the season. Or I guess more accurately, losing Jackson would have been a game-changer to the negative.

I'm going to be out of pocket most of the day. I'll be around if there's any breaking news (and will publish some stories from around the network), but not the usual presence on the board, etc.

Don't forget that 2018 hoopster Anthony Higgs will be announcing a college commitment at some point today, and I am expecting it to be VT.

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Timing was a little surprising (I thought it’d be after Mario Kendricks) but obviously not a surprise here.