Story: Making the case: Devyn Ford

Decision week for Devyn Ford

A little further intel for board subscribers: the feel in the VT coaching office is still that they're slightly behind, but have the juice to make up the ground.

I still fall back on one of my rules of thumb: when a top schools list changes a couple times shortly before a kid's commitment, the one school that remains consistent in it often has a better chance than sometimes given credit for. In this case, that would be VT (with Penn State replacing Ohio State and Clemson from previous lists).

There are other complicating factors at play, of course - and no two recruitments are exactly the same - but even a bit of buzz for Penn State can be overcome.

Some pretty good talent out here, and a few with high VT interest. Will be posting updates on the board.

Brandon Smith to announce commitment May 21

Not likely to be VT, but he's one I wouldn't expect them to give up on (and who knows - if the Hokies can close on Devyn Ford this week, maybe it alters Smith's calculus a bit).

Still odd to me that VT cooled so quickly on Ben Smiley given the need there (and his talent), but there are a few other options out there:

Virginia Tech Hokies 2019 recruiting hotboard: Defensive line

2021 DB KeAndre Lambert:

KeAndre Lambert has Virginia Tech family connections

If VT were to offer (and he plans to work out at both QB and DB at camp to try to earn that offer), I would bet on that changing quickly:

https://virginiatech.rivals.com/news/west-virginia-athlete-names-rutgers-as-leader

Thought you guys might enjoy this...

In the week-plus that has passed since the NFL Draft, we’ve written plenty of stories here at Rivals.com breaking down the star rankings of various draftees. But today it’s time to wrap up a look at some former elite high school recruits that for one reason or another ended up not getting selected by any NFL teams. Here’s a breakdown of the four draft-eligible five-stars from the class of 2015 that didn’t hear their names called.


Kevin Toliver II
AP Images


As a recruit: Toliver made an early commitment to LSU during his sophomore season, and despite also taking official visits to Florida State, Virginia Tech and Ohio State during his senior season, ended up sticking with the Tigers.

In college: Despite entering a crowded defensive backfield upon his arrival in Baton Rouge, Toliver wasted no time making a name for himself as a true freshman, recording 35 tackles and one interception. It looked like he was well on his way to stardom but as it would turn out, that freshman season would be his best as a Tiger.

Toliver struggled with injuries as a sophomore in 2016 and missed several games and was also suspended for violating team rules. He was back healthy in 2017 and had a bounce-back season, recording 27 tackles, one interception and 10 pass deflections, albeit while missing the first game of the season due to another suspension. He elected to enter the NFL Draft despite having another year of eligibility remaining.

Now: Toliver signed as an undrafted free agent with the Chicago Bears.

Farrell’s take: The suspensions didn’t help nor did the injuries. This was a kid with a ton of talent and the rare size at corner, but there was always a question about if he could keep his focus. NFL teams are asking the same thing. He has the talent to stick but I’m not sure if he will.

You can see the rest of the list here.

Virginia Tech offensive line commit Jesse Hanson picked up a big offer yesterday: Clemson has played in the last three editions of the College Football Playoff, winning the 2016 national championship. It also happens to be the school where both his parents went.

Login to view embedded media
However, according to one of those Clemson alumni - his father, Paul - Hokie fans don't have anything to worry about at this point.

"This looks good for Tech, actually; He’s solid with VT but this was the 'childhood dream' so he and we are still pleased to get it," Paul Hanson said. "It kind of puts a final bow on that part of his life."

There's almost a poetry to it: as he moves from boyhood into manhood, Hanson gets a final gesture from one of the important aspects of that youthful stage in his life, allowing him to put an end to it and enter the adult stage of his life.

Of course, the Tigers didn't issue an offer to the four-star as simply a measure for him to celebrate his coming-of-age tale. They did it because Hanson is a very good player, and they would like to steal his commitment away from Virginia Tech. While the Hansons aren't going to completely shut the door on Dabo Swinney and Co., they've made it known that his future is in Blacksburg.

"Based on the reasons he chose Tech, it would be awful hard for Clemson to flip him now," Paul Hanson said. "They admittedly started with a mile-long lead when all this started, but that disappeared a long time ago. He’s not actively pursuing Clemson but we’re certainly not burning any bridges just like I know Tech’s not doing with other offensive linemen. Crazy unforeseen things happen sometimes, right? As long as nothing bad comes up, I see no reason why his commitment won’t hold true to the end."

Will he visit Death Valley or otherwise give indication that he's not 100% to VT? That's not in the plans at this time. My personal expectation is that he'll at least take a trip, even if nothing comes of it, but that the family will not go out of their way to publicize it in any way. That can be more dangerous than a "just checking it out but they don't have a chance" public stance.

Still, I do expect that Hanson ends up a Hokie. I also expect that it comes with a couple more twists and turns than his father predicts at this time.

As I said a few days ago, the attrition in the hoops program was going to be a guy that most folks probably wouldn't miss too badly:

Tyrie Jackson transferring to Northwest Florida State

At this point, Jackson is the only expected departure.

This is definitely something to keep an eye on - parents are Clemson grads, he grew up a fan - but he's been adamant throughout that he wouldn't commit to VT unless and until he was sure a Clemson offer wouldn't change his mind.

The feelings can change a bit when it becomes reality instead of just a hypothetical, of course.

Not expecting it to be VT, but the Hokies are a finalist:

VIDEO - 4-Star CB Tank Land Previews Final Four, Commitment

DE/Ath Reggie Grimes:

New Virginia Tech football offer: Reggie Grimes

Virginia Tech will host Rivals150 junior Audiese Toney this weekend for an official visit. Has the chance to reclassify into the 2018 class this summer. Either way, would be a quality pull for Buzz and crew. A talented and versatile 6-6 wing.

At a school that's quickly become familiar to Hokie fans:

New Virginia Tech football offer: Elijah Turner

After feeling like he was about to commit, the in-state lineman is going to take his time instead:

https://virginiatech.rivals.com/new...three-star-offensive-lineman-beaver-off-guard

That probably makes it more likely that VT will be a serious option in the end. They aren't right now (by their choice), but if he takes his time and things play out such that they don't land some of their top OL targets down the road, they could ramp the attention back up.

Rivals150 prospect Au'Diese Toney:

Au'Diese Toney taking his official visit to Blacksburg this weekend