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Now have a great senior year.

On this week's podcast, we go over the start of Virginia Tech's spring practice. What are we looking for and what can we gauge from VT this spring? And with two big commitments yesterday, including Hendon Hooker, what does that mean for the Hokies? Plus, great finishes for basketball and wrestling. What are the expectations for both. And you never want to miss the expert analysis paired with the humor of publisher Jason Stamm, senior writer Doug Bowman and former Hokies DT Derrick 'Skip' Hopkins! Check out episode No. 52 of our free, weekly podcast!
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Never heard of him but apparently he just committed. Just watched some film and he seems like a solid LB. Good day for us with him and Hooker.

Virginia Tech just offered KJ Henry, a top DE in the 2018 cycle. He comes out of West Forsyth High School in Clemmons, North Carolina.

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Henry plays weak side defensive end and has attracted interest from a number of schools, including offers from Clemson, UNC, and NC State.

Here's his Rivals.com profile: https://n.rivals.com/content/prospects/maple/185681

Here's some highlights from his sophomore season:

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On this week's podcast, we go over the start of Virginia Tech's spring practice. What are we looking for and what can we gauge from VT this spring? And with two big commitments yesterday, including Hendon Hooker, what does that mean for the Hokies? Plus, great finishes for basketball and wrestling. What are the expectations for both. And you never want to miss the expert analysis paired with the humor of publisher Jason Stamm, senior writer Doug Bowman and former Hokies DT Derrick 'Skip' Hopkins! Check out episode No. 52 of our free, weekly podcast!
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I saw that Durkin switched positions to TE. I thought there were strong indications he would transfer to UMD?

Late Thursday night, 3* Jacksonville, FL OLB / RB Aundre Kearney committed to the Hokies, their second commitment on Thursday.

More info coming soon.

Here's the link to what Jason wrote about Kearney:

https://virginiatech.n.rivals.com/news/kearney-gives-late-night-vt-pledge

Login to view embedded media even though he is super duper locked in for FSU! I'm Gonna get down to watch him play this year in person along with LB#10 E.Gilyard #TrinityChristian

Our full breakdown of Hooker's VT commitment:
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Guys, I mentioned it on the INsider the other night, but Mallard Creek (NC) three-star OL Eric Douglas has changed a top 7 to a top 8. He's dropped Clemson and also added Missouri to the list:
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A rumored Buzz Williams landing spot has been filled, as Pitt coach Jamie Dixon is heading to TCU per reports on Twitter. I think Ok State was always a better job for Buzz (but still don't see it happening this year).

Interesting job opening up at Pitt too. They were a perfect fit for the Big East in basketball. I think their move to the ACC makes it more difficult to compete consistently there.

This is gonna have the Tarholes all in an uproar!

"But a key detail about UNC's experience with academic fraud has gone largely unnoticed -- thanks to the university's assiduous PR management and a strangely desultory NCAA investigation. The system of academic fraud cooked up around 1990 was initially intended to benefit one team in particular: the men's basketball team.

The first UNC course offered as a favor to the basketball team, scheduled in 1988, was an independent study for two painfully weak students who hovered at or below the eligibility line. They received helpful B's, and out of that little experiment the UNC course scam was born. In fall 1992 one star of the basketball team ostensibly pursued an independent study with a faculty member who was on sabbatical at the time. (I know this because I shared a fellowship leave with that faculty member.) This had to have been one of the "shadow" courses offered by the administrative assistant who played such a central role in the fraud, a generous woman whose closest friend was the basketball team's academic counselor. She assigned A or B grades in the shadow courses, which required no attendance and little work. One player on the 1993 team took seven suspect courses with her help; four starters on that team majored in the department where she worked. UNC's 1993 championship run seems to have been aided and abetted by fraud."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jay-m-smith/college-basketball-an-unhealthy-addiction_b_9463152.html

The guys at the Solid Verbal and SB Nation host a podcast, they interviewed Justin Fuente in a podcast published today. Check it out. Not a whole lot of specific, interesting stuff, but it's more Fuente so....
http://www.sbnation.com/the-solid-v...cast-virginia-tech-2016-preview-fuente-beamer
http://www.sbnation.com/the-solid-v...cast-virginia-tech-2016-preview-fuente-beamer

Guys, I just got word from a VT staff source that the Hokies are expecting Battlefield (Va.) three-star DE Brailyn Franklin to visit today. Franklin is expected to arrive around lunch and stay through practice tonight. Plenty more coming.

As always, what's posted here, STAYS HERE. Don't de-value your own subscription by giving away information to others who don't pay like you do. It's also a violation of our terms of service and will result in the termination of your subscription.

Guys, I spoke earlier with South County (Va.) 2018 WR Dillon Spalding. VT just offered him March 15, becoming his second offer, behind Tennessee.

Spalding said he likes that the Hokies have a brand new coaching staff. He said he's never been, but likes that he also knows a lot of people from his high school who are or have been to VT. Assistant coach Holmon Wiggins is the one recruiting here and Spalding said he liked when Wiggins told him they would be running some five-wide sets.

The only visit Spalding has planned right now, though, is April 15 for Tennessee's spring game. He doesn't know a lot about the Vols, either, but said he's looking forward to the big crowd at Neyland Stadium.

This is a recruitment that is literally just getting off the ground. Spalding hasn't taken any visits to colleges, past a seven-on-seven tournament to Maryland when he was in eighth grade that he doesn't really remember. Hard to get a lot here, until Spalding visits VT, which could happen for the Hokies' spring game April 23.

As always, what's posted here, STAYS HERE. Don't de-value your own subscription by giving away information to others who don't pay like you do. It's also a violation of our terms of service and will result in the termination of your subscription.

Guys, this obviously won't be a daily thing, but lots going on right now and wanted to update you guys on everything going on.

First off, I spoke with sources on the Notre Dame staff about Dudley (NC) three-star QB Hendon Hooker. They've told me they aren't taking another quarterback after they took a commitment from three-star QB Avery Davis. That, plus the factors I've listed before on here, like Mook Reynolds, Matt Canada leaving NC State for Pitt, where Hooker hasn't visited, etc. and the odds are about 97% now that Hooker will choose VT when he announces tomorrow. NC State is one to watch here as they've been in contact the most, but it sounds like the Hokies will win this battle.

Still trying to nail down the exact stuff on Hooker's announcement, but I'm told that it's on ESPN Radio in Greensboro and will be around 6 pm tomorrow. That is very subject to change, once I get the finalized details. But for now, that's what I'm told.

Benedictine (Va.) four-star LB Ellis Brooks will be announcing his decision at 12:30 pm tomorrow. And unfortunately in this case, it's about 97% in favor of Duke. I spoke with some VT staff sources earlier in the day who didn't feel good about the Hokies' chances. I also spoke to sources in Brooks' camp, who told me that Duke will be the pick. Worth keeping an eye on, but don't expect VT to win this battle.

I also spoke at length with Hylton (Va.) assistant coach John Harris. He accompanied 2018 stud RB Ricky Slade and his dad, Ricky Sr. to VT for a visit today. It's Hylton's spring break. Slade was sleeping in the car when I talked to Harris, so nothing direct from him just yet, but it will come over the next few days.

Harris did tell me this was Slade's first visit to VT since the Ohio State game, so it was the first chance he had to talk with Justin Fuente and the new staff. Harris told me that he and the Slades watched the Hokies in the weight room, sat in on meetings and spoke more at length with assistant coach Zohn Burden offensive coordinator Brad Cornelsen.

"He really got to know 'em better," Harris said. "He's seen a lot of the stuff. But it was more of a junior day for him." Harris told me they also liked seeing things under construction because "that means it's gonna be new for the next few years." Harris said they don't have any plans to return to Blacksburg right now, but will definitely get back for a game this fall. He told me it will likely be the Liberty game, since that best fits Hylton's football schedule right now.

Finally, I've also confirmed through my Rivals network sources that Lackey (Md.) four-star linebacker Nathan Proctor will be visiting VT Friday. Proctor is ranked No. 234 in the Rivals250. Recap coming on him after his visit.

Hope you all have had great weeks! Lots going on with the Hokies, with more offers going out, decisions and visitors ongoing, plus the start to spring practice. At 12:30 pm ET tomorrow (Friday), get answers to all your VT-related questions! Get the very most out of your subscriptions and come chat with us!

Chat link: http://bit.ly/1LJhVX8

New offer out today from V, to Cardinal Gibbons (Fla.) three-star wide receiver Leroy Henley. More coming.
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That is a big deal in that region. I thought they were too talented and deep to get beat by anyone in that bracket.

Rivals250 LB Ellis Brooks has scheduled his commitment announcement for tomorrow at 12:30 at his school. The finalists are Notre Dame, Duke, Michigan, Virginia, and Virginia Tech.

Story: Rivals250 LB sets announcement date

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Tweet from Jeff Borzello indicates VT is looking at Kory Holden, who is transferring from Delaware after averaging 17.7 ppg as a sophomore. He'd have to sit out a year, but he has a redshirt year available for that.

Interesting that VT is in this market, I assume he's just too talented not to get in on. But I thought VT would save any open schollie for a big man grad transfer.

As always, what's posted here, STAYS HERE. Don't de-value your own subscription by giving away information to others who don't pay like you do. It's also a violation of our terms of service and will result in the termination of your subscription.

Guys, just wanted to pass on that Hylton (Va.) 2018 RB Ricky Slade will be at VT today. I spoke with his coach, John Harris, who told me just a minute ago that they are en route and a couple of hours away.

Harris told me they're "coming to hang out for the day." PLENTY of coverage coming on this one, which is a big deal at this point, to get Slade down for the day for plenty of one-on-one time with the coaching staff.

As always, what's posted here, STAYS HERE. Don't de-value your own subscription by giving away information to others who don't pay like you do. It's also a violation of our terms of service and will result in the termination of your subscription.

Guys, just a few tidbits to pass along here on late Tuesday night.

First off, I talked at length with Adam Friedman earlier about Dudley (NC) three-star quarterback Hendon Hooker. He still will be announcing Thursday morning on a local television station in Greensboro. He's supposed to be calling me tomorrow to give more details on station and time. Still waiting to confirm with a very good source at Notre Dame, but it sounds like the Irish are not taking another quarterback after taking one over the weekend. So it sounds like overwhelming odds that Hooker picks Virginia Tech. But even if he commits, there is a lot of thinking that he could open his recruitment up and continue to look around, especially if Notre Dame changes its mind.

Virginia Tech had a visitor today in Lafayette (Va.) WR Hezekiah Grimsley. I haven't been able to get hold of him yet, but the feedback I've gotten from the coaching staff is that it went well. He was on hand throughout the early evening for practice and also got to VT in the middle of the afternoon to look around campus a bit and also talk to the coaches. Updates coming.
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I've confirmed that the Hokies will host another target on Friday night. Episcopal (Va.) four-star DE Luiji Vilain will make the trek down to VT. Vilain is ranked No. 89 in the Rivals100, so that's definitely a big deal. We'll have plenty of coverage on this one, including reaction from him.

Finally, I'll have another INsider post, but I spoke just a little while ago with Mallard Creek (NC) three-star offensive lineman Eric Douglas. VT just offered last week, but already, Douglas told me he has the Hokies in his top 8. He's taken Clemson out of a previous top list. Now, his 8 consists of Virginia Tech, Penn State, Maryland, South Carolina, Florida, North Carolina, Missouri and NC State. He'll be at Maryland and Penn State this weekend. No mention of a VT visit, but expect one this spring.

As always, what's posted here, STAYS HERE. Don't de-value your own subscription by giving away information to others who don't pay like you do. It's also a violation of our terms of service and will result in the termination of your subscription.

Guys, I spoke earlier with Bethel (Va.) 2018 athlete Mondo Walker. He's the younger brother of current Hokies DT Ricky Walker. No offers yet, but certainly one to keep an eye on, if nothing else but for the connection.

Mondo Walker said he has heard a bit from VT, Virginia and Dartmouth. He told me he doesn't believe his brothers (Rio Walker played for UVA) have said anything to the coaching staffs for him to get an offer. "I don’t want Ricky to do anything, I want everything to be earned," Mondo said.

With VT, assistant coach Zohn Burden has reached out, so Mondo is on the radar. He's also heard a little from assistant coach Charley Wiles, who is recruiting his teammate, Jeremiah Owusu, who right now only has a Charlotte offer. There hasn't been much conversation yet with Mondo, but he told me he definitely would love a Hokies offer.

Back in the fall, Mondo visited Richmond, North Carolina and NC State. He plans on camping at VT, UVA and Clemson, among others this summer. Full story coming.