Guys, just wanted to pass on that I'm told through our Texas site, OrangeBloods.com, that the Longhorns did reach out to coach Buzz Williams earlier this week about their vacant head coaching position. But for right now, it appears to be no more than a feeler. OrangeBloods tells me that Shaka Smart is by far the top candidate. If Smart turns them down, then they might make more of a run at Buzz, who is a Texas native. But it doesn't appear that serious right now, as everyone waits to see what Smart does.

I'll keep you guys updated on anything else that comes up.

Full story coming, but 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.[/B]

Guys, had this passed along, but Graham Bensinger did this interview on Stephen Curry for Yahoo! The whole interview is Curry talking about not getting an offer from VT and how his parents, including his dad Dell Curry, handled it. It's obviously still a sore spot.

Curry on Hokies

Guys, our recap of Cody Grimm being hired as a GA by the Hokies, plus other defensive changes:

Defensive adjustments

Brewer did not throw in practice. Does anyone know what the injury or ailment is that prevented him from practicing? Sure don't need him to be injured.

Guys, I caught up earlier with Henrico (Va.) 2016 three-star guard De'Monte Buckingham earlier, just to catch up. Buckingham is No. 148 in the Rivals150 and I saw him in Roanoke at a tournament last fall.

The big news, obviously, is Buckingham won a state championship a few weeks ago, leading Henrico to a 28-1 finish. But with that, Buckingham played all season with torn tissue in his right knee. He said he thought he had a bad sprain and wore a brace all season, but last Friday, had surgery to remove the tissue. He's now sitting out until early to mid May, so it's not a bad setback. But Buckingham said the pain started early in the season.

Bucklingham said he was very high on VCU, but now isn't sure with Shaka Smart leaving for Texas. Richmond has also made a huge push, as has East Carolina. But VT showed a lot of interest last fall and has basked off tremendously. But basically, the Hokies and about everyone else are waiting to see how he bounces back from surgery and how he plays at 100%. This summer, Buckingham will likely pull in a lot more offers, but for now, it's just waiting to see how he does this summer and who offers.

Full story coming, but 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.[/B]

This post was edited on 4/3 11:04 PM by Jason Stamm

De'Monte Buckingham profile

Likely to be announced Friday

Looks like Texas won't be calling Buzz anytime soon.

Guys, this week's podcast is out, as Doug and I recap the week in VT sports.

Latest HH podcast

I'm told Clemson has offered Kareem Felder

Guys, I spoke earlier with Ocean Lakes (Va.) class of 2017 Rivals100 RB Khalan Laborn, who visited VT this past weekend. He made the trip with fellow 2017 Rivals100 teammate Eric Crosby, who we already reported on, a few other teammates and his coach, Chris Scott, for the Hokies' coaching clinic.

Laborn is at 12 or 13 offers right now (he's not sure which), the most recent coming from Ole Miss a few weeks ago, which also offered Crosby at the same time. I get the sense right now that Laborn is pretty open with everything. He mentioned how Rutgers was the first place he'd visited, a few times, but nothing else really.

With VT, this was Laborn's first visit. He said he loved seeing Blacksburg and the surroundings and even ate pizza at Benny Marzano's downtown. He also liked seeing practice on Saturday morning and touring the campus, too.

The guy he said he spent the most time with was JC Coleman. And when they weren't hanging out, Laborn said he talked and hung out with assistant coach Zohn Burden, who's recruiting him. Crosby said he and Burden are very close, like family and that they talk to each other a lot. Burden wasn't the one recruiting him for Old Dominion, but it sounds like he's made up ground quickly since he's been with the Hokies.

There's absolutely no hurry here with Laborn. He said he will be at VT's spring game April 25 with Crosby and also wants to see Ohio State, Florida, Florida State, Alabama and others this summer. I'll see him at the Rivals Camp April 12, as he told me he'll be at the Charlotte stop, since that just worked out a little better.

Full story coming, but 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.[/B]

Khalan Laborn profile

Anyone know where he stands with the legal system, the university and the team?

3-star DL Joe Goff is high on schools like Pittsburgh, Maryland, Virginia Tech, Boston College and Vanderbilt but he says Navy is currently leading. Goff's brother currently plays for Navy. He recently visited Boston College, Navy, Virginia Tech and Maryland. Next week he will visit North Carolina, Wake Forest and Duke. Goff wants to commit some time in late summer.

Video

This was released earlier by VT athletics:


The Virginia Tech Athletics Department announced Wednesday some prices for individual game tickets this upcoming season, along with a series of promotions designed to enhance the fan experience at Lane Stadium.

The breakout of prices for individual games for season ticket holders is as follows: Ohio State ($90), Furman ($40), and all conference games ($55) for a total of $350 per season ticket. Currently, Hokie Club members and 2014 season ticket holders can renew their season tickets through next Monday, April 6. For those looking to renew, they can do so by logging on to HokieTickets.com or by calling 1-800-VA TECH4. If any season tickets remain available after the renewal process, they will be put on sale to the general public around April 20. Season ticket holders receive at least a $45 savings over individual game ticket prices.

The prices for individual game tickets, should they become available, are as follows: Furman ($45) and all conference games ($60), which include games against Pittsburgh, NC State, Duke and North Carolina.

Individual game pricing has not yet been determined for the Ohio State game. The only way for Tech fans to currently guarantee a seat to see the defending national champions on Sept. 7 at Lane Stadium is to purchase season tickets. There is no guarantee that individual game tickets will be available for sale. Contractually, the athletics department must also provide 4,000 tickets to Ohio State and will be charging OSU $110 per ticket, consistent with their pricing for Tech's 2014 game in Columbus.

Season ticket holders also will have exclusive access to a personal season ticket service executive, the option to purchase single-game tickets prior to the general public (including extra OSU individual game tickets if available), the opportunity to attend exclusive events/practices and more.

Tech has designated the Ohio State game on Labor Day as its "Orange Effect" game. Also, the athletics department announced that the Furman game on Sept. 12 will be the "White Effect" game along with Military Appreciation Day. Tech will recognize the 2015 inductees into the Virginia Tech Sports Hall of Fame at halftime of this game as well.

The Duke game on Oct. 24 will be the "Maroon Effect" game and also will serve as Homecoming. The official t-shirts of all these games will be available for purchase beginning at the Maroon-Orange Spring Game on April 25 and at the University Bookstore thereafter.

New this upcoming season will be the department's "Twenty4You" campaign. Twenty-four fan experience initiatives center on improving the gameday experience for all fans will be announced in August. The department conducted a survey of select fans after every home game during the 2014 season, asking an array of questions, including ones related to parking, concessions, in-game entertainment and others. Those results were analyzed, and the 24 initiatives will be implemented to create the greatest gameday atmosphere possible.

The athletics department wants to remind people to attend the annual Maroon-Orange Spring Game on Saturday, April 25, at 2 p.m. Admission is free, and fans can pick up a 2015 football poster. Also, Hokie Village, the pregame festival that debuted last fall, will be opening at 10:30 that morning and closing at 1:15 p.m.

Jason, what if anything can you tell us about Mike Thorne and does Buzz and staff have it to bring him in for a year? From all accounts, he sounds like he could be just our ticket to the dance next season...

This post was edited on 3/30 8:23 PM by sbonnie

This weekend marks the end of week two of spring football practice and there's plenty going on. There's also plenty going on with recruiting as well, especially with the Rivals Camp Series stops next weekend in Richmond and Charlotte that I'll be covering, with a lot of Hokies prospects. At 12:30 pm ET tomorrow (Friday), come get answers to all your questions on those topics and more. Take advantage of and get the very most out of your subscriptions with our chat that's only for subscribers like you!

Click HERE for this week's INsider Chat!

Guys, I talked a little earlier with class of 2017 Ocean Lakes (Va.) Rivals100 ATH Eric Crosby. As Adam Friedman first reported here, Crosby visited VT over the weekend with his coach, Chris Scott and a few of his teammates for an unofficial visit and to take part in the coaches' clinic.

Crosby said the trip was his first to VT, but he was impressed with the atmosphere, which was the opposite of what he thought it would be. The thing that stood out most to Crosby was the training room and how team doctors can do so much there.

Crosby has been recruited primarily by assistant coach Zohn Burden. And Crosby said Burden has leveled with him and gotten a good relationship. Crosby is a true athlete who plays all over the field. But Burden asked what he wanted to play in college, which is fullback and/or defensive tackle and Burden told him that's what the Hokies thought, too.

Aside from those positions, Crosby has also played running back, defensive end and linebacker. He'll be at the Rivals camp April 11 in Richmond and said he wants to play a little of offense and defense.

This spring, Crosby has also visited Virginia, Old Dominion and NC State. He still wants to see LSU sometime, though no date is set and plans on being back at VT April 25 for the spring game. Long way to go here, but the Hokies have positioned themselves very well here.

Full story coming, but 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.[/B]

Eric Crosby profile

spent 72 days in jail for a robbery he says he did not commit. The case has been dropped by the police due to lack of evidence.

He seems like a fine young man and I believe him when he says it was mistaken identity.

I hope he gets to fulfill his dream of playing college football and I hope VT stands by its offer.

Guys, class of 2017 ATH Lamont Wade from Clairton (Pa.) tweeted earlier that he'll be visiting VT for an upcoming scrimmage:



2h2 hours ago

Heading to Virginia Tech April 18th6 retweets24 favorites

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Lamont Wade profile

In the video linked below, OL Jesse Meyler says he really likes Vanderbilt, Pittsburgh, Northwestern and Wake Forest. He recaps visits to Boston College and Virginia Tech and will be visiting Wake Forest, Duke and North Carolina very soon.

Video

Searels addressed a number of his OL, including how Eric Gallo is looking at center and building depth behind him.

Searels video

It's been said that part of last year's success against OSU was due to them having little-to-no tape on Brewer.

Guys, I spoke just a little while ago with St Frances (Md.) three-star cornerback Kareem Felder. As you know, he committed to VT last month during the Feb. 7 junior day.

Since then, though, Felder has continued to blow up a bit. He's picked up offers from Ohio State, Clemson, Wake Forest and Kent State. And while Felder said he's still "committed" to the Hokies, he also is "open" to Ohio State and Clemson, though he still considers VT his "leader."

But he also has visits coming to all three of the teams he's open to. He'll be at Ohio State April 9, Clemson April 18 and at VT April 25 for the spring game.

But of the two, it sounds like Ohio State is the one to worry about. Felder said that assistant coach Torrian Gray is the one he feels like could maximize his potential, but he also feels that way about Ohio State. Clemson is the one I know a lot of people have been worried about, since his friend and former teammate, five-star LB Rahshaun Smith, committed there last week. Smith was at St Frances until he transferred to IMG Academy (Fla.) this semester.

If the Hokies can make it through April with Felder still committed, the odds are high that he stays that way. But he still wants to take official visits, which can always sway him, too. Definitely a guy to keep an eye on.

Full story coming, but 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.[/B]

Kareem Felder profile

Write it down. Not nearly as good now that teams have got the season under their belts. It appears the upper echelon teams got better at a higher rate as the season progressed.

But they were pretty awesome before the big timers got their ducks in a row.

Guys, I caught up with Grassfield (Va.) three-star athlete Grant Holloway[/B], just to see how everything is going with him. He's been busy. just not in football.

Holloway has been blazing everybody in track. The accolades he's picking up are very impressive. March 14, he became an all-American and the New Balance Nationals in New York City. He won the national title in the 60m hurdles with a time of 7.53 and was second in the high jump with 6-11 1/2 inches. At the VHSL state indoor meet last month, Holloway won the long jump and 60m hurdles (state record 7.19 seconds), was second in high jump and 300m dash and third in the 55m dash.

Holloway has a list a mile long from schools for track and football, a handful for both. VT is one of those. He admitted that unless a football coach has come to his school to talk, he has given football recruiting zero attention this year. The schools that have stood out to him for track are Virginia Tech, Virginia, Tennessee, Penn State, NC State and Ole Miss.

It sounds like the two that have a slight edge are VT and Tennessee right now. He cited Justin Hunter[/B] as a great example of how someone can thrive in both track and football with the Vols. But he also cited JC Coleman[/B] as an example of both with the Hokies.

His goal right now, after the state outdoor meet, is to earn a spot on the US Pan-American team. So right now, the only football activity he'll be doing is going to the Rivals Camp Series stop April 11 in Richmond.

After track season, Holloway does want to visit Clemson, Florida and Florida State. He said he's always been a fan of the Gators, so if they offer him, that might be the one to really watch.

Full story coming, but 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.[/B]

Grant Holloway profile

Guys, I spoke with three-star OL Thomas Jarrett Hopple to get more on his recruitment. He's said all the right things about the Hokies, but while he said he's "100 percent" with his decision, he also said he wants to take possibly all five of his official visits. So we'll see how it all plays out.

Hopple talks VT

Guys, for those interested, a brief look at Michael Brewer, the QBs and the Hokies' offense this spring.

Drill video