From @RivalsFriedman:

Hooker was shown shaking and almost convulsing on the sideline during a December game against Clemson. When asked about his player after the game, Virginia Tech coach Justin Fuente said his quarterback was "cold." The game time temperature was 37 degrees. Hooker said the medicine they'd used during the scope of his heart had "reactivated."

"You're sitting on the sidelines so long with no movement," Hooker recalled. "You're on the top of the mountain [at Virginia Tech]. There's no heat on the sidelines. You try to do some jumping jacks. All the sudden, my body just starts to shake.


"My teeth are chattering. I see my fingernails turning blue. What in the world? This is crazy! To come back in the next day [and see] my coach told the media I was just cold was hurtful. I didn't know what to say."

In that game, Hooker completed one pass, fumbled a snap and never play another down at Virginia Tech. The Hokies went with Braxton Burmeister to finish the season. It became clear there was no future for him there.

"I grew up in Blacksburg," Hooker said figuratively. "A lot of my friends from home came because I was there already. I tried to handle it professionally. … I jumped in the [transfer] portal a couple of days later. I remember coming in to tell Coach Fuente about it. It brought tears to my eyes because I really enjoyed being there."

Hendon Hooker is a legit Heisman candidate! Dude is balling and we have to watch this for how long? I’m not sure he ain’t playing next level at this point!

Come hang out, we'll be here all afternoon. Share your predictions if you haven't yet!

My prediction's in the story. What are yours?

2022 Virginia Tech Hokies football preview: Miami

I caught up with Marcus Benjamin of our Miami site for the latest on the Canes:

Opponent intel: Miami

Still building it (and there are some guys without Rivals profiles who aren't on the list, but have confirmed their attendance to me):

VT Visitors: Miami

Not a half-bad group for a 12:30 matchup between two teams with losing records.

The reward for blocking a punt against Pitt:

PJ Prioleau to wear Beamer 25 against Miami

Wisconsin OL Logan Brown will transfer:

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Joe Rudolph was obviously his lead recruiter out of high school. I would note, though, that he's from maybe 30 minutes away from Muskegon, where Kalil Pimpleton is from. A new staff in Blacksburg, yes, but there aren't necessarily rosy feelings about the Hokies in West Michigan, either. Out of high school, there were basically no options for him other than Michigan and Wisconsin (even though he had basically every offer you could possibly want), and I'd add Michigan State into the mix for the re-recruitment.

Hokies will have to work hard and get some breaks to have a real shot here.

For Pennix:

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Should be official/public shortly.

The latest from inside the world of Hokies recruiting.

The Hokies will find out their fate with Concord (Va.) Appomattox County 2023 CB/RB Jonathan Pennix today. Although the Hokies didn't make his top 10 list late in the Summer, they offered in the time since, he took an official visit for the Boston College game, and they're firmly in the mix when he makes the call at 8 p.m.

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As I've said since the day he picked up the offer, the main factor as to whether he ultimately picks the Hokies is how wanted he feels. He is an in-state player with a teammate who's solidly committed to Virginia Tech, and visited a half-dozen times before he ever held an offer (showing his one-sided interest at the time). I have every reason to believe the Orange and Maroon have a legit desire to land him, and his statements indicate that they've made that clear to him.

A quick rise from off the list to landing him appears poised to reach its endpoint this evening. I would recommend staying locked to Hokie Haven around 8 p.m.

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The Hokies finally came in for an offer to Nolensville (Tenn.) receiver Chance Fitzgerald after he was brought to their attention this Summer. The three-star is high on the Hokies, and plans to make a visit soon.

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Fitzgerald spoke on the phone with head coach Brent Pry last night, his first opportunity to get an extended conversation with the headman. That is a good representation of both his interest in the Hokies and the importance they're placing on a late-rising player in the 2023 cycle. It also gave him the opportunity to plan a visit for this weekend (another representation of his interest, given he's got like a dozen new offers and is choosing to visit Blacksburg). His combination of size and explosiveness is exactly what VT is lacking on the current roster, and while the likes of Marcell Baylor - and perhaps some of his DB/WR classmates who could ultimately end up on offense - more talent is always better.

There is a vibe emanating out of the Merryman center that his late run of scholarship offers could make it tough to end up being capital-T capital-O The One for Fitzgerald. The Hokies feel like he's a kid whose mentors are casting a wide, wide net late in the process (as his senior film and transcripts have led many to pull the trigger on offers), and while Virginia Tech appears to be one he has legitimate interest in, they're hardly alone in that, and winning over both player and family will be important.

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In an INSIDE piece just over a week ago, I mentioned that outgoing Transfer Portal moves will have an impact on the Virginia Tech roster in subsequent years (most of all next year, as the attrition from a coaching change hits after guys have a year to learn where/whether they fit into the staff's long-term plans). Quarterback is one spot where that appears to be the case. With Grant Wells sporting at least one more year of eligibility, and true freshman Devin Farrell rising to No. 3 on the depth chart, some may not see a path to playing time.

With Dylan Wittke in the 2023 class, the Hokies are off to a good start. But there may be a need for more depth. Nebraska commit William Watson is, like most guys committed to the Huskers, pretty shaky in his pledge.

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Watson has also reached out to the Hokies, though it's unclear at this point how serious they'll get about him. Quarterbacks coach Brad Glenn and offensive coordinator Tyler Bowen both spent time in New England during the Evaluation Period last Spring, though I haven't confirmed that they were able to specifically drop by Springfield (Mass.) Central. At this stage, the interest is very early and generated from the prospect's end. But it wouldn't surprise me if it developed into more, and in a hurry.

Thanks for visiting! As always, feel free to use this thread to discuss the topics herein.

From @RobCassidy_Rivals:

Recruiting rumor mill: Hokies trending with Fland?

Keeping a running list, as during the Summer...

Sept. 10 - Boston College
2023 QB Kevin Barton
2023 ⭐️⭐️⭐️ WR Chris Culliver (UNC commit)
2023 OL Brayden DeMasi (Hokie legacy Brayden DeMasi gets the recruit experience)
2023 RB Ben Gibbs
2023 RB Caleb Hampton (Caleb Hampton considering Hokies on the diamond and gridiron)
2023 Ath Colton Hinton
2023 QB Brody Jones
2023 LS Jack Mowrey
2023 DE Cameron Perfater (Senior DE Cameron Perfater takes in Blacksburg)
2023 LB Elijah Rainer
2023 QB Wesley Thompson (Wesley Thompson takes in a Hokie night game)
2024 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ LB Kristopher Jones
2024 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ WR Chanz Wiggins
2024 ⭐️⭐️⭐️ DE Cooper Ackerman
2024 ⭐️⭐️⭐️ LB Jordan Boyd
2024 ⭐️⭐️⭐️ DE Makai Byerson (Makai Byerson is a regular face in Blacksburg)
2024 ⭐️⭐️⭐️ TE Gavin Grover (Electric atmosphere in Blacksburg for offered 2024 TE Gavin Grover)
2024 ⭐️⭐️⭐️ TE Luca Puccinelli
2024 OL Eagan Boyer
2024 OL Ethan Calloway (Ethan Calloway makes it back to Blacksburg)
2024 OL Eli Campbell
2024 WR/S Chris Cole (Chris Cole feels the energy in Lane Stadium)
2024 RB Traevon Dunbar
2024 WR Gavin Frederick (Gavin Frederick building bonds with Prioleau)
2024 RB Amir Hairston (Amir Hairston sees Blacksburg)
2024 DE Kendal Howard
2024 Ath Keyshawn Robinson (2024 DB Keyshawn Robinson takes in Hokie night game)
2024 DT Noah Rosahac (2024 lineman Noah Rosahac checks out VT)
2024 QB Elijah Tillery (QB Eljah Tillery amazed by night game in Lane)
2024 LB Langston White
2024 Ath Isaiah Williams (Isaiah Williams gets a taste of VT)
2025 CB Terrance Edwards (Deuce Edwards 'loves VT' after visit)
2025 Ath Kamden Laudenslager (2025 athlete Kamden Laudenslager had an amazing day at Virginia Tech)
2025 CB Koven Smith
Hoops 2024 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ SG Trentyn Flowers
Hoops 2024 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ F Drew McKenna

Sept. 17 - Wofford
2023 ⭐️⭐️⭐️ RB/Ath Jonathan Pennix (2023 ATH Jonathan Pennix updates recruitment)
2023 LB Zayvion Estes
2023 DB Jordan Harris
2023 DB Terrance Howard
2023 DB Rodney Knight Jr
2023 OL Caleb Nitta
2023 WR Tymere Thornton
2024 ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Ath Kemori Dixon
2024 ⭐️⭐️⭐️ QB Riley Trujillo
2024 LS Grant Mills
2025 OL Judd Taylor

Sept. 22 - West Virginia
2024 WR/S Chris Cole
2024 WR Landen Clark
Hoops 2024 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ C Mouhamed Dioubate
Hoops 2024 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ F Jadyn Harris
Hoops 2024 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ wing Jaeden Mustaf

Oct. 15 - Miami
2023 ⭐️⭐️⭐️ CB commit Dante Lovett
2023 WR/Ath Aziah Johnson
2024 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️WR Alex Taylor
2024 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ OL Fletcher Westphal
2024 OL Noah Patterson
2025 Ath Tyshawn Sanders
2025 DT DeMario Moore
2025 WR AJ Wallace
2026 WR/DB Aaron Gregory
2026 ATH Chris Hewitt

Nov. 5 - Georgia Tech

Nov. 26 - Virginia
2024 QB Davi Belfort

On now.

More on new 2023 WR target Chance Fitzgerald out of Nolensville (Tenn.), who is planning to be at VT this weekend

He'll be in Blacksburg for the Miami game



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From @Tyler Bannerman:

Rivals250 quarterback Demond Williams discusses top schools

With a decommitment at CB and a handful of new offers in the past week-plus, a look at where the skill positions stand in the class:

Virginia Tech Hokies 2023 miniboard: Receiver and defensive back