I'll be the first to admit that I'm not the most-attentive when it comes to making picks in the
Rivals FutureCast (in part because it annoys the kids when you "tell them" they're going somewhere, and it's not worth their ire at times), but I made several in the past week, so let's talk through some of those.
Highland Springs (Va.) defensive end Rashaud Pernell
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Pernell has long been a kid who feels like one of the closest to picking the Hokies. A couple guys have certainly beaten him to the punch (Harrison Saint Germain and Braelin Moore were somewhat obvious, Devin Farrell's pledge happened quickly but was obvious once he got the offer, while Alex Orji happened as a bit of a surprise), but nothing has really changed the feeling that VT is on top. While he intends to take as many of his official visits as possible, the Hokies will host him before anyone else, and if his June 4 official visit goes well, we'll see if the rest of those trips happen.
Daleville (Va.) Lord Botetourt offensive lineman Gunner Givens
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The Hokies have pretty consistently prioritized Givens as one of their top overall recruits in the class. That was the case when he was a top-50 overall prospect in the nation, and it remains so now that he's a more run-of-the-mill four-star. Most of the other programs that Givens really likes, on the other hand (he has a final group that sees Alabama, Clemson, North Carolina, Ohio State, and Penn State joining VT) have seen their interest in him wane just a bit at the same time his rankings have fallen. While most of those schools would still like to land him, none of them have kept him as high on their board as VT, and he's felt that love. While the coaching staff had some missteps early in his process in terms of
how to pursue, that's been cleaned up, and the Orange and Maroon are in strong standing.
Suffolk (Va.) Kings Fork defensive end Kyree Moyston
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Moyston is another guy that the Hokies have prioritized more than any bigtime program, and another with whom that effort is paying off. The Hokies are no lock here (this FutureCast pick was a little more speculative than most I'm comfortable making - my own conservatism is another reason I don't do FutureCast a whole lot), but the staff feels that continuing to prioritize him should pay off. VT has the confidence in its ability to develop him physically, and that's what's provided the confidence to push. He plans to visit June 4, and like with Pernell, it could be the beginning of the end for his recruitment if things go well.
Others I'm close to making
In-state LB/Ath Tyler Banks - The decision to hold off here is largely based around the staff's decision to slow-play him. If they wanted to push, the Hokies could land him pretty easily. They've stepped back after it seemed like he could even commit in the Fall.
Florida LB Edwin Tara Kolenge - It's Kolenge's emergence that has probably played a major role in the staff's decisions so slow down on Banks's recruitment. There are other suitors here, but seeing campus and getting to interact with another native French speaker (Tara Kolenge, from Haiti by way of Canada, attends a boarding school in the Sunshine State) in Wilfried Pene could be close to a trump card. He's been a little fluid on when he wants to visit, but it would be a stunner if a trip didn't happen in June. If the staff likes what they see from him, it could mean pushing for a pledge - and potentially landing one.
Who do you think is most likely to be a Hokie?
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