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Tunnel Talk EXTRA: Changing situations for top targets...

Big developments with three Hokie prospects this week.

We'll start with the bad news... Warminster (Pa.) Archbishop Wood tight end Kyle Pitts has re-accelerated his timeline once more. The four-star announced a commitment for the week of Nike's The Opening at the beginning of this month - that choice was almost certainly going to be Florida - but postponed it in order to make sure he got a bit more due diligence in. That due diligence was going to include another visit to Blacksburg, which VT needed to make up ground on the Gators.

Now, Pitts plans to announce his college commitment Thursday, before getting the chance to take that trip to Virginia Tech. That obviously bodes well, and unless he has a pretty contrived plan (something like committing to VT before taking the trip to the BBQ), Florida is going to win out here. The Hokies' coaches aren't going to give up even if they're not the choice. However, with the current plan being just one tight end in the class, they'll gladly pursue both Pitts and in-stater James Mitchell.

The other two pieces of news are not considered positives, but certainly less "definitely negative" than the Pitts news.

First, Detroit Cass Tech four-star defensive back Kalon Gervin picked up an offer from Alabama over the weekend. The Technicians took pretty much their entire team to Tuscaloosa (an annual tradition for the Tide's 7-on-7 team camp), and as is often the case, the top prospect on the roster earned an offer. In the past, though, those offers have been of the "take it now or leave it forever" variety - if they were ever committable at all. The Cass Tech camp will try to spend a few days figuring out where exatly Gervin fits into Nick Saban's plans.

Gervin admitted to Josh Helmholdt that Alabama will have an impact here, but it remains to be seen if their recent entry will be enough to stave off what was trending strongly toward a commitment at the Blacksburg BBQ this weekend. It's entirely possible Gervin goes through with it after all - or only delays a few days after. VT is in strong position, but sealing the deal this weekend is no longer a foregone conclusion.

The other change was more in the Pitts mold - though the opposite direction - with two-way 757 lineman Jalen Alexander pushing back a commitment that he'd been planning to make Aug. 5. VT was in good shape here, but Alexander had remained pretty quiet about how he ordered his top five. In that respect (the VT coaches were cautiously optimistic, but hadn't been told they'd be the choice), it may be a good thing that he both 1) has more opportunity to check out VT and 2) is sure of his choice before making it.

As we've discussed many times in the past, the Hokies like him as an offensive prospect as much as a defensive lineman - whereas most other suitors are D all the way. His potential is certainl higher in the former, though he has a slight preference for the latter. We'll see how VT's recruitment plays out, but this is far from the end of their pursuit.

football recruiting

I see where Tech is currently ranked #10 in the country recruiting. I know its early in the game but I can't recall Tech ever being ranked that high before. Seems that Fuentes has build some inroads into North Carolina that are paying off. Hopefully he can be somewhat selective from here on in and get some more 4* kids and perhaps even a 5* or two to complete Tech's best recruiting class ever.

Starting QB Job

Saw on another post that Hooker could win the starting job. Is he just that good or is JJ just regressed over the year? I honestly think JJ wins it Hooker RS's. But others seem to think Hooker is the real deal. Didn't get to go to spring game so haven't seen much footage if any. Do you guys think Hooker could lead the Hokies to a 9-10 win season as a freshman? I mean, Vick did take us to a National Title game as a freshman, but he was a generational talent.
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