Do we get any game changers in 2016 class

Guys, full story coming shortly, but I spoke just a little while ago with new Hampton (Va.) three-star ATH commit, Jovonn Quillen. He's first cousins with RB Marshawn Williams and that played a big factor in his decision.

Quillen said Williams has told him he's known that Quillen would pick the Hokies. Williams has said he's "waiting on me." Quillen said they played rec ball together and he's gotten to see Williams grow into what he is now. The line of Hampton Crabbers who have gone on to VT, like Williams, Tyrod Taylor and Deon Newsome also played a role.

Quillen played a number of positions this past fall, including quarterback, but he said he's not sure where he'll play at VT. It sounds like he could make a good safety for the Hokies, as he's bigger than the other three commits who will play cornerback. He said assistant Cornell Brown told him VT likes him on both sides of the ball.

Quillen had an Old Dominion offer, too, but said he's solid in his decision. He runs track and qualified for the 300m at the state indoor meet. That was supposed to be this weekend, but has gotten pushed to next weekend due to the snow. Because of that, Quillen said he'll likely be at VT's recruit stuff on Saturday.

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]

Jovonn Quillen profile

JoVonn Quillen has committed to VT

Profile

In the article linked below, 2017 RB Khalan Laborn talks about getting offers from Virginia, Florida State, Ohio State, Arizona State, Virginia Tech, Tennessee and Charlotte in one day.

Article

For those interested, coach Buzz Williams' full post-game press conference after the Duke game:

Williams recaps Duke loss

John Aaron Foster 6'3 315lbs St. James high Murrells Inlet SC

https://twitter.com/yawhoos

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J70wVv4GT8c&feature=youtu.be

What are everyone's predictions for the VT / Duke game tonight?

I personally think VT is going to have a hard time against Duke, which is probably predictable. I don't think Duke will have a hard time winning 15 or more. It could be another game that is in the 75-55 range.

VT has offered 2017 RB Khalan Laborn. This his 6th offer of the day. UVA, FSU, OSU, Charlotte and Arizona State offered earlier.

Seeing we got a new member of the football staff today. We going to get a story on this??

One of the biggest targets on the board for VT just came off it this afternoon. Five-star safety Saivion Smith announced his commitment to LSU. I will say, though, expect the Hokies to keep working this one.

On a side note, anyone notice how LSU is being referred to as 'DBU'?

Smith's a Tiger

Guys, this afternoon, assistant coach Charley Wiles officially offered Vero Beach (Fla.) DE Pat Bethel. And he's a big one, No. 234 in the Rivals250.

Pat Bethel profile

Guys, this was released last week, but wanted to let you all know that VT is hosting its coaches clinic March 26-28. St Louis Rans defensive coordinator Gregg Williams and Tennessee Titans QBs coach Jon McNulty are the featured guests.

While I realize that most of you aren't coaches and therefore can't attend, this is an important weekend to note because a ton of high school coaches from the mid-Atlantic will be in attendance. And with that, a lot of them bring a few of their players with them to take in the weekend and basically make a three-day extended unofficial visit. It happens every year. I haven't received word on anybody specifically yet, but when I do, I'll pass on.

This is the first full weekend of spring practice, which starts March 24. So the coaches and recruits on hand will also be taking in VT's practices.

Coaches Clinic brochure

Guys, I spoke earlier with South Mecklenburg (NC) three-star defensive end Zack Gilbert just a while ago. He's one of the more recent offers for VT, that came at the early part of the month.

Gilbert has a lot of good offers, though, including North Carolina, Wake Forest, Tennessee, Duke, Florida, West Virginia, Pittsburgh, Boston College, Charlotte and old Dominion. He says he's wide open, but I get the sense that VT is sitting behind UNC and Pitt, where he's a legacy, right now.

The good news is that Gilbert is visiting the Hokies this weekend for their recruit assembly. This will be his first trip to VT, but he's already established a good bond with assistant coach Shane Beamer, whom Gilbert calls "something special." Gilbert is also good friends with Hokies early enrollee Adonis Alexander, who's also from Charlotte.

It seems to me like we'll know a lot more about how Gilbert feels about VT after this weekend. He talked a lot about wanting to see a school and team that are like family and that help each other out.

The other big thing with Gilbert is he's coming off a torn labrum that he suffered in the last game of the regular season in November. He did return for the playoffs, but has been rehabbing since. Gilbert said he'll be fully healthy in time for the Rivals Camp in April, but we'll see.

Gilbert has only been to NC State's junior day this year. He has a long list of schools he'd like to see this spring, including South Carolina, Clemson, Pittsburgh, Duke, UNC and NC State and also talked about possibly already taking officials when the season starts to VT and WV.

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]

Looking forward to you suiting up in the maroon/orange at DBU! If Coach Torrian Gray recruited you, obviously you've got ability to be a lockdown DB!

DC Coach Bud Foster's defenses are legendary, add a few lbs and bring the hammer VT DB's are known for delivering!

Let's go Hokies!

Continuing our Q&A series with all the VT signees, three-star CB DuWayne Johnson. On a side note, this is a kid who was trying to enroll early, but for whatever reason, it didn't work out. But because of that, he's only taking one class this semester, dancing. I told Johnson he's kinda like how Matt Leinart was in his last year at USC, when he notoriously took ballroom dancing, lol. Johnson will be at VT in May, though, to start summer classes.

Johnson Q&A

Guys, confirmed from my VT staff sources that the Hokies have offered four-star WR Dredrick Snelson from American Heritage (Fla.). Snelson is No. 24 in the Rivals100.

I saw Snelson in person last summer in Jacksonville at the Rivals Underclassman Challenge. He committed to Miami that day, before opening things up this past fall. Kinda surprised VT has waited this long to go in on him, but we'll see. Another one of those who has to get to VT on a visit for the Hokies to have any kind of chance here.

Dredrick Snelson profile

Didn't take long for three-star CB Troy Pride to get his second offer. He committed to VT, the only offer he had, on Friday. Yesterday, he was offered by Marshall.

Hard to see this one sticking. He visited Georgia Saturday and will be at Georgia Tech Saturday. Long way to go here.

Marshall Offers Pride

Admittedly, I am not a basketball guru, but as I watch our basketball games I have to wonder why we are not putting more shooters on the floor. Specifically, I see Wilson in the game as a ball handler; however, everyone knows he can't shoot the ball. Because of this, opponents are playing off of him and are able to put more pressure on the other four players on the court.

Somebody with more basketball knowledge please explain this to me. I'll take the small reduction in ball handling for the increased ability to score.

I'm looking forward to next year, but also want to see more of a chance for a win this year as well.

Guys, our more thorough breakdown of three-star WR Sam Denmark, how he got to his decision and what it means for the Hokies:

Breaking down Denmark commit

Guys, just wanted to pass on that I spoke to assistant coach Zohn Burden this afternoon and he said that, as expected, he will be taking over former assistant Aaron Moorehead's recruiting area. Burden will be recruiting Virginia Beach, as well as Washington DC, Baltimore, the rest of Maryland and Delaware.

Again, this is basically what's been expected, but has now been confirmed.

Here's my look at VT baseball last week. Today's game against Radford was postponed, probably due to a combination of the Hokies playing three games over the last two days and the snow that has frozen over in Blacksburg.

They struggled to hit in games they should have won over the weekend but I'm really encouraged by the pitching performances of McGarity, Woodcock, and Scheetz.

https://virginiatech.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1740284

Guys, with highlight film included, here's our full analysis of how Troy Pride got to his commitment, what it means for VT and where the Hokies go from here. Analysis from Rivals analyst Woody Wommack as well.

Breaking down Pride to VT

Just to recap today, the DBs went.

Kyshoen Jarrett ran a 4.57 40-yard dash, has 21 bench press reps, 33-inch vertical, 109-inch broad jump, 6.95-second three-cone drill, 4.4 second 20-yard shuttle and 11.61-second 60-yard shuttle.

Detrick Bonner had 15 bench press reps, but didn't do anything else. Not sure why.

NFL Combine tracker

Guys, I spoke earlier with Hanahan (SC) three-star wide receiver Sam Denmark, who committed to the Hokies late last night. I will say, the big thing here right off the bat is that he said he's "a hundred percent" with his decision and doesn't plan on taking any more visits.

Denmark was first offered by assistant coach Shane Beamer in September. Denmark then visited VT for the Boston College game and was at the junior day Feb. 7. He told me what stood out to him is he wasn't treated any differently on both trips and loved the overall hospitality. He also talked to current players and seniors who just played last fall and liked what he heard.

Over the past few weeks, starting at the junior day, Denmark said he loved what he heard from assistant coach Zohn Burden. Denmark said they really hit it off and said he "could really see myself playing under him."

The other big thing with Denmark is his speed. He won the state 100 meter-dash last year for Class AAA at 10.92 seconds. Denmark said there's a possibility he could run track at VT, but that he hasn't spoken with any of the track coaches yet.

This is a kid who because of his speed, is a huge pickup. Denmark was at the Rivals250 Underclassmen Challenge in 2013 and I saw him in person at the RCS in Charlotte last spring. He didn't do anything to jump out, but his speed was evident and he was very consistent.

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]

Sam Denmark profile

Guys, first reported tonight by ESPN's Jeff Goodman, but my sources have confirmed that fifth year senior Joey Van Zegeren, who was dismissed from VT last month, has transferred to Northwestern. He's on track to graduate this spring, in which case, he won't have to sit out any time and will have one more season left of eligibility.