Expected to be one of the top 2025 recruits in the region:

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A big week for Virginia Tech seems to be inevitable. A number of top prospects have had long-scheduled commitment dates over the Fourth of July weekend, and several more have established commitment timelines for this stretch. With a Dead Period now under way, it makes sense for guys who feel like they've seen enough to make that call.

The latest to set a commitment date is Indianapolis Decatur Central linebacker Aycen Stevens, who is getting his recruitment over with tomorrow afternoon:

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The 6-5, 230-pounder is positionally versatile, and while inside linebackers coach Chris Marve is his primary recruiter for the Hokies, it wouldn't surprise me if - should he pick Virginia Tech - the longer-term plan is to play with a hand in the dirt (or even on the other side of the ball as a tight end). After touching base with a number of sources on the Hokies' end of things (Stevens is one of the few guys who hasn't responded to me at all, even with something as simple as a text with a couple words about how the visit went), I was comfortable putting in my FutureCast for the Hokies when he makes the call tomorrow afternoon.

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Where does that leave VT's other linebacker targets? Hybrid safety/LB Caleb Woodson is set to make the call on Thursday, while VT picked up a pledge just this afternoon from Tavorian Copeland. At a position group that doesn't have a huge need, numbers may already be getting tight. That may well explain why Copeland committed today - he didn't want to risk having no space - and also why the versatility of a guy like Stevens would be important. All three guys could have a spot in the class. (Though I do wonder if Caleb Woodson takes a quick re-stock of the situation and makes sure VT is the place for him before making it public this weekend with a linebacker class that suddenly looks very different than it did when he set his date - but still ends up a Hokie).

No matter which dominos end up falling where, it's clear the Hokies will end up with their fair share of them - or more - by just over a week from now.

Getting the thread started early, since after a really limited group last weekend (by design - the staff wanted to be able to focus on the camps last weekend), it should be a massive one. Will have the full list later in the week.

2024 WR is a top target for the staff in the upcoming class:

Keylen Adams checks out Blacksburg

Hope he can stick in the League.

Aluma signs with Grizzlies as an undrafted free agent

He'd been scheduled for a VT official this weekend... obviously making a commitment before that visit can happen isn't the best thing for the Hokies' shot here:

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Says thanks but he wants to open up his recruitment again.

What does he think signing a contract means? We didn't pursue other players at that position as hard after he signed.

Now with transfers able to play immediately we have commitments thinking like they're transfers.

I wouldn't want to coach in today's college sports environment.

Hope the best for him

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He had potential, but the significant injury as a high school senior meant he was unlikely to reach it at the Power-5 level (and certainly not within his first couple years). Props to the previous staff for sticking with him through it.

Onetime VT commit who tried his hand at Tennessee:


Not that VT was necessarily the right choice, but Tennessee was so obviously the wrong one when he flipped. Hope it works out for him in the AAC.

2024 Waxhaw (N.C.) Cuthbertson receiver Keenan Jackson earlier this week:

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Interview on an SEC-focused podcast with the second-year head coach of South Carolina:


Obviously at this point, we're expecting the Pry era to go much better than the Fuente era did, meaning it's likely Shane never ends up coaching his alma mater, but still nice to keep tabs on him.

Gavin Grover is rising fast. It would not surprise me if the Hokies offered the 2024 TE after his trip:

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2023 DeShawn Harris-Smith is a 6’5” wing out of the basketball factory that is Paul VI High School outside of Washington, DC. Harris-Smith plays with Team Takeover on the Nike EYBL circuit during the spring/summer.

A 4-star recruit according to virtually all recruiting services, he has received scholarship offers from the likes of Villanova, LSU, Texas Tech, Georgetown, St. John’s, Xavier, and Rutgers, among others. Va Tech extended an offer today.

Check out everything there is to know about his game in this detailed evaluation: Player Evaluation.

Isaiah Shirley took an official visit to Blacksburg for the opening weekend of June, but there really just wasn't a strong vibe there (in part because he sensed he wasn't near the top of VT's board).

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In some of the least surprising news possible:

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The 2023 TE will probably make another commitment or two before finding his final choice. Unsure with this new VT staff how much they're willing to mess around with that (particularly for a kid who's not can't-miss and doesn't come from a crucial high school).

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Not much in the way of major visits, but that's because the coaches wanted the Friday camp and yesterday's 7-on-7 and bigman camp to be their focus.

Pete's a good dude. Wish him all the best: