Virginia Tech's whiff on in-state safety/athlete Brandyn Hillman was one of the downers toward the end of the 2023 recruiting cycle. The Hokies had been the first program to host him on a visit two years ago, were the only offer on the table in September, and seemed to be set up for success... but when other major programs came in, he gave the home-state school only token interest. Notre Dame was a foregone conclusion as soon as he visited South Bend, and he followed through by signing with the Irish.
Now, though, Hillman is no longer bound for Northwest Indiana. The product of Portsmouth (Va.) Churchland has asked for and received a release from his National Letter of Intent:
The reasons remain murky, but sources in the 757 and in South Bend indicate that the split was mostly mutual. When that's the case, you sometimes worry that it's more the school trying to cut a kid loose, but that doesn't sound like the case (and plenty of programs have hopped right back into the mix).
Virginia Tech immediately prioritized its second crack at Hillman, becoming one of the first schools to offer him when he made public his split from ND. Even though scholarship space in Blacksburg remains tight at this point, getting a top-notch talent like Hillman - and an in-state player - is important enough to make the 85-man limit a bit more of a "figure it out later" situation, particularly since the Hokies project to have plenty of attrition at the conclusion of spring practice. The staff feels like they'll have a real shot to land Hillman, but it's worth noting that several other programs feel like they're seriously in the mix as well, particularly a Michigan squad that had not offered the first time around but finds itself with a bit of room and a bit more need than expected at the position. LSU and Louisville are also expecting to see their offers get serious consideration.
That said, there are obvious advantages to Virginia Tech. Even though many of those advantages existed (and didn't pay off in a commitment) the first time around, the fact that he can be a singular focus for closing out the 2023 class is a different beast, and the coaching staff and 2023 signees alike are reaching out to make sure he knows that the program that wanted him before anyone else... still wants him more than anyone else.
Big picture, there's work to do here, but every intention in Blacksburg to do that work. I wouldn't classify the re-recruitment as an uphill battle necessarily, but it's far from a layup.
Now, though, Hillman is no longer bound for Northwest Indiana. The product of Portsmouth (Va.) Churchland has asked for and received a release from his National Letter of Intent:
The reasons remain murky, but sources in the 757 and in South Bend indicate that the split was mostly mutual. When that's the case, you sometimes worry that it's more the school trying to cut a kid loose, but that doesn't sound like the case (and plenty of programs have hopped right back into the mix).
Virginia Tech immediately prioritized its second crack at Hillman, becoming one of the first schools to offer him when he made public his split from ND. Even though scholarship space in Blacksburg remains tight at this point, getting a top-notch talent like Hillman - and an in-state player - is important enough to make the 85-man limit a bit more of a "figure it out later" situation, particularly since the Hokies project to have plenty of attrition at the conclusion of spring practice. The staff feels like they'll have a real shot to land Hillman, but it's worth noting that several other programs feel like they're seriously in the mix as well, particularly a Michigan squad that had not offered the first time around but finds itself with a bit of room and a bit more need than expected at the position. LSU and Louisville are also expecting to see their offers get serious consideration.
That said, there are obvious advantages to Virginia Tech. Even though many of those advantages existed (and didn't pay off in a commitment) the first time around, the fact that he can be a singular focus for closing out the 2023 class is a different beast, and the coaching staff and 2023 signees alike are reaching out to make sure he knows that the program that wanted him before anyone else... still wants him more than anyone else.
Big picture, there's work to do here, but every intention in Blacksburg to do that work. I wouldn't classify the re-recruitment as an uphill battle necessarily, but it's far from a layup.
