The Hokie's two official January junior days are separated from today by a week in either direction - we've obviously talked a lot about last week's in-state heavy group already, and next week's should be a bigger one (both geographically and in terms of numbers). But just because there isn't a junior doesn't mean that there won't be prospects in Blacksburg this weekend.
Groups with former Hokie Roc Carmichael as well as UNC cornerback Tony Grimes's dad (Deon Glover) will be in town today. The two trainers are close with one another - and also top talent around the region, including important areas in the DMV and 757. They've been much more active in regards to VT recruiting specifically in the past month-plus. I wasn't sure at first if I was just noticing it more or if there was an actual increase in attention, so I asked folks who follow the region more generally.
"I think a bit of both," said one longtime observer of the recruiting process in the state. "Obviously Coach Glove still has plenty of love for UNC with his son playing there. But I think he's been negative about (or worse: ignoring) Virginia Tech for the past couple years, and this staff is doing the right things to change that, and he's much more positive now."
Those guys will be bringing some prospects to town today, and there will be plenty from places that VT has had trouble getting consistent results with - namely Baltimore's St. Frances Academy:
Coates visited last weekend too, with a Carmichael-led group.
I'm not positive who from Glove's group will be in attendance, but you can bet it'll include a number of top prospects - particularly underclassmen - from the 757 and into the Richmond area.
It's immediately obvious how important relationship-management can be on the recruiting trail (and how quickly relationships can be built if you want to put in even minimal effort). Pry and his staff members understand that, and plan to do the right things to be a factor on home turf once again - it's clear they're not just giving lip service.
Groups with former Hokie Roc Carmichael as well as UNC cornerback Tony Grimes's dad (Deon Glover) will be in town today. The two trainers are close with one another - and also top talent around the region, including important areas in the DMV and 757. They've been much more active in regards to VT recruiting specifically in the past month-plus. I wasn't sure at first if I was just noticing it more or if there was an actual increase in attention, so I asked folks who follow the region more generally.
"I think a bit of both," said one longtime observer of the recruiting process in the state. "Obviously Coach Glove still has plenty of love for UNC with his son playing there. But I think he's been negative about (or worse: ignoring) Virginia Tech for the past couple years, and this staff is doing the right things to change that, and he's much more positive now."
Those guys will be bringing some prospects to town today, and there will be plenty from places that VT has had trouble getting consistent results with - namely Baltimore's St. Frances Academy:
Coates visited last weekend too, with a Carmichael-led group.
I'm not positive who from Glove's group will be in attendance, but you can bet it'll include a number of top prospects - particularly underclassmen - from the 757 and into the Richmond area.
It's immediately obvious how important relationship-management can be on the recruiting trail (and how quickly relationships can be built if you want to put in even minimal effort). Pry and his staff members understand that, and plan to do the right things to be a factor on home turf once again - it's clear they're not just giving lip service.
