The latest from inside the world of Hokies recruiting.
The Hokies will find out their fate with Concord (Va.) Appomattox County 2023 CB/RB Jonathan Pennix today. Although the Hokies didn't make his top 10 list late in the Summer, they offered in the time since, he took an official visit for the Boston College game, and they're firmly in the mix when he makes the call at 8 p.m.
As I've said since the day he picked up the offer, the main factor as to whether he ultimately picks the Hokies is how wanted he feels. He is an in-state player with a teammate who's solidly committed to Virginia Tech, and visited a half-dozen times before he ever held an offer (showing his one-sided interest at the time). I have every reason to believe the Orange and Maroon have a legit desire to land him, and his statements indicate that they've made that clear to him.
A quick rise from off the list to landing him appears poised to reach its endpoint this evening. I would recommend staying locked to Hokie Haven around 8 p.m.
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The Hokies finally came in for an offer to Nolensville (Tenn.) receiver Chance Fitzgerald after he was brought to their attention this Summer. The three-star is high on the Hokies, and plans to make a visit soon.
Fitzgerald spoke on the phone with head coach Brent Pry last night, his first opportunity to get an extended conversation with the headman. That is a good representation of both his interest in the Hokies and the importance they're placing on a late-rising player in the 2023 cycle. It also gave him the opportunity to plan a visit for this weekend (another representation of his interest, given he's got like a dozen new offers and is choosing to visit Blacksburg). His combination of size and explosiveness is exactly what VT is lacking on the current roster, and while the likes of Marcell Baylor - and perhaps some of his DB/WR classmates who could ultimately end up on offense - more talent is always better.
There is a vibe emanating out of the Merryman center that his late run of scholarship offers could make it tough to end up being capital-T capital-O The One for Fitzgerald. The Hokies feel like he's a kid whose mentors are casting a wide, wide net late in the process (as his senior film and transcripts have led many to pull the trigger on offers), and while Virginia Tech appears to be one he has legitimate interest in, they're hardly alone in that, and winning over both player and family will be important.
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In an INSIDE piece just over a week ago, I mentioned that outgoing Transfer Portal moves will have an impact on the Virginia Tech roster in subsequent years (most of all next year, as the attrition from a coaching change hits after guys have a year to learn where/whether they fit into the staff's long-term plans). Quarterback is one spot where that appears to be the case. With Grant Wells sporting at least one more year of eligibility, and true freshman Devin Farrell rising to No. 3 on the depth chart, some may not see a path to playing time.
With Dylan Wittke in the 2023 class, the Hokies are off to a good start. But there may be a need for more depth. Nebraska commit William Watson is, like most guys committed to the Huskers, pretty shaky in his pledge.
Watson has also reached out to the Hokies, though it's unclear at this point how serious they'll get about him. Quarterbacks coach Brad Glenn and offensive coordinator Tyler Bowen both spent time in New England during the Evaluation Period last Spring, though I haven't confirmed that they were able to specifically drop by Springfield (Mass.) Central. At this stage, the interest is very early and generated from the prospect's end. But it wouldn't surprise me if it developed into more, and in a hurry.
Thanks for visiting! As always, feel free to use this thread to discuss the topics herein.
The Hokies will find out their fate with Concord (Va.) Appomattox County 2023 CB/RB Jonathan Pennix today. Although the Hokies didn't make his top 10 list late in the Summer, they offered in the time since, he took an official visit for the Boston College game, and they're firmly in the mix when he makes the call at 8 p.m.
As I've said since the day he picked up the offer, the main factor as to whether he ultimately picks the Hokies is how wanted he feels. He is an in-state player with a teammate who's solidly committed to Virginia Tech, and visited a half-dozen times before he ever held an offer (showing his one-sided interest at the time). I have every reason to believe the Orange and Maroon have a legit desire to land him, and his statements indicate that they've made that clear to him.
A quick rise from off the list to landing him appears poised to reach its endpoint this evening. I would recommend staying locked to Hokie Haven around 8 p.m.
---
The Hokies finally came in for an offer to Nolensville (Tenn.) receiver Chance Fitzgerald after he was brought to their attention this Summer. The three-star is high on the Hokies, and plans to make a visit soon.
Fitzgerald spoke on the phone with head coach Brent Pry last night, his first opportunity to get an extended conversation with the headman. That is a good representation of both his interest in the Hokies and the importance they're placing on a late-rising player in the 2023 cycle. It also gave him the opportunity to plan a visit for this weekend (another representation of his interest, given he's got like a dozen new offers and is choosing to visit Blacksburg). His combination of size and explosiveness is exactly what VT is lacking on the current roster, and while the likes of Marcell Baylor - and perhaps some of his DB/WR classmates who could ultimately end up on offense - more talent is always better.
There is a vibe emanating out of the Merryman center that his late run of scholarship offers could make it tough to end up being capital-T capital-O The One for Fitzgerald. The Hokies feel like he's a kid whose mentors are casting a wide, wide net late in the process (as his senior film and transcripts have led many to pull the trigger on offers), and while Virginia Tech appears to be one he has legitimate interest in, they're hardly alone in that, and winning over both player and family will be important.
---
In an INSIDE piece just over a week ago, I mentioned that outgoing Transfer Portal moves will have an impact on the Virginia Tech roster in subsequent years (most of all next year, as the attrition from a coaching change hits after guys have a year to learn where/whether they fit into the staff's long-term plans). Quarterback is one spot where that appears to be the case. With Grant Wells sporting at least one more year of eligibility, and true freshman Devin Farrell rising to No. 3 on the depth chart, some may not see a path to playing time.
With Dylan Wittke in the 2023 class, the Hokies are off to a good start. But there may be a need for more depth. Nebraska commit William Watson is, like most guys committed to the Huskers, pretty shaky in his pledge.
Watson has also reached out to the Hokies, though it's unclear at this point how serious they'll get about him. Quarterbacks coach Brad Glenn and offensive coordinator Tyler Bowen both spent time in New England during the Evaluation Period last Spring, though I haven't confirmed that they were able to specifically drop by Springfield (Mass.) Central. At this stage, the interest is very early and generated from the prospect's end. But it wouldn't surprise me if it developed into more, and in a hurry.
Thanks for visiting! As always, feel free to use this thread to discuss the topics herein.
