Several key prospects have visited Blacksburg over the past couple weeks, and while we haven't yet had time for extensive interviews with all of them (stay tuned for several more of those interviews, though), we've reached out to prospects or their camps to see what the story is. Here are some updates that we'll flesh out in the coming days.
Edina (Minn.) 2019 offensive lineman Quinn Carroll is a VT legacy - brother Colin was a long-snapper in Blacksburg a few yeas back - and his first visit to campus as a recruit went well. However, it does seem at this time like he's leaning toward going to a bigger national program, likely one in Big Ten or SEC country. He has plenty of offers in both regions, and while the sentimental pull for Virginia Tech will help over time, it may not be enough.
Raleigh (N.C.) Sanderson 2018 running back Trent Pennix has been a somewhat consistent presence on campus lately, including last weekend. The Hokies are in really good shape here, and the 6-2, 205-pound three-star could be the "big back" they ultimately land with a complementary all-purpose player in the class as well.
"We toured the campus, we watched practice, had a academics meeting, then position meetings plus a private meeting with Coach Fuente," Pennix shared of his visit. "By far my best part was having a meeting with Coach Fuente."
The positive feelings are mutual, and the Hokies like where they stand. However, with several other RBs also on the board, it remains to be seen whether the coaching staff will encourage him to wait out a commitment as they evaluate their shot with other prospects.
Big Stone Gap (Va.) Union 2018 tight end James Mitchell has been and remains a priority for the Hokies, made all the more important with a diminished depth chart at his position thanks to some spring position switches. Mitchell enjoyed his trip over the weekend, but didn't have much to expound on:
"The visit went very well," he said.
This has been a VT-Clemson battle for a while now, and although Hokie fans are encouraged that the Tigers offered and received a commitment from Braden Galloway over the weekend, don't expect that to deter Mitchell from considering Clemson - or the Tigers from pursuing him. Still, that the Hokies can point out he has always been and remains the top priority at tight end (even though they, like Clemson, will probably take two in this class), is a boost for now.
Hyattsville (Md.) DeMatha three-star 2018 defensive end John Morgan was vaguely considering a trip to campus over the weekend, but didn't make it. Those vague plans do now have a firmer feel, even though he didn't come in: Morgan has rescheduled for this weekend.
Lorton (Va.) South County three-star 2018 wide receiver Dillon Spalding is one player who has been to town several times. This weekend was more of the same, though like Mitchell, he didn't have a ton to say about it.
"They renovated it," he said of VT's faacility. "It was very nice: I saw the campus and saw them practice."
An in-state guy, Spalding would likely jump at the opportunity if the Hokies turned up the heat on him. There's a delicate balance to walk here though, with other receivers - namely Tre Turner, who seems to be inching toward his college decision - ahead of him on the board, and likely just as high on the Hokies. If VT misses on a target or two, we'll see how the attention evolves over time.
Memphis (Tenn.) Whitehaven three-star 2018 defensive back Rayshad Williams made his way on a visit sooner than was initially expected - often an indication of strong interest. From VT's end, the trip went well, though Williams hasn't shared any details with us yet. The offensive coaching staff is obviously familiar with the Memphis area (and Whitehaven is one of the power programs in not just the area but the entire state of Tennessee), and this could be an interesting one to watch, even though we're not predicting that area to turn into much of a Hokie pipeline.
Edina (Minn.) 2019 offensive lineman Quinn Carroll is a VT legacy - brother Colin was a long-snapper in Blacksburg a few yeas back - and his first visit to campus as a recruit went well. However, it does seem at this time like he's leaning toward going to a bigger national program, likely one in Big Ten or SEC country. He has plenty of offers in both regions, and while the sentimental pull for Virginia Tech will help over time, it may not be enough.
Raleigh (N.C.) Sanderson 2018 running back Trent Pennix has been a somewhat consistent presence on campus lately, including last weekend. The Hokies are in really good shape here, and the 6-2, 205-pound three-star could be the "big back" they ultimately land with a complementary all-purpose player in the class as well.
"We toured the campus, we watched practice, had a academics meeting, then position meetings plus a private meeting with Coach Fuente," Pennix shared of his visit. "By far my best part was having a meeting with Coach Fuente."
The positive feelings are mutual, and the Hokies like where they stand. However, with several other RBs also on the board, it remains to be seen whether the coaching staff will encourage him to wait out a commitment as they evaluate their shot with other prospects.
Big Stone Gap (Va.) Union 2018 tight end James Mitchell has been and remains a priority for the Hokies, made all the more important with a diminished depth chart at his position thanks to some spring position switches. Mitchell enjoyed his trip over the weekend, but didn't have much to expound on:
"The visit went very well," he said.
This has been a VT-Clemson battle for a while now, and although Hokie fans are encouraged that the Tigers offered and received a commitment from Braden Galloway over the weekend, don't expect that to deter Mitchell from considering Clemson - or the Tigers from pursuing him. Still, that the Hokies can point out he has always been and remains the top priority at tight end (even though they, like Clemson, will probably take two in this class), is a boost for now.
Hyattsville (Md.) DeMatha three-star 2018 defensive end John Morgan was vaguely considering a trip to campus over the weekend, but didn't make it. Those vague plans do now have a firmer feel, even though he didn't come in: Morgan has rescheduled for this weekend.
Lorton (Va.) South County three-star 2018 wide receiver Dillon Spalding is one player who has been to town several times. This weekend was more of the same, though like Mitchell, he didn't have a ton to say about it.
"They renovated it," he said of VT's faacility. "It was very nice: I saw the campus and saw them practice."
An in-state guy, Spalding would likely jump at the opportunity if the Hokies turned up the heat on him. There's a delicate balance to walk here though, with other receivers - namely Tre Turner, who seems to be inching toward his college decision - ahead of him on the board, and likely just as high on the Hokies. If VT misses on a target or two, we'll see how the attention evolves over time.
Memphis (Tenn.) Whitehaven three-star 2018 defensive back Rayshad Williams made his way on a visit sooner than was initially expected - often an indication of strong interest. From VT's end, the trip went well, though Williams hasn't shared any details with us yet. The offensive coaching staff is obviously familiar with the Memphis area (and Whitehaven is one of the power programs in not just the area but the entire state of Tennessee), and this could be an interesting one to watch, even though we're not predicting that area to turn into much of a Hokie pipeline.
