Playing a college football game on a Friday night is incredibly stupid for myriad reasons, not least of which is what it means for recruiting. Not only does it really anger high school coaches (ask - almost literally - any single one of them, and you're apt to hear a long rant), but it also means that the vast majority of recruits are otherwise occupied, and unavailable for taking game visits to campus. In a season where there is a maximum of seven of them, that's incredibly stupid!
This Friday, at least, the Hokies will be able to host some recruits who have fortuitously-timed bye weeks in their seasons, though.
They will be led by a contingent from Katy (Texas) High School. The alma mater of VT graduate assistant Beau Davidson, Katy has been recipient of plenty of attention from the coaching staff. That included a visit from the current top prospect in the program, Class of 2021 four-star defensive back Hunter Washington, for the Blacksburg BBQ Bash back in July. Still awaiting word on whether Washington himself (who has added an offer from Florida this week) will make it to town this weekend, but building bonds with the coaching staff and current recruits can only pay off in the future of the Hokies' efforts to land top future players from the Houston-area powerhouse.
Offered 2021 safety Dalton Johnson, 2021 QB Bronson McClelland, and 2020 RB Ronald Hoff are among the players who have confirmed they'll be making the trip. Look for more players - again, hopefully including Washington - to join.
Other visitors will include in-state 2022 offensive lineman Brody Meadows, whose Blufield (Va.) Graham team is also on a bye week. He's one of the most talented players in the Commonwealth for his class, and happens to be close friends with 2021 defensive back Tony Grimes (whose up-and-down relationship with the Hokies has been well documented).
While Friday night football is an affront to the recruiting process, to tradition of the game in our country, and several other sensibilities - all in the name of the ACC making a buck from the four-letter television network - it may not end up being too big a shame on the recruiting trail, at least this time around.
This Friday, at least, the Hokies will be able to host some recruits who have fortuitously-timed bye weeks in their seasons, though.
They will be led by a contingent from Katy (Texas) High School. The alma mater of VT graduate assistant Beau Davidson, Katy has been recipient of plenty of attention from the coaching staff. That included a visit from the current top prospect in the program, Class of 2021 four-star defensive back Hunter Washington, for the Blacksburg BBQ Bash back in July. Still awaiting word on whether Washington himself (who has added an offer from Florida this week) will make it to town this weekend, but building bonds with the coaching staff and current recruits can only pay off in the future of the Hokies' efforts to land top future players from the Houston-area powerhouse.
Offered 2021 safety Dalton Johnson, 2021 QB Bronson McClelland, and 2020 RB Ronald Hoff are among the players who have confirmed they'll be making the trip. Look for more players - again, hopefully including Washington - to join.
Other visitors will include in-state 2022 offensive lineman Brody Meadows, whose Blufield (Va.) Graham team is also on a bye week. He's one of the most talented players in the Commonwealth for his class, and happens to be close friends with 2021 defensive back Tony Grimes (whose up-and-down relationship with the Hokies has been well documented).
While Friday night football is an affront to the recruiting process, to tradition of the game in our country, and several other sensibilities - all in the name of the ACC making a buck from the four-letter television network - it may not end up being too big a shame on the recruiting trail, at least this time around.
