I'll start by getting one out of the way: while Memphis (Tenn.) Christian Brothers offensive lineman Patrick Kutas was initially scheduled to visit Blacksburg this weekend, he instead made the trip to Arkansas. When a kid cancels an official visit, it's obviously for just a couple different reasons: either the prospect or the school backed off the visit, and for reasons that are either permanent or will result in a reschedule.
The VT side of things has been a bit cagey about why this particular visit didn't happen. Usually, that means it's the school saying "no thanks (at least for now)" on the visit. (Ironically, when the schools cancels, you get a bit of a shadowy answer, and when the prospect cancels, you get the "it's because we don't want him" line - backwards of what the reality typically is). With a couple other key OL on campus this weekend, the endgame of the recruitments for the Alpharetta (Ga.) Milton duo and other players at the position is probably the hold-up here. If we see Kutas re-schedule his visit - I do not expect it at this point, but there was a period where the staff really wanted him, so it's always possible - it indicates that the timing was probably the bigger isue.
The most positive buzz I've heard coming out of the weekend concerned Leesburg (Va.) Tuscarora running back Bryce Duke. The in-state prospect camped last weekend to earn his offer, and then turned right back around and made his official visit. That often bodes well even before the players sets foot - back - on campus.
Rutgers had been considered a fairly healthy favorite by virtue of being the highest-profile program on his list. Adding not only a much bigger program but also an in-state one that he grew up cheering for made a major impact on Duke. The Hokies feel like they're in extremely strong position with him. It remains to be seen exactly what he wants to do timing-wise - will the Scarlet Knights get a chance to host him an an opportunity to re-take the lead? If so, this may not be a done deal. More likely, a few days to think things over is the expectation, and it may not last too much longer than that.
The VT side of things has been a bit cagey about why this particular visit didn't happen. Usually, that means it's the school saying "no thanks (at least for now)" on the visit. (Ironically, when the schools cancels, you get a bit of a shadowy answer, and when the prospect cancels, you get the "it's because we don't want him" line - backwards of what the reality typically is). With a couple other key OL on campus this weekend, the endgame of the recruitments for the Alpharetta (Ga.) Milton duo and other players at the position is probably the hold-up here. If we see Kutas re-schedule his visit - I do not expect it at this point, but there was a period where the staff really wanted him, so it's always possible - it indicates that the timing was probably the bigger isue.
The most positive buzz I've heard coming out of the weekend concerned Leesburg (Va.) Tuscarora running back Bryce Duke. The in-state prospect camped last weekend to earn his offer, and then turned right back around and made his official visit. That often bodes well even before the players sets foot - back - on campus.
Rutgers had been considered a fairly healthy favorite by virtue of being the highest-profile program on his list. Adding not only a much bigger program but also an in-state one that he grew up cheering for made a major impact on Duke. The Hokies feel like they're in extremely strong position with him. It remains to be seen exactly what he wants to do timing-wise - will the Scarlet Knights get a chance to host him an an opportunity to re-take the lead? If so, this may not be a done deal. More likely, a few days to think things over is the expectation, and it may not last too much longer than that.
