Welcome to Tunnel Talk, as always running through the latest inside information in the world of Hokies and recruiting.
NJ2VT?
With the Hokies' landing Tahj Bullock yesterday - unsurprising though his destination may have been after a semi-whirlwind recruitment from the Hokies' end of things - the staff has a bit of a rejuvenated feeling for how effectively they'll be able to recruit New Jersey. That's for good reason: there is a long history (both athletically and in terms of simple student/alumni base) between the Garden State and Blacksburg. The Hokies have traditionally done well when they've put the effort into recruiting the region.
As I've said, that doesn't mean they're intending to completely abandon the state of Texas when it comes to recruiting, but putting it into a more proper context in terms of fit, frequency, etc. is looking more and more likely.
Anyway, we're talkin' Jersey here. Bullock has that "popular kid from a great program in a talented area" combination that can be important in helping become a bit of a pied piper. During his time as a Hokie commit, Dematrius Davis ticked the same boxes and used them to his advantage. That Bullock looks far more likely to stick long-term, and that Virginia Tech has more selling points to New Jersey kids than mostly just that cult of personality that they were relying on in Texas should be fruitful.
A kid like Audric Estime has been on VT's board for a while, and has been on-again, off-again a hot target. Even though VT has a running back commit in Chance Black, the versatility of Black's skillset and Estime's overall talent level should keep him a factor. His existing relationship (from high school rivals to off-field acquaintances) with Bullock may help VT remain an even bigger factor in his eyes. When the emergency Dead Period ends, Estime's return to campus could be an interesting indicator of how serious this one is going to be.
The Hokies have also been measured-but-consistent in issuing offers in New Jersey, including for underclassman DT Sydir Mitchell yesterday. Look for that trend to continue.
Donovan McMillon
Virginia Tech has long been one of VT's top defensive back targets, from the time he visited for a game last Fall when he only had Group of Five and FCS offers, to his return over the Winter after he'd blown up. The Hokies have valued him more highly than the recruiting sites (including this one), and that might remain the case even when he inevitably moves up.
McMillon will make his third trip to Blacksburg this weekend, starting tomorrow, and while it will have to be the sort of no-contact, not-even-technically-a-visit-in-the-NCAA's-eyes sort of affair the that coronavirus pandemic necessitates, that's still meaningful. This isn't a kid who needs to get his first glimpse of campus (which was the reason Bullock made this type of trip). I hesitate to ascribe a sense of finality to it, but it certainly seems like one last chance to really set his feelings in stone before he moves toward a decision.
Of course, this trip is also happening because it's essentially on the way home from Florida, where he recently executed his no-contact visit "with" the Gators to check out Gainesville. He's not exactly heading out from the Steel City to make a special trip to VT. Still, there's a positive effect from making the effort nonetheless.
The other members of his final five (Oklahoma, Oregon, and Texas A&M) are chasing the Gators and Hokies for now, and this one looks like it'll wrap up this Summer, as planned on schedule.
Cards v. Hokies
Although they haven't played yet since Louisville entered the ACC (and in fact, only once since the Hokies joined the league), there is a little rivalry brewing off the field with one of Virginia Tech's conference brethren: a pair of head-to-head recruiting battles.
Of course, I've made it no secret that I expect TJ Quinn to pick Louisville today. The three-star out of South Georgia is a legacy (dad, Terry, was a running back in Derby City), and every vibe points in the direction of following in those footsteps. He has an older sister who attends Kentucky, even, a bit of convenience for the parents to make visits if they so desire.
One that's a little murkier is the case of three-star slot receiver Ahmari Huggins-Bruce.
He's also basically down to the two programs, and while he's planned a July 1 commitment date, there has been some flimsiness in how firmly he wants to stick to that timeline. It could be because the Dillon (S.C.) High standout isn't quite set on a choice between his favorites, and thus doesn't want to arbitrarily set a date he must choose between them.
The tea leave have generally pointed in Louisville's favor: he established a commitment timeline as the Cards were picking up momentum in his recruitment, the Hokies have picked up players at his potential positions since initially being established as the favorite, etc.
Neither staff has been informed of his decision yet, though (another indicator that he might have set a commitment date without having a final choice in mind), and the Hokies - who are willing to accept his commitment, but may trend toward the agnostic side on how badly they want it - are neutral on where they think he ends up, while Louisville's staff is cautiously optimistic, but a little nervous.
My guess is still Louisville, but that's not a final answer yet.
Shawn Asbury
The Hokies hopped into the DC suburbs yesterday to offer 2021 DB/Ath Shawn Asbury. While he's just a two-star prospect, the staff really likes him. Perhaps just as importantly, he's a guy who helps re-build bonds in the area should they land him.
I do think they will land him, though I haven't heard that directly from Asbury's mouth yet (I was driving most of yesterday and haven't had the chance to connect with him).
The Hokies have planned to sign four safeties in this class - and have consistently told their targets that - with McMillon the top remaining priority. Earlier in the cycle, Quinn was the priority for that fourth and final spot. However, their interest in him faded just a touch (probably concurrent with his decision to lean more toward Louisville, in fairness), and the plan is now for that fourth guy to be more of a positionally-versatile one.
Asbury ticks those boxes, for sure. He could even play corner, even though he doesn't have that long, lean frame the staff prefers for the position, and while he's a bit of a developmental prospect right now, they like his physical potential. I'll have more on him in the coming days, but I will say I like the chances, and that I like this offer.
As always, thanks for reading. If you have friends who might be interested in the content and community at Hokie Haven, let them know about our current monthly offer.
NJ2VT?
With the Hokies' landing Tahj Bullock yesterday - unsurprising though his destination may have been after a semi-whirlwind recruitment from the Hokies' end of things - the staff has a bit of a rejuvenated feeling for how effectively they'll be able to recruit New Jersey. That's for good reason: there is a long history (both athletically and in terms of simple student/alumni base) between the Garden State and Blacksburg. The Hokies have traditionally done well when they've put the effort into recruiting the region.
As I've said, that doesn't mean they're intending to completely abandon the state of Texas when it comes to recruiting, but putting it into a more proper context in terms of fit, frequency, etc. is looking more and more likely.
Anyway, we're talkin' Jersey here. Bullock has that "popular kid from a great program in a talented area" combination that can be important in helping become a bit of a pied piper. During his time as a Hokie commit, Dematrius Davis ticked the same boxes and used them to his advantage. That Bullock looks far more likely to stick long-term, and that Virginia Tech has more selling points to New Jersey kids than mostly just that cult of personality that they were relying on in Texas should be fruitful.
A kid like Audric Estime has been on VT's board for a while, and has been on-again, off-again a hot target. Even though VT has a running back commit in Chance Black, the versatility of Black's skillset and Estime's overall talent level should keep him a factor. His existing relationship (from high school rivals to off-field acquaintances) with Bullock may help VT remain an even bigger factor in his eyes. When the emergency Dead Period ends, Estime's return to campus could be an interesting indicator of how serious this one is going to be.
The Hokies have also been measured-but-consistent in issuing offers in New Jersey, including for underclassman DT Sydir Mitchell yesterday. Look for that trend to continue.
Donovan McMillon
Virginia Tech has long been one of VT's top defensive back targets, from the time he visited for a game last Fall when he only had Group of Five and FCS offers, to his return over the Winter after he'd blown up. The Hokies have valued him more highly than the recruiting sites (including this one), and that might remain the case even when he inevitably moves up.
McMillon will make his third trip to Blacksburg this weekend, starting tomorrow, and while it will have to be the sort of no-contact, not-even-technically-a-visit-in-the-NCAA's-eyes sort of affair the that coronavirus pandemic necessitates, that's still meaningful. This isn't a kid who needs to get his first glimpse of campus (which was the reason Bullock made this type of trip). I hesitate to ascribe a sense of finality to it, but it certainly seems like one last chance to really set his feelings in stone before he moves toward a decision.
Of course, this trip is also happening because it's essentially on the way home from Florida, where he recently executed his no-contact visit "with" the Gators to check out Gainesville. He's not exactly heading out from the Steel City to make a special trip to VT. Still, there's a positive effect from making the effort nonetheless.
The other members of his final five (Oklahoma, Oregon, and Texas A&M) are chasing the Gators and Hokies for now, and this one looks like it'll wrap up this Summer, as planned on schedule.
Cards v. Hokies
Although they haven't played yet since Louisville entered the ACC (and in fact, only once since the Hokies joined the league), there is a little rivalry brewing off the field with one of Virginia Tech's conference brethren: a pair of head-to-head recruiting battles.
Of course, I've made it no secret that I expect TJ Quinn to pick Louisville today. The three-star out of South Georgia is a legacy (dad, Terry, was a running back in Derby City), and every vibe points in the direction of following in those footsteps. He has an older sister who attends Kentucky, even, a bit of convenience for the parents to make visits if they so desire.
One that's a little murkier is the case of three-star slot receiver Ahmari Huggins-Bruce.
He's also basically down to the two programs, and while he's planned a July 1 commitment date, there has been some flimsiness in how firmly he wants to stick to that timeline. It could be because the Dillon (S.C.) High standout isn't quite set on a choice between his favorites, and thus doesn't want to arbitrarily set a date he must choose between them.
The tea leave have generally pointed in Louisville's favor: he established a commitment timeline as the Cards were picking up momentum in his recruitment, the Hokies have picked up players at his potential positions since initially being established as the favorite, etc.
Neither staff has been informed of his decision yet, though (another indicator that he might have set a commitment date without having a final choice in mind), and the Hokies - who are willing to accept his commitment, but may trend toward the agnostic side on how badly they want it - are neutral on where they think he ends up, while Louisville's staff is cautiously optimistic, but a little nervous.
My guess is still Louisville, but that's not a final answer yet.
Shawn Asbury
The Hokies hopped into the DC suburbs yesterday to offer 2021 DB/Ath Shawn Asbury. While he's just a two-star prospect, the staff really likes him. Perhaps just as importantly, he's a guy who helps re-build bonds in the area should they land him.
I do think they will land him, though I haven't heard that directly from Asbury's mouth yet (I was driving most of yesterday and haven't had the chance to connect with him).
The Hokies have planned to sign four safeties in this class - and have consistently told their targets that - with McMillon the top remaining priority. Earlier in the cycle, Quinn was the priority for that fourth and final spot. However, their interest in him faded just a touch (probably concurrent with his decision to lean more toward Louisville, in fairness), and the plan is now for that fourth guy to be more of a positionally-versatile one.
Asbury ticks those boxes, for sure. He could even play corner, even though he doesn't have that long, lean frame the staff prefers for the position, and while he's a bit of a developmental prospect right now, they like his physical potential. I'll have more on him in the coming days, but I will say I like the chances, and that I like this offer.
As always, thanks for reading. If you have friends who might be interested in the content and community at Hokie Haven, let them know about our current monthly offer.
