Welcome to another edition of Tunnel Talk, with the latest in Hokie recruiting.
Earl Miller
Virginia Tech hosted two-star defensive tackle Earl Miller on a "virtual visit" this week, and things went extremely well. The 6-3, 258-pounder is someone that the coaching staff is much higher on than the rankings experts, and has become a big priority.
He's hoping to make an early decision, and ironically, the NCAA's extension of the emergency Dead Period yesterday actually helps encourage him to make an early decision: if he can't take any trips this Summer, why bother waiting until later in the preseason to make a commitment? There's no longer any reason to hold out if he's trying to get it out of the way before his senior year begins.
As we've seen in other situations, a sight-unseen commitment can definitely be risky, and the staff accepting one (particularly Virginia Tech, whose coaches have a very good reputation of finding unheralded talent early) ramps up the attention from other programs that may not have otherwise taken notice of him. The Hokies are still happy to take Miller if he sticks to his tentative plan to end it within the next couple weeks.
In-state momentum
A recent theme of Tunnel Talk posts has been about a groundswell for VT in the state. That's obviously no surprise with four in-state commitments (and another from Baltimore) within the past month and a half. The feedback I continue to get in the Northern region of the state - where Jalen Stroman, Keli Lawson, and Shawn Asbury reside - is overwhelmingly positive. VT isn't going to suddenly dominate the greater DC region, but the age of being completely out of the mix seems to be gone.
In other parts of the state, like Richmond (where Jaylen Jones is from) and the 757, there's quite a bit more of a wait-and-see approach being taken. The Hokies have a bit of positive buzz there simply as a matter of players and coaches seeing that VT is looking back toward home a bit, but the results will require a bit more time.
Former VT running back's coach Zohn Burden is holding a big camp with his GAME Academy program in Virginia Beach this weekend, and seeing how the reputation of the Hokies has developed or shifted will be something to keep an eye on. I've mentioned Burden's potential roles as a supporting character in the greater in-state recruiting scene going forward, and how it impacts Virginia Tech - a school that recently fired him - will be something to keep an eye on.
I don't think there are going to be too many hard feelings from Burden himself, but how area coaches and prospects feel about the Hokies seen through the lens of having fired a popular 757 personality (though like I've said before: his popularity wasn't effective for the Hokies on the recruiting trail anyway, so it was probably time to let him go) will be one to watch.
Huggins-Bruce update
I've mentioned Dillon (S.C.) wide receiver Ahmari Huggins Bruce more recently than I would have expected.
It really does seem like his personal feelings are trending back toward Virginia Tech in advance of his commitment next weekend. That's without the staff putting any sort of full-court press on him (as I've said, they're willing to accept his commitment, but not prioritizing him right now), so if they pump it up for just a few days, they could seal the deal.
I remain of the opinion that Louisville makes the most sense, but I won't be issuing a forecast for his destination unless I get some sort of strong indication that it's a done deal one way or the other.
Earl Miller
Virginia Tech hosted two-star defensive tackle Earl Miller on a "virtual visit" this week, and things went extremely well. The 6-3, 258-pounder is someone that the coaching staff is much higher on than the rankings experts, and has become a big priority.
He's hoping to make an early decision, and ironically, the NCAA's extension of the emergency Dead Period yesterday actually helps encourage him to make an early decision: if he can't take any trips this Summer, why bother waiting until later in the preseason to make a commitment? There's no longer any reason to hold out if he's trying to get it out of the way before his senior year begins.
As we've seen in other situations, a sight-unseen commitment can definitely be risky, and the staff accepting one (particularly Virginia Tech, whose coaches have a very good reputation of finding unheralded talent early) ramps up the attention from other programs that may not have otherwise taken notice of him. The Hokies are still happy to take Miller if he sticks to his tentative plan to end it within the next couple weeks.
In-state momentum
A recent theme of Tunnel Talk posts has been about a groundswell for VT in the state. That's obviously no surprise with four in-state commitments (and another from Baltimore) within the past month and a half. The feedback I continue to get in the Northern region of the state - where Jalen Stroman, Keli Lawson, and Shawn Asbury reside - is overwhelmingly positive. VT isn't going to suddenly dominate the greater DC region, but the age of being completely out of the mix seems to be gone.
In other parts of the state, like Richmond (where Jaylen Jones is from) and the 757, there's quite a bit more of a wait-and-see approach being taken. The Hokies have a bit of positive buzz there simply as a matter of players and coaches seeing that VT is looking back toward home a bit, but the results will require a bit more time.
Former VT running back's coach Zohn Burden is holding a big camp with his GAME Academy program in Virginia Beach this weekend, and seeing how the reputation of the Hokies has developed or shifted will be something to keep an eye on. I've mentioned Burden's potential roles as a supporting character in the greater in-state recruiting scene going forward, and how it impacts Virginia Tech - a school that recently fired him - will be something to keep an eye on.
I don't think there are going to be too many hard feelings from Burden himself, but how area coaches and prospects feel about the Hokies seen through the lens of having fired a popular 757 personality (though like I've said before: his popularity wasn't effective for the Hokies on the recruiting trail anyway, so it was probably time to let him go) will be one to watch.
Huggins-Bruce update
I've mentioned Dillon (S.C.) wide receiver Ahmari Huggins Bruce more recently than I would have expected.
It really does seem like his personal feelings are trending back toward Virginia Tech in advance of his commitment next weekend. That's without the staff putting any sort of full-court press on him (as I've said, they're willing to accept his commitment, but not prioritizing him right now), so if they pump it up for just a few days, they could seal the deal.
I remain of the opinion that Louisville makes the most sense, but I won't be issuing a forecast for his destination unless I get some sort of strong indication that it's a done deal one way or the other.
