Caleb Farris Decision

Randy King has more on Farris' decision. It is a greyshirt, meaning he'll either count toward 2010 or 2011, something that has really helped Beamer & Co out with recruiting numbers in the last couple years. Here is a portion of his article:

"It was crazy up there [Saturday]," said Farris, referring to an atmosphere that was spiked by a record 41,000 fans at the Tech spring game. "I'm still on a Virginia Tech high right now. I'm glad to get this over with, so now I can focus and lifting and getting bigger, and maturing mentally and physically. I want to give Virginia Tech its money's worth when I get there."

Visitors for the Spring Game

Techsideline.com has a list of recruits attending the spring game. My favorites out of the bunch:

Justin Hunter (WR), Zach McCray (DE), Nick Dew (S), Richardo Young (QB), and Connor Davis (OL). We have an excellent shot with the middle three, a little work to do with Hunter (favoring LSU) and Davis (most likely UVA bound).

BREAKING NEWS

Techsideline.com is reporting that OG recruit Caleb Farris out of Rockbridge has committed to the Hokies. A good get, and a guy that was a VT lean the whole way.

Mark Leal

Leal, maybe our top QB recruit this year (and the number one on my board), is still looking around according to Jason Lieser at the Palm Beach Post. According to Lieser, Leal is looking to come to VT for our annual summer camp, and as many loyal Hokie football fans know we generally have a flurry of commitments during and directly after that time.

Here's hoping we land him, 'cause he's a good one.

More on the Shuman Commit

Randy King has been busy this morning, with another interview with John Shuman, Mark's dad (and FUMA coach). The highlight of the interview: John expects Mark NOT to redshirt. Surprising, but considering the fact that Wang is graduating this year, it may not be totally out of the question. Here is an exerpt:

"Starting Monday, we're going to be in the weight room, working on Mark's footwork because, you know, we're not redshirting," said his father, who occasionally speaks with tongue in cheek. "We're not going to hang around five years. He's going to start or compete for a starting job right away."

Of course, the coaches might have a say in the redshirting decision.

"We're going to get him well-schooled on what [the Hokies] need," said John Shuman, a one-time VMI standout.

BREAKING NEWS

Mark Shuman has apparently committed to VT, and will announce officially at the Spring Game this weekend. The Roanoke Times has more, and be on the lookout for more.

A.J. Cann

Cann, VT's top C prospect this year, has been busy visiting schools this fall. It has been verified that he's coming to the spring game and has some favorites in mind. I know the coaches have been on him like white on rice, so hopefully we impress. I will continue to fish around for information on his visit after the spring game.

Alfy Hill

Hill is definitely one of the guys that I hope we land this year, because DE is looking a little thin and we could always use a guy that is big and can run. I know that he's favoring the in-state schools right now, but I do like VT's chances if he goes out of state.

Recruiting Update

An update on Takoby Cofield, Gabriel Henderson, Zach McCray, Braushaud Breeland, and others from The State.

Louis Young

Young is coming to Blacksburg for the Spring Game with Richardo Young. Apparently he's wide open, and I'm hoping that it's a two-for-one deal with him and Young.

Mark Leal

Some good highlights from maybe my favorite QB prospect of the bunch, Mark Leal. I like his delivery and footwork - not to mention arm strength.

Blake Lueders

Lueders has a new *free* video on Rivals.com, and here it is. VT is on the outside looking in, but he's got some OOS schools in his top 6 right now so we may have a chance if we push academics and family atmosphere.

I've said this before, he's on my short list of DE's this year- mainly because I think he's ready to play now.

Russell Bodine

Bodine, a top OL recruit out of FUMA, has VT in his top four after recent unofficial visits around the East Coast. The coaches have him pegged as a center. As far as I know, he's planning on visiting for the Spring Game. From what I know, Bodine really passes the eye-ball test at a legit 6'4", 275 lbs.

BREAKING NEWS

Phillip Sims, most everyone's top QB recruit from VA, made a verbal commitment to Alabama yesterday. The Virginian-Pilot has confirmed.

While I am a UA alumnus, this hurts- not because Sims made a pretty good decision (Alabama's QB situation in two years looks bleak right now), but because Sims basically ruled out VT from the get go. VT has to make a better effort at Oscar Smith, and get back on good terms with the coach there.

Brashaud Breeland

Here is an update on Breeland from GoGamecocks.com. He is said to favor the in-state schools (USC and Clemson), but has VT on his short list right now.

Gabriel Henderson

I've heard that Henderson, one of the top QB recruits on VT's board this year, is garnering more attention as of late from some major schools. My prognosis- VT is still the leader for his services, for a couple reasons.

First, we were the first major school on him, and we are on him like white on rice. Second, it's my understanding that he really enjoyed campus and plans on visiting again in the near future. All signs point to an early signing, but that's just prognositication at this point.

Nick Acree

Nick Acree, VT's lone verbal for 2010, is planning on transfering to FUMA for the upcoming season. He played DE last year for his HS, but will move to DT (his more natural position and the one he will play at VT).

My impression: Nothing but love for Acree, who I think will be our first 1st round NFL pick at DT (unless you're counting Bruce, but he's a DE in my mind even though he played DT at Tech). He is the kind of guy who is already physically dominating and can come in and play right away at DT for Tech's system, which asks DTs just to be a disruptive force and really nothing else. FUMA, and Shuman more importantly, will provide Big Nick with the base knowledge and footwork.

Michigan 2010 Recruits

VT is recruiting an unusual number of guys from out of state this year, including from the state of Michigan. The Detroit Free Press has a pretty good article about recruiting which includes a couple guys that have a VT offer:


C.J. Olaniyan- Scouts are really impressed with his physicality and body type. He looks like the type that could play at 270 and still be really effective at the DE position (John Graves anyone?)


Robert Bolden- High on VT's board for QB prospects, but not on mine personally. Why? Mostly because I think we don't really have much of a shot here. Seems like a Big Ten guy all the way, most likely MSU. He's a fantastic QB and I'd take him over a lot of the guys we have on the QB board, but at the end of the day the coaches (who know this) will probably not put the pressure on him until he visits campus.

Barry Brunetti

Brunetti, a 5'11" QB out of the Memphis area, is being recruited by the Hokies. Here is his a *free* video interview from Rivals.

Recap: No favorites, lists VT as on the verge of offering. Wants to make a decision before the season starts.

Josh Furman

I've heard that Furman (6'2" 197 lb ROV prospect) is really looking hard at the Hokies, and we may be the leader at this time. He loves the coaching staff and the campus.

He recently received some pretty big-name offers so I hope this one is over quick. I've said this before, but him, Nick Dew and David Amerson are all guys that fit our defensive mold really, really well.