Running Back Commitments

Player

Star Rank

Ht, Wt, 40

School (Hometown)

Recruiting coach

None

Running Back Targets

Player

Star Rank

VT�s Stock

Official Visits/Favorites

Recruiting coach

LaSean McCoy, 5-11, 205, 4.25
Bishop McDevitt (Harrisburg, PA)

High/Very High

Kevin Rogers

Comments: Virginia Tech went into Pennsylvania in 2001 and landed Kevin Jones, who was rated the top running back in the country. History could repeat itself, as Tech seems to be in good position to at least land an official visit from McCoy, who may be the top running back in the 2006 class. Tech jumped into the picture after McCoy paid a visit to Blacksburg in August.

Knowshon Moreno, 5-11, 200, 4.5
Middletown South (Middletown, N.J.)

Fair

OU � 09/02, GA � 09/09

Kevin Rogers

Comments: Tech has offered and is in the mix, but it�s tough to tell which programs the New Jersey star may be favoring. He enjoyed both official visits and seems to want to take all five trips.

Brandon Minor, 6-0, 220, 4.6
Varina (VA)

High/Very High

TN � 10/08, MICH � 12/02, MIA � 12/16, VT � 01/14, FL

Jim Cavanaugh

Comments: Early on, it looked like Minor would definitely leave the state. Virginia Tech came back in the picture in August and recently earned an official visit. If Minor stays close to home, Tech will be the choice, but it will be interesting to see how his visits to Miami and Michigan go � Minor expressed high interest in both of those programs early on.

Evan Royster, 6-0, 200, 4.5
Westfield (Chantilly, VA)

Low

OU � 09/02

Lorenzo Ward

Comments: Royster really wants to leave the state and, right now, it looks like that will happen.

Devven Sutton, 5-10, 220
Northeastern (Elizabeth City, N.C.)

Very High

Comments: Hoping to get some more info on Sutton soon.

Wide Receiver Commitments

Player

Star Rank

Ht, Wt, 40

School (Hometown)

Recruiting coach

Todd Nolen

6-3, 175, 4.5

Fork Union Military Academy(Hampton, VA)

Jim Cavanaugh

Notes: Nolen is a 2005 signee that was forced to go to prep school after failing to qualify. One of the top overall recruits in the state in the 2005 class, Nolen is an outstanding receiver and could be even more prepared to play immediately after a year at Fork Union. Nolen has size, speed and outstanding hands. Adding his talent to an already great receiving corps makes the Hokies even more dangerous at the receiver position.

Jacob Sykes

6-0, 180, 4.56

Goldsboro(Goldsboro, N.C.)

Charley Wiles

Notes: Sykes has already stated that he will likely be a grey-shirt candidate, meaning he will sign in 2006 but will likely not enroll until January of 2007. If he does this, he could count towards the 2007 class. As a junior last season, Sykes caught 22 passes for 400 yards. He impressed during the spring with standout performances at 7-on-7 camps. He ran a 4.56 in the 40 at Virginia Tech�s 2005 summer camp. 2005 Stats: 6 receptions, 104 yards; 74-yard KR return

Wide Receiver Targets

Player(School)

Star Rank

VT Stock

Official visits/Favorites

Recruiting coach

Percy Harvin

None/Low?

FSU, MIA, MICH, FL � 10/16, USC

Bryan Stinespring

Comments: There are rumors floating around that Harvin may have more interest in VT than he lets on, but I won�t believe it until I see it. I still see Harvin heading to the state of Florida for his college football.

Vidal Hazelton
Hargrave Military Academy

Fair

FSU � 09/03, MIA, FL, USC, TN, VA, VT

Kevin Rogers

Comments: Hazelton said in August that he wanted to make a visit to Virginia Tech. Still, it looks like he�s going to head out-of-state after his one-year stint in the state of Virginia.

Damon McDaniel

High

FL � 09/16, LSU � 10/16, VT � 11/04

Bryan Stinespring

Comments: Just when Damon says Tech is on the outside looking in, he reportedly schedules an official visit for the Miami game.

LaMarcus Bond

Fair

AUB, MIA, UNC, NCSU, VA, VT

Comments: Bond always names Virginia Tech among his top programs but, as of a few weeks ago, hadn�t had any phone contact with the Tech staff. Wide receiver is not really a need, so perhaps the staff is looking to fill needs elsewhere.

Owen Spencer

High

NCSU, VT

Comments: Virginia Tech may get an official visit, but N.C. State is the team to beat.

Tight End Commitments

Player

Star Rank

Ht, Wt, 40

School (Hometown)

Recruiting coach

Andre Smith

6-4, 235, 4.7

Seneca Valley(Germantown, MD)

Tony Ball

Notes: Virginia Tech started to incorporate its tight ends a lot more last season, and it�s trying to upgrade the talent at the position as well. Smith is a really good athlete with terrific speed for his size. He�ll be an asset in the passing game, but will likely need to improve his strength in order to be a solid blocker as well. Still, Smith is a very good pick-up.

Tight End Targets

Player(School)

Star Rank

VT Stock

Official visits/Favorites

Recruiting coach

Drew Gloster
Good Counsel (Wheaton, MD)

Very High

VT � 10/10, MD � 12/02, FL, GA, MIA

Billy Hite

Comments: Obviously, the best thing would have been for Drew to commit to Tech and not take any official visits. But he has decided to make all five officials and may wait until he has taken all of them before committing. I still like Virginia Tech�s chances a lot, as Drew has had Tech at the top of his list for a long time.

Offensive Line Commitments

Player

Star Rank

Ht, Wt, 40

School (Hometown)

Recruiting coach

Clark Crum

6-7, 280

Scioto (Dublin, Ohio)

Bryan Stinespring

Notes: In his first few years in high school, Crum dreamed of earning a scholarship in basketball. He took up football as well and has since dedicated himself to the gridiron. Good news for Virginia Tech, which lands a prospect with excellent size and athleticism. Crum has some room to develop, but physically he looks to be an outstanding prospect.

Beau Warren

6-4, 260

Centreville(Clifton, Virginia)

Lorenzo Ward

Notes: Add another Warren to the program. Beau is the biggest yet and projects as an offensive lineman. A red-shirt year will be just what Warren needs to get bigger and stronger. Right now, he shows very good technique and is a good player for one of the most productive high school programs in the state.

Offensive Line Targets

Player(School)

Star Rank

VT Stock

Official visits/Favorites

Recruiting coach

Aaron Brown
Princeton (Cincinnati, OH)

Very High

AUB � 09/02, OSU � 09/09, LOUS � 09/16, VT � 09/23, MIA � 09/30

Bryan Stinespring

Comments: There is tough, tough competition here, but Brown had a fantastic experience in Blacksburg earlier this year. At the very least, it looks like Tech has just as good a chance as the rest right now. Brown would be a huge addition at a position of need.

Lou Eliades
Ocean Twsp (Oakhurst, N.J.)

Very High

S Car � 09/16, VT � 11/04

Kevin Rogers

Comments: Eliades is an important recruit as well and he seems to really like the Hokies. He had a great unofficial visit to Blacksburg earlier this year. If Tech isn�t the team to beat, it�s close.

Alex Stadler
Liberty (Bealeton, VA)

Very High

VT � 09/23

Lorenzo Ward

Comments: Tech is in good position with Stadler, however, he is looking at several out-of-state schools as well. Alabama is one school that the Liberty star really liked on an unofficial visit. But, in the end, the childhood favorite (Tech) could be hard to overcome.

Lee Tilley
South (Springfield, OH)

Fair

AZ St, CLEM, FL, LSU, OU, S Car, VT

Bryan Stinespring

Comments: Tilley enjoyed his unofficial visit to Tech earlier this year, but it�s up in the air right now as to whether Tech will land an official visit. I�d give the edge to the SEC programs at this point.

Hutch Eckerson
Lumberton (N.C.)

High

UVA leads S Car, VT

Comments: Eckerson will take an official visit to Tech. Virginia leads right now, but he will take a thorough look at all of his options before committing anywhere. Hutch wants to take all five official visits.

Sean Allen
James Hunt (Wilson, N.C.)

High

VT (only offer)

Comments: Allen listed Tech as his favorite school, but the Hokies may be waiting to hear from other more highly-rated prospects at this point.

Defensive Tackle Commitments

Player

Star Rank

Ht, Wt, 40

School (Hometown)

Recruiting coach

Daryl Robertson

6-3, 300, 4.9

Liberty (Bedford, Virginia)

Bryan Stinespring

Notes: Robertson has size, strength and shows good quickness off the ball. He has been well coached by Liberty head coach Chris Watts, who oversees one of the top in-state high school football programs. Robertson also has excellent work ethic, something you would expect from someone who looks up to Tech defensive end Darryl Tapp.

Defensive Tackle Targets

Player(School)

Star Rank

VT Stock

Official visits/Favorites

Recruiting coach

Gerald McCoy, 6-4, 305
Southeast (Okla. City, OK)

Fair

MIA � 10/1, USC � 11/04, LSU, NEB, ND, OU, TN

Comments: Hoping to get some more info on McCoy very soon.

Jason Kates, 6-3, 320
Bishop McDevitt (Harrisburg, PA)

Fair/High

ND leads?

Danny Pearman

Comments: Kates has shown interest in Virginia Tech. According to his head coach, Kates will take several official visits before committing anywhere. Virginia Tech remains in the mix but maybe isn�t at the top of the list right now. Notre Dame may be the team to beat here.

Jared Odrick, 6-6, 300
Lebanon (Lebanon, PA)

High

FL � 09/16, VT � 09/23, PSU � 10/28, GA � 11/11, UVA � 11/18

Kevin Rogers

Comments: Virginia Tech will get its shot to impress Odrick, a stud defensive line recruit. Each team figures to have a solid shot. Penn State is the in-state school, so it may be the team to watch if location becomes a factor.

Phillip Taylor, 6-4, 330
Gwynn Park (Brandywine, MD)

High

MD, PSU, VT, UVA

Tony Ball

Comments: Maryland will likely be tough to beat, but Taylor has expressed interest in taking an official visit to Tech. Penn State and UVA are also serious contenders.

Olufemi Ajiboye, 6-2, 290
Banneker (College Park, GA)

Very High

AUB, GA, VT

Lorenzo Ward

Comments: Hope to get some more info on Ajiboye very soon.

Reggie Gibson, 6-2, 285

Very High

Syracuse, Virginia Tech

Billy Hite

Comments: Gibson may be getting slow-played right now, as he is waiting to hear from the coaches on if he would be accepted at Tech. If Tech would accept him, he would be a Hokie. If not, look for Reggie to head to Syracuse.

Defensive End Commitments

Player

Star Rank

Ht, Wt, 40

School (Hometown)

Recruiting coach

Mike Gee

6-2, 240, 4.7

Dwight Morrow
(Englewood, N.J.)

Kevin Rogers

Notes: Mike Gee is a typical Tech defensive end � a little small per "typical" defensive end standards, but athletic and fast. Gee combines good speed with good strength, as Queen of Peace DC Gabe Infante said "he runs like a halfback but hits you like a middle linebacker." Gee�s favorite player is Colts defensive end Dwight Freeney and Hokie fans certainly hope that�s what he�ll play like.

Defensive End Targets

Player(School)

Star Rank

VT Stock

Official visits/Favorites

Recruiting coach

Jason Adjepong, 6-3, 245, 4.7
Carteret (N.J.)

Very High

VT, RUT

Kevin Rogers

Comments: Rutgers should no be overlooked here, as Jason is very proud of his home state. That being said, Virginia Tech has a good chance here. Jason had a great unofficial visit earlier this year and likes VT�s system.

John Graves, 6-3, 240, 4.75
Meadowbrook (Richmond, VA)

Very High

UVA leads VT, GA

Jim Cavanaugh

Comments: John hasn�t committed yet, so it looks like he might take a few official visits before committing. I still think Virginia�s the team to beat, so Tech has some work to do if it wants to overcome the Cavs. Georgia is there as well, but I think location plays a factor in the end.

Aaron Maybin, 6-3, 220, 4.6
Mt. Hebron (Ellicott City, MD)

Very High/High

FL, PSU, VT

Tony Ball

Comments: Virginia Tech has landed an official visit spot from Maybin and appears to be in solid shape. Aaron wants to take all five official visits, so this will be a hard fought recruitment.

Josh Minton, 6-4, 245, 4.7
Pulaski SW (Somerset, KY)

Very High/High

KY, LOU, VT

Charley Wiles

Comments: Virginia Tech was the first major program to offer Minton and still remains high on his list. I like Virginia Tech�s chances here, as coach Wiles has done a great job. Minton�s head coach, Dale Anderson, has a tremendous amount of respect for the Tech staff.

Brian Whitmore, 6-4, 240, 4.7
Oscar Smith (Chesapeake, VA)

Very High

LSU, MIA, VT

Bryan Stinespring

Comments: Before the recruiting process began, Brian admitted that Virginia Tech was his clear leader. He now wants to visit out of state powerhouses such as LSU and Miami. Whitmore is no longer a Tech lock, but he is good friends with Greg Boone and the fact that Tech was his original leads me to believe that the Hokies remain the team to beat.

Donnell Sanders

Very High

ARK, VT

Lorenzo Ward

Comments: Hope to get more info on Sanders soon.

Linebacker Commitments

Player

Star Rank

Ht, Wt, 40

School (Hometown)

Recruiting coach

Nekos Brown

6-3, 225, 4.68

Thomas Stone(Waldorf, MD)

Tony Ball

Notes: Nekos is a strong player. To give you an idea of how strong, he made seven sacks at defensive tackle last season as a junior. He also has solid speed and is a good addition to Tech�s linebacking crew.

Linebacker Targets

Player(School)

Star Rank

VT Stock

Official visits/Favorites

Recruiting coach

Navorro Bowman
Suitland (MD)

Very High

PSU � 09/02, TN - , VT � 11/04

Tony Ball

Comments: Bowman had a very good visit to Penn State and has set visits to Tennessee and Virginia Tech as well. Bowman likes Tech�s defense and he likes the ACC a lot. Assuming he has a great experience on his official visit, Virginia Tech could be one of if not the favorite for his signature.

Jarrell Miller, 6-3, 235, 4.7
Highland Springs (VA)

Very High

UVA, VT, 10 others

Jim Cavanaugh

Comments: Miller is more open than Macho Harris was last year. Tech has reason to be optimistic because of the track record with Highland Springs HS as well as a great relationship between the coaches and Miller, but don�t be surprised if Virginia is a big player as well. If I had to guess, I�d still say Tech is the team to beat, but this one is far from over. Miller is looking seriously at Tennessee as well, so don�t count out the Vols, either.

Brandon Spikes, 6-4, 225, 4.7
Crest (Shelby, N.C.)

Fair/High

VT � 11/04, FL � 11/25

Comments: Even though Virginia Tech will get an official visit, I think Florida may be the team to beat here. But a great official visit experience could give the Hokies a huge boost here, so we�ll see.

Kelvin Sheppard, 6-2, 220, 4.6
Stephenson (Stone Mtn, GA)

Fair

LSU � 09/23, GA, MD, TN, VT

Lorenzo Ward

Comments: Sheppard is another player we hope to have more on soon.

Matt Wright, 6-3, 213, 4.6
Phoebus (Hampton, VA)

Very High

NCSU, VT

Jim Cavanaugh

Comments: Virginia Tech always does well at Phoebus. I think Wright will end up with the Hokies in the end, although N.C. State is another school he seems high on as well.

Defensive Back Commitments

Player

Star Rank

Ht, Wt, 40

School (Hometown)

Recruiting coach

Rashad Carmichael

5-9, 175, 4.49

Gwynn Park(Brandywine, MD)

Tony Ball

Notes: Carmichael earned his VT offer with a stellar performance at Tech�s senior camp. He ran a 4.49 in the 40 yard dash and posted a tremendous vertical leap. He didn�t start as a junior, but showed off his talents by leading his team in interceptions.

Defensive Back Targets

Player(School)

Star Rank

VT Stock

Official visits/Favorites

Recruiting coach

Greg Davis, 6-2, 189, 4.5
Blue Ridge (St. George, VA)

High

NEB � 10/30, MIA (no offer), UVA, VT

Tony Ball

Comments: I would look for Virginia Tech to land an official visit from Davis, but right now I�d give the edge to UVa. Greg is not a UVa lock, but I do like UVa�s chances.

Mario Edwards, 6-1, 180, 4.6
Westlake (Atlanta, GA)

Very High

Mississippi State, VT

Lorenzo Ward

Comments: Tech is the favorite right now. Coach Ward has kept in consistent contact with Edwards since September 1st, so it looks like the Hokies remain extremely interested as well. Edwards is thinking of a November 4th official visit to Blacksburg.

Athlete (ATH) Commitments

Player

Star Rank

Ht, Wt, 40

School (Hometown)

Recruiting coach

Devin Radford

5-8, 175, 4.4

E.E. Smith (Fayetteville, N.C.)

Notes: Radford likely will end up at cornerback, where he made five interceptions last year as a junior. He has tremendous closing speed, often baiting quarterbacks into throwing his direction before stepping in front for a pick. Very fast, Radford has been timed at 11 seconds flat in the 100 meters.

Athlete (ATH) Targets

Player(School)

Star Rank

VT Stock

Official visits/Favorites

Recruiting coach

Lucas Caparelli, 5-11, 190, 4.5
Robinson (Fairfax, VA)

High

No favorites

Lorenzo Ward

Possible positions: RB, CB, S

Comments: Lucas has maintained that he is wide open. I would be surprised if VT doesn�t land an official, though. I will also be surprised if Tech isn�t one of the finalists here.

Zach Luckett, 6-3, 205, 4.5
Holy Spirit (Absecon, N.J.)

Very High

VT � 09/16 leads BC

Kevin Rogers

Possible positions: WR, DB, LB

Comments: Virginia Tech has led for Luckett for quite some time and the official only firmed his stance. Tech looks to be on the right track for a verbal from one of the best athlete�s on the East coast.

Brent Vinson, 6-1, 185, 4.39
Phoebus (Hampton, VA)

Very High

VT, UVA

Jim Cavanaugh

Possible positions: WR, CB

Comments: Again, Virginia Tech has a great track record in landing Phoebus players. Virginia Tech has had the edge for quite some time, but Virginia is right there as well and will also get an official visit. I still give Tech the edge right now, but Vinson is checking out the �Hoos as well.

Sterling Blunt, 6-5, 255
Hemmingway (S.C.)

Very High

VT

Possible Positions: OL, DL

Comments: Hope to get more info soon, but Blunt is another player that may miss out b/c of other more highly rated prospects.

Keith Payne, 6-3, 215, 4.6
Oakton (Vienna, VA)

Very High

Virginia Tech

Lorenzo Ward

Possible positions: RB, LB, DB

Comments: Payne has had an offer from VT for a while, but appears to be waiting for other programs to offer. If Virginia offers, they would likely be the team to beat.