Now that Spring Practice is over, recruiting is starting to heat up. Virginia Tech and Virginia, as well as other schools, will compete against each other for the services of the top athletes from around the Commonwealth. It's time for a quick introduction to some of the top prospects in the state of Virginia.

Note that this is my very early top 10 list, and not the official rankings by recruiting analyst Chris Horne, which will be revealed in late spring/early summer (usually June).

Virginia Tech has already secured a commitment from Oscar Smith tailback J.C. Coleman, who is arguably the top playmaker in the state of Virginia. Tech is in it with six other recruits on that list, though let's first go through the guys that aren't going to be Hokies.

Eli Harold: a very good defensive end from Ocean Lakes with a big offer list. Right now, it looks like he wants to get out-of-state and play in the SEC.

Alex Carter: Carter could play defensive back or wide receiver in college, and Stanford has picked up a very good prospect.

Anthony Cooper: The athlete from Bayside High School just doesn't seem to be very high on the Hokies, for whatever reason.

The Hokies are right in the mix for the rest of the undecided players on that list.

Joel Caleb: Caleb apparently wants to play wide receiver in college, and the Hokies will have early playing time available. He has been considered a Tech lean for quite awhile.

Deon Clarke: Clarke is a very productive linebacker from L.C. Byrd in Chesterfield. He would play the backer position at Tech. This will likely be a battle between the in-state schools.

Kwontie Moore: Moore is an imposing mike linebacker prospect from Norfolk Christian Academy. He has great size, and he likes Tech a lot after visiting for the Spring Game. Other candidates are UVA, North Carolina, Arkansas and Vanderbilt. He'll likely pick up other offers this summer.

Ken Ekanem: Ekanem is from Centreville, and he is either a defensive end or an outside linebacker in college. Tech is right in the picture for Ekanem as of now, but if he considers himself a better fit as an outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme, he will likely head elsewhere.

Korren Kirven: Kirven is an excellent raw athlete with a great offer list. He plays a bit high, and relies on his swim move too much, but his long term potential is very high. He is considered a heavy Virginia Tech lean.

Nigel Williams: Williams could potentially play defensive tackle or defensive end. He is a very underrated prospect, in my opinion. He's an excellent athlete who also plays tight end for Benedictine School.

Those are just some of the names that you'll be hearing from now until Signing Day next February. The recruiting season is just starting to heat up, and the summer should bring us lots of exciting news, and hopefully lots of exciting commitments from some of the players listed above.

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