Tech added a huge commitment on October 22^nd, when Jack Britt HS (Fayetteville, NC) running back George Bell chose the Hokies over NC State and UNC. Running back was a serious need for the Hokies, and with Bell, they have added immediate depth and talent to the running back position. While it appears Virginia Tech will continue to recruit Antwain Carey and Brandon Ore, the addition of Bell is a big sigh of relief with the prospect of Kevin Jones turning pro after this season.

Northside (Roanoke, VA) star Brandon Holland committed to Virginia Tech last week. While he is being recruited as a defensive end (which is why he�s listed on defense), Holland has the frame and the long arms to become an excellent offensive tackle prospect as well. Don�t be surprised at all if he ends up on offense next year.

The top remaining offensive targets � with written offers � look like this �

• QB�s � Jordan Steffy
• RB�s � Antwain Carey, Brandon Ore
• WR�s � Justin Harper, Eddie Royal, Derrick McPhearson, Hilton Pitts
• OL � Ryan Shuman, Phil Trautwein, Jeremy Zuttah

The official visits that have been set by offensive targets include�

• November 22^nd: Quarterback Jordan Steffy
• January 23^rd: Wide Receiver Eddie Royal

The Hokies have a great shot at both running backs, two receivers (Harper and Royal), and one offensive lineman (Shuman) from the above list. They have a good shot with both Steffy and McPhearson. That being said, Virginia Tech is in very good position to land some excellent offensive talent in this year�s class.

Sean Glennon, 6-4, 190 Westfield HS (Chantilly, VA)

At a Glance: Through nine games, Glennon has completed 66 of 110 passes (60% CP) for 1,210 yards and 18 touchdowns. He has only thrown one interception, increasing his interception total to only eight over his three-year stint as a starter.

Jordan Steffy, 6-1, 210 Conestoga Valley HS (Conestoga Valley, PA)
Schools: MD (OFFER, OV 12/06/03), MSU (OFFER, OV 10/03/03), VT (OFFER, OV 11/22/03) lead CLEM (OFFER, OV 11/08/03), PUR (OFFER,), SYR (OFFER)

At a Glance: Steffy has said he will announce his decision the week following his December 6^th visit to Maryland. Initially he indicated December 9^th as an announcement date but has reportedly changed that to December 11^th.

Virginia Tech is still heavily recruiting both Antwain Carey and Brandon Ore. Carey is out for the season after re-injuring his foot, but figures to be back to 100% by the time he gets to college. Ore is a wiry tailback who could move to wide receiver or even defensive back if needed. He�s a smooth, fluid runner. Look for the Hokies to take both players if they want to commit. Lakewood (NJ) running back Dwayne Jones likes VT as well, and could make a great fullback. He wants to play tailback in college, however.

George Bell, 5-11, 225, 4.45 Jack Britt HS (Fayetteville, NC)

At a Glance: Bell rushed for 119 yards on just 12 carries in a 37-12 loss to Richmond County last Friday. It was his second game back from a serious knee injury suffered as a junior last season.

Antwain Carey, 6-2, 200, 4.4 Deep Creek HS (Chesapeake, VA)
Schools: VT (OFFER) leads ECU (OFFER), NCSU (OFFER), SYR (OFFER)

Dwayne Jones, 6-1, 230, 4.45 Lakewood (NJ)
Schools: BC (OFFER), NEB (OFFER), OSU (No Offer), RUT (OFFER), UVA (No Offer), VT (No Offer)

At a Glance: Jones reportedly has an offer from Virginia Tech, however I have not confirmed this. I hope to speak to Dwayne very soon for an update.

Brandon Ore, 6-2, 195 4.4 Indian River HS (Chesapeake, VA)

VT (OFFER) leads PSU (No Offer), TN (No Offer), UNC (No Offer), UVA (No Offer)

Michael Green, 6-1, 235, 4.7 Deptford (Deptford, NJ)
Schools: VT (OFFER) leads ILL (OFFER), IND (OFFER), MD (OFFER), NEB (No Offer), SYR (OFFER), UNC (OFFER), UVA (No Offer)

At a Glance: Per his October 23^rd article, Green still favors Virginia Tech. He told TSL that the Hokies are now mentioning the possibility of him playing linebacker as well.

Jeremy Gilchrist, 5-11, 185, 4.55 Landstown (Virginia Beach, VA)
Schools: COLO (OFFER), KENT ST (No Offer), MAR (No Offer), VT (No Offer), WVU (No Offer)

Carl Grimes, 5-9, 185, 4.4 St. Martin Deporres (Detroit, MI)
Schools: FSU (OFFER, OV 12/05/03), MSU (OFFER) heavily lead VT (OFFER)

Justin Harper, 6-4, 190, 4.5 Hargrave Military Academy
Schools: VT (OFFER) leads NCSU (OFFER), TN (No offer), UNC (OFFER), WF (OFFER)

Latest Info: Per his October 30^th update, Harper says "Virginia Tech and Wake Forest are my favorites, and Virginia Tech has the edge right now over the rest."

Harper hopes to make four official visits, likely to VT, Wake Forest, UNC, and NC State. Those four teams have extended official scholarship offers. Harper is a big play receiver who has made touchdown catches of 45, 61, and 47 on the season.

Derrick McPhearson, 6-0, 185, 4.38 DeMatha Catholic (Hyattsville, MD)
Schools: FL (OFFER, OV 12/20/03), MD (OFFER, OV 12/13/03), MIA (No Offer), MICH (OFFER), OSU (OFFER), PITT (OFFER, OV 12/06/03), VT (OFFER, OV)

Latest Info: Per his November 3^rd article, McPhearson knows he will visit Maryland, Pittsburgh, Virginia Tech, and Florida. He has set visit dates with all four, but was unsure which date VT fell on. A methodical person, McPhearson plans on taking his time before making a final decision.

"Everybody is fair game right now," said McPhearson. "I'm not making any visits. I'll take my visits and go where I feel the most comfortable. I need to feel comfortable with where I'm going to go, and that's the biggest factor. I want to take all of my visits, and then give myself time to think about my visits and decide where I want to go. I have time on my side, so I might as well use it."

Ohio State, Michigan, and Miami (FL) are the finalists for the fifth official visit.

Hilton Pitts, 6-3, 215, 4.5 John I Leonard (Greenacres, FL)
Schools: CINC (OFFER), ISU (OFFER), VT (OFFER)

At a Glance: Haven�t heard too much on the Pitts front. I haven�t been able to reach him or his coach this fall, but I hope to soon.

Eddie Royal, 5-10, 170, 4.4 Westfield HS (Chantilly, VA)
Schools: MAR (OFFER, OV), SYR (OFFER, OV), TN (OFFER, OV 12/12/03), VT (OFFER, OV 01/23/04) lead BC (OFFER), UNC (No offer)

Latest Info: More than impressed with his visit to Virginia Tech for the Miami game, Royal wanted to name VT as his leader. He will make all five visits, however, so he was hesitant to name a leader at this time.

"I would like to say they are [my leader], but I have to stay neutral," said Royal of Virginia Tech. "I'm going to take all five visits before I decide."

Royal has set up an official visit to VT for January 23^rd, and an official visit to Tennessee for December 13^th. He knows he will visit Marshall and Syracuse as well. Through nine games, Royal is up to 30 catches for 573 yards and seven touchdowns (receiving).

 

The Hokies are not heavily involved with any "top" tight ends right now. There are some potential prospects though. Anthony Hill, a 6-7, 250 pound tight end at Hargrave Military Academy, is receiving interest according to sources, and could be a name to remember. St. Thomas Aquinas (FL) wide receiver Brandon Ledbetter is another target, though he could end up staying at receiver.

Ryan Shuman, 6-3, 257 Fork Union Military Academy (Xion Crossroads, VA)
Schools: VT (OFFER) leads CMICH (OFFER), TOL (OFFER), VMI (OFFER), WMICH (OFFER)

At a Glance: Virginia Tech is recruiting Ryan Shuman as a center prospect. The Hokies remain the leader for the son of FUMA Post Grad Head Football Coach John Shuman. Shuman may play for his father once the Prep team�s regular season is compete.

Phil Trautwein, 6-7, 300 Eastern Regional (Voorhees, NJ)
Schools: BC (OFFER, OV 11/08/03), MD (OFFER), MSU (OFFER, OV 09/27/03), PITT (OFFER), RUT (OFFER), TN (OFFER, OV 12/13/03), UNC (OFFER), UVA (OFFER), VT (OFFER)

Latest Info: Per his November 3^rd update, Trautwein will visit Boston College this weekend. It is an official visit. Tennessee is now in the picture with an offer and a December 13^th official visit date, and Iowa is no longer being considered. Trautwein says Virginia Tech and Virginia are likely his fourth and fifth official visits if he takes them, unless more schools join the mix.

"I don't know yet who I might visit after Tennessee," said Trautwein. "It might be Virginia and Virginia Tech. My options are open to any other schools that might offer, but it looks like those two."

It doesn�t sound to me like Phil is too enthusiastic about either Virginia program, however if either of them get an official visit, things could change.

Jeremy Zuttah, 6-4, 285 JP Stevens (Edison, NJ)
Schools: IOWA (OFFER), MD (OFFER), NCSU (OFFER), OSU (OFFER), PITT (OFFER), RUT (OFFER), SYR (OFFER), VT (OFFER)

At a Glance: Zuttah dominated the SAT�s, scoring a 1,260. He has easily qualified academically, as he carries a 3.0 grade point average. He has dominated on the gridiron as well, amassing around 50 pancake blocks in seven games. He has recorded 40 tackles on defense. Most schools are recruiting him to play offense in college�likely offensive guard.

Latest Info: Jeremy still has not set any official visits. The teams he is considering per my November 5^th conversation with him include�

"I�m looking at Ohio State, Virginia Tech, Pittsburgh, Maryland, NC State, Iowa, and Rutgers," said Zuttah.

He says he will likely make all five official visits before deciding. Look for him to narrow his list within the next month, before December.

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