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VT Recruiting War Room #9: Offense
by Chris Horne, 12/12/03

News of the week…Hargrave receiver Justin Harper committing to Virginia Tech.

This weekend is going to be a huge one for Virginia Tech’s defensive targets. They host a number of them, including in-state stars LB Andrew Bowman and DE Olu Hall and out-of-state targets DT Carl Howard, DE Mike Mangold, ATH John Dunlap, and CB Rod Council is visiting Thursday and leaving Friday. Offensively, the only target is Michael Green, a fullback/linebacker from Deptford HS in New Jersey.

Tech fans received great news this week, when talented Hargrave wide receiver Justin Harper committed to Virginia Tech. Harper is a big receiver with great athletic ability, in the mold of current senior wideout Ernest Wilford. Harper is a great addition to the wide receiver corps, and remaining targets at the position now include Eddie Royal, Derrick McPhearson, and Armand Cauthen. If they land two of the remaining targets, the wide receiving corps would be significantly upgraded, in my opinion.

Conestoga Valley quarterback Jordan Steffy announced his choice yesterday, picking the Maryland Terrapins over the Hokies. Steffy has a tremendous amount of respect for VT QB coach Kevin Rogers, but that wasn't enough to get the Hokies over the hump and into first place.

Following this weekend, look for Virginia Tech to almost certainly receive official visits from the following offensive targets: Carey, Ore, Royal, McPhearson, Shuman, and Zuttah. They have the best chance right now, in my opinion, with Carey, Ore, Royal, and Shuman, and are certainly in the mix for Zuttah and McPhearson.

The top remaining offensive targets – with written offers – look like this …

  • QB’s – Jordan Steffy
  • RB’s – Antwain Carey, Brandon Ore
  • FB’s – Michael Green
  • WR’s – Armand Cauthen, Eddie Royal, Derrick McPhearson, Hilton Pitts
  • OL – Ryan Shuman, Jeremy Zuttah

With four (possibly five, if you count Holland on offense) commitments on the offensive side of the ball, look for Tech to go for maybe five or six more commitments on offense. I expect Virginia Tech to take 18-22 commitments for this year's class.

 

QUARTERBACKS

2004 Losses to Eligibility

2004 Roster

2004 Commitments

None

Senior Bryan Randall
Sophomore Marcus Vick
Freshman
Cory Holt

Sean Glennon

Needs: With Conestoga Valley (PA) quarterback Jordan Steffy committing to Maryland, it appears that Virginia Tech's QB recruiting is done for the year. Cory Holt and Sean Glennon are two excellent quarterback prospects already in the fold. Holt is developing nicely at Hargrave Military Academy while Glennon has led Westfield to an undefeated record this season.

Holt is one point shy on his ACT from qualifying, and he took the test again last weekend. If he qualifies, he will enroll in January 2004.

Targets: None

QB Commitments - 1

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

Senior Stats: 94 completions in 161 attempts, 1,738 yards and 25 touchdowns. He has thrown only three interceptions.

The Skinny: Sean has led Westfield to the Virginia AAA Division 6 championship game. They face Landstown High School (Virginia Beach, VA) at the University of Richmond Stadium this Saturday. Glennon completed 7 of 12 passes for 199 yards, one touchdown and one interception in the 24-14 win over Hylton earlier this week.

QB Top Targets

None.

TAILBACKS

2004 Losses to Eligibility

2004 Roster

2004 Commitments

Kevin Jones (going pro one year early)

Junior Cedric Humes
Junior Mike Imoh
Junior John Candelas

George Bell

Needs: 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.

Targets: Antwain Carey, Brandon Ore

RB Commitments – 1

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

The Skinny: When George Bell committed to Virginia Tech on the "Countdown to Signing Day" show on October 22nd, the Hokies got a big lift at the running back position. Bell hopes to enroll at Virginia Tech in January of 2004, which helps in a few ways: 1) He can learn the offense earlier and be mentally ready for next season, and, 2) If any further action is needed physically on this rehabbed knee, he can have that done hopefully before the start of next season. If Bell returns to 100%, the Hokies landed one of the top running backs in the class of 2004.

RB Top Targets

Antwain Carey, 6-2, 200, 4.4 Deep Creek HS (Chesapeake, VA)
Schools: NCSU (OFFER, OV 12/13/03), UNC (OFFER, OV 01/10/04), VT (OFFER, OV)

The Skinny: Virginia Tech is still recruiting Carey very heavily. He wants to make an official visit to Virginia Tech and just needs to set the date. He likes NC State and UNC (who recently offered), however I think Virginia Tech is looking strong at this point.

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

MD (OFFER), TN (OFFER), UNC (OFFER), VT (OFFER)

The Skinny: Brandon has visited both Virginia Tech and UNC unofficially so far and seemed to like both programs. He wants to visit all four of these schools. Virginia Tech was his early leader however Brandon seems to want to take an open approach heading into his visits. I think VT and UNC are strong here, with Tennessee lurking. Brandon is a very talented tailback who is being recruited as a running back, but could easily switch to receiver on the next level.

FULLBACKS

2004 Losses to Eligibility

2004 Roster

2004 Commitments

Doug Easlick
Steve Canter

Junior Jeff King
R-freshman John Kinzer
Walk-Ons:
Junior Mike Perlozzo
Sophomore Jesse Allen
R-freshman Carlton Weatherford.

None

Needs: Virginia Tech could use one top fullback in this year’s class.

Targets: Michael Green

FB Commitments - None

FB Top Targets

Michael Green, 6-1, 235, 4.7 Deptford (Deptford, NJ)
Schools: VT (OFFER, OV 12/13/03) leads IND (OFFER), MD (OFFER, OV), MIA (no offer), UVA (no offer)

The Skinny: Mike really likes Virginia Tech, and has named the Hokies as his favorite consistently over the past few months. He makes an official visit this weekend. I don’t expect him to commit right away, because he has indicated he would at least like to make another official visit to compare.

Tech is recruiting him as a fullback or linebacker.

WIDE RECEIVERS

2004 Losses to Eligibility

2004 Roster

2004 Commitments

Chris Shreve
Ernest Wilford

Split Ends:
Junior Chris Clifton
Sophomore Michael Malone
Sophomore Brenden Hill
Sophomore Chris Caesar
Flankers:
Senior Richard Johnson
Junior Justin Hamilton
Sophomore Robert Parker
Sophomore David Clowney
R-freshman Josh Hyman.

Justin Harper

Needs: The Hokies are very high on speedy freshmen David Clowney and Josh Hyman, but they need to add even more playmakers to the group. Getting Justin Harper was a great start for the Hokies in their recruitment of wide receivers. Harper’s commitment may mean Tech focuses less on the bigger, stronger Hilton Pitts and more on Royal, Cauthen, and McPhearson.

Targets: Armand Cauthen, Derrick McPhearson, Hilton Pitts, Eddie Royal

WR Commitments – 1

Justin Harper, 6-4, 190, 4.5 Hargrave Military Academy

The Skinny: Harper chose the Hokies over offers from NC State, UNC, and Wake Forest. Justin is a big receiver with good speed, great leaping ability, and good hands. He may need some time to develop, but he certainly has the physical tools to become an excellent player on the next level. He will enroll at Virginia Tech in January 2004.

WR Top Targets

Armand Cauthen, 6-1, 200, 4.5 Hargrave Military Academy

Schools: CONN (no offer), NCSU (no offer), UNC (no offer), VT (OFFER, OV 12/06/03), WF (no offer)

The Skinny: Armand is a receiver that runs great routes, has great hands, and has improved his speed since high school. He has an offer from Virginia Tech (his only written offer), but wants to keep his options open for as long as possible. He would like to enroll in January 2004 but first needs to achieve a qualifying test score.

Derrick McPhearson, 6-0, 185, 4.38 DeMatha Catholic (Hyattsville, MD)
Schools: FL (OFFER, OV 01/24/04), KENT ST (OFFER), MD (OFFER, OV 12/06/03), MIA (OFFER), MICH (OFFER), NCSU (OFFER), ND (OFFER), OSU (OFFER), PITT (OFFER, OV 12/13/03), VT (OFFER)

The Skinny: Derrick took his first official visit last weekend, to Maryland. He goes to Pitt this weekend, and has scheduled Florida for the January 24th. Virginia Tech and Michigan will likely receive the final two official visit spots. He likes Marcus Vick a lot, however has never seen Virginia Tech. Maryland is still the likely favorite. His brother plays there, and he originally committed to the Terrapins the summer before his junior year.

Eddie Royal, 5-10, 170, 4.4 Westfield HS (Chantilly, VA)
Schools: VT (OFFER, OV 01/23/04) leads MAR (OFFER, OV 01/31/04), OSU (no offer), TN (OFFER, OV), UVA (OFFER, OV 01/17/04)

The Skinny: Virginia Tech is the leader right now. Eddie likes Marshall a lot as well, so those two are above the rest. I wouldn’t be surprised if Virginia made their way back to the top, however Virginia Tech is the favorite right now and they sounded strong when I spoke to Eddie earlier this week.

Hilton Pitts, 6-3, 215, 4.5 John I Leonard (Greenacres, FL)
Schools: CINC (OFFER), ECU (OFFER, OV 12/06/03), ISU (OFFER), VT (OFFER)

The Skinny: According to JIL Head Coach Terry Gough, Virginia Tech offered Pitts contingent upon him improving his academic standing. He did not seem confident that Pitts would make an official visit to Virginia Tech, and with the commitment from Justin Harper, the Hokies may not pursue him as heavily.

TIGHT ENDS

2004 Losses to Eligibility

2004 Roster

2004 Commitments

Keith Willis

Senior Jared Mazzetta
Junior Jeff King
R-Freshman Duane Brown
R-Freshman Matt Roan

None

Needs: Virginia Tech could use one more tight end prospect in the program, however it doesn’t appear they are looking at anyone right now. King could return to full-time tight end next season if the Hokies can find a fullback replacement. The Hokies already have 6-5, 260 pound Stone Bridge (VA) tight end Ed Wang in the fold for the class of 2005, but Wang will likely move to OL.

Targets: See below.

TE Commitments - None

TE Top Targets – None

 

OFFENSIVE LINEMEN

2004 Losses to Eligibility

2004 Roster

2004 Commitments

C Jake Grove
OG Jacob Gibson

Centers:
Senior Robert Ramsey
R-Freshman Tripp Carroll
Sophomore Andrew Fleck
Sophomore Mike Parham.
Guards:
Senior James Miller
Junior Will Montgomery
Junior Jason Murphy
Sophomore Brandon Gore
Sophomore Danny McGrath
Sophomore Mike Parham
Sophomore Andrew Fleck
R-Freshman Matt Welsh
Tackles:
Senior Jon Dunn
Junior Jimmy Martin
Junior Chris Pannell
Junior Reggie Butler
Sophomore Brandon Frye
Freshman Nick Marshman

None

Needs: The staff seems to be concentrating on only a few offensive line prospects for this year, as they appear to have solid depth already in place for next season. They will take two (hopefully) and look strong for Ryan Shuman of Fork Union. The Hokies have received a commitment from Northside (Roanoke, VA) defensive end Brandon Holland. Holland is being recruited as a defensive end, however he could easily be an offensive tackle in college.

Targets: Ryan Shuman,

Jeremy Zuttah

OL Commitments - None

OL Top Targets

Note that previous target Phil Trautwein has decided not to take a visit to VT, so we have dropped him from our list.

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

The Skinny: I’m trying to reach Ryan this week to get an update on his official visits. If everything remains the same in terms of offers, I would look for him to commit to Virginia Tech after making a few official visits.

Jeremy Zuttah, 6-4, 285 JP Stevens (Edison, NJ)
Schools: BC (OFFER), IOWA (OFFER, 12/13/03), MD (OFFER), OSU (OFFER, OV 12/06/03), PITT (OFFER), RUT (OFFER), VT (OFFER)

The Skinny: Jeremy seems genuinely wide open heading into his official visits, which began last weekend with a trip to Ohio State. He’s never been to Virginia Tech before, and hopes to schedule an official visit very soon. He is down to the seven schools mentioned above.


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