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2011 Recruiting is Winding Down
by Chris Coleman, TechSideline.com, TSLMail #466, January 7, 2011

Recruiting is winding down, and the Hokies picked up their 18th commitment on Friday afternoon when Lynchburg Christian Academy wide receiver Demetri Knowles pulled the trigger. Knowles is a track standout who is rated as the #1 sprinter in the mid-Atlantic. He is a raw football player who the Hokies are hoping to develop into a big-time deep threat.

As of right now, the Hokies have three more major targets for the 2011 recruiting class: North Carolina linebacker Stephone Anthony, Georgia athlete Demontevious Smith and Florida running back Kevin Grooms. All three players are schedule to visit on January 21.

Stephone Anthony is the highest-rated player on Tech's board, and he would also be the best overall recruit in the class. The 6-3, 220-lbs linebacker prospect is the #1 player in the state of North Carolina, and #31 in the nation. Anthony would be the highest-rated defensive player to commit to Virginia Tech since Macho Harris back in 2005.

Harris is also the most versatile linebacker the Hokies have been involved with. He could potentially play any of the three linebacker positions in the Tech defense, though he is mostly viewed as either a backer or a whip. However, he plays middle linebacker for Anson High School, and he could play the mike position for Tech as well.

Anthony is also considering Florida, NC State and Clemson. He is visiting Florida this week, Clemson next week, Virginia Tech on January 21, and NC State on January 28. His primary recruiter is Kevin Sherman.

Kevin Grooms is a 5-10, 165-lbs running back from Hollywood, FL. He is rated the #53 player in the state of Florida, and he has offers from Florida State, Louisville, Kansas and Tennessee. Grooms rushed for over 1,400 yards in 2010, and accounted for 29 touchdowns, six of which came on punt returns.

Grooms relies more on speed, cutbacks and reversing field to pile up yardage in high school. He will have to put on weight and speed when he gets to college, and he will also have to change into more of a north-south runner. However, Grooms is an excellent athlete and would be a good pickup for Virginia Tech. He is scheduled to visit Virginia Tech on January 21, after visiting Florida State on January 14. He is being recruited by Charley Wiles.

The final recruit is Monroe, Georgia athlete Demontevious Smith, who also holds offers from Air Force, Navy, Louisiana-Monroe and Buffalo. Smith, at 6-1, 185-lbs, is being recruited to play option quarterback by Air Force and Navy, which shows that his leadership skills are well thought of. He threw for 700 yards as a senior, while rushing for 1,800 yards and 27 touchdowns.

Smith seems like he would be a good fit for the Georgia Tech offense, though the Yellow Jackets and head coach Paul Johnson have yet to extend a scholarship offer. He is being recruited to Virginia Tech as an athlete, and would probably play defensive back for the Hokies.

January 21 is setting up to be an important recruiting weekend for the Hokies. Besides the three uncommitted prospects listed above, Tech commitments Jake Goins, Demetri Knowles, Darius Redman, Matt Roth and Kyshoen Jarrett are tentatively scheduled to visit.

 

 

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