The VT Recruiting Class of 2003
by Chris Horne, 2/6/03

Defense, defense, and more defense. That was what the Hokies wanted and that is exactly what they got. The major haul came in the final week leading up to Signing Day 2003, when the Hokies received commitments from two All-American linebackers and one All-American defensive end. Virginia Tech also did an excellent job of filling needs at defensive back and along the offensive and defensive lines.

The Hokies did a better job in-state than the rival Virginia Cavaliers. Tech gained signatures from three of the state's top five players, signing 14 state prospects in total (15, if you count Hargrave's Michael Hinton as an in-state recruit), while the Cavaliers signed one top five prospect, 10 state prospects in all.

Virginia Tech only needed one quarterback in this class, and when Courtney Denson of Miami Central (FL) committed in August of last year, the Hokies thought they had their man. Five months later, with Denson continuing to take official visits to other schools, both parties decided to part ways, leaving Virginia Tech looking for a quarterback late in the recruiting process. Everything turned out just fine with the commitment of Lexington (NC) quarterback Cory Holt.

Holt is an excellent prospect. At 6-4, 205, Holt has good size and possesses good athletic ability. He plans to attend Hargrave Military Academy next year for one semester before heading to Blacksburg in January. This will give him some separation eligibility-wise from Marcus Vick, who will be a redshirt freshman next season. Holt will have the option of redshirting in 2004, if he chooses.

The Hokies, looking for a solid running back prospect to compete for playing time behind Kevin Jones, missed out on top prospects Tyrone Moss and Rodney Kinlaw. They did receive a commitment from speedy Kenny Lewis of GW-Danville (VA). Lewis is a good talent, as he has good hands to go along with quickness and awesome speed. One opposing coach said Lewis looks like he is flying when he runs the football.

Milford (OH) fullback Joey Razzano will be in the mix with senior Doug Easlick and sophomore Cedric Humes for playing time next year. Humes� situation � i.e., whether or not he moves back to tailback � could affect Razzano�s playing time opportunities. A true fullback, Razzano loves to block more than anything else. He is more like an offensive lineman in a fullback�s body.

Though Virginia Tech missed out on several wide receiver prospects early, they were able to close out strong. Tech received two commitments from speed burners during the final week. The big catch here is Hargrave Military Academy�s Michael Hinton. Hinton, who is 6-2, 197, runs a 4.4 in the 40. According to Hargrave Assistant Coach Joe Neuman, Hinton could easily add 20 pounds and keep his speed. A very physical player, he may get a look at defensive back as well.

Atlantic Community (Delray Beach, FL) wide receiver David Clowney committed and signed with Virginia Tech on Signing Day. The Hokies went after Clowney after Robinson (VA) athlete Chase Anastasio opted for Notre Dame. According to Atlantic head coach Chris Bean, Clowney�s main asset is his speed. "He has the ability to get to the end zone on any play, and he is constantly open," said Bean. While Clowney has the physical tools to be a very good wideout, he needs to gain football experience.

Josh Hyman, the former Deep Creek (Chesapeake, VA) star who prepped at Fork Union over the past year, will also figure into the mix at wide receiver. Hyman has a great burst every time he touches the football. At Fork Union, coach John Shuman used him on many reverses to get him out in open space.

Virginia Tech�s top two tight end prospects were Robinson�s (Fairfax, VA) John Kinzer and Hermitage�s (Richmond, VA) Duane Brown�they got both. Kinzer is a big, tough blocking tight end who, according to Robinson coach Mark Bendorf, has great hands and is an effective receiver. Brown, who plays basketball as well, is a terrific athlete that may be a more effective receiver than a blocker at this point. Brown missed virtually his entire senior season with a broken fibula, but he has fully recovered. The Hokies needed two good tight ends, and got their top targets.

Anyone who got a look at Tripp Carroll during the ESPN Army All-American game knows this kid has loads of potential. Carroll signed with Virginia Tech in January of 2003 and has already enrolled. The extra time in Spring practice may enable him to compete for quite a bit of playing time as a true freshman. Very athletic for an offensive lineman, Carroll could play anywhere along the offensive line. He is so athletic that he played fullback for most of his senior season.

The Hokies also received commitments from Centreville�s (VA) Matt Welsh and Turner Ashby�s (VA) Nick Marshman. Welsh is rated as one of the top 10 prospects in the state of Virginia while Marshman, who played mostly tight end and defensive line in high school, has a wonderful attitude and work ethic. Those characteristics will help him make the adjustment to the offensive line.

A major need area, Virginia Tech did an awesome job literally from beginning to end. Amherst (VA) defensive end Barry Booker and Magna Vista (VA) defensive lineman Kory Robertson committed in June and May, respectively, giving the Hokies a nice boost to start the recruiting season. Booker is slotted to play defensive end, while Robertson can play anywhere along the line, most likely defensive tackle.

Great Bridge (Chesapeake, VA) defensive tackle Carlton Powell committed to the Hokies in October, which is almost mid-way through recruiting season. Powell, who is a good athlete, played defensive line for the first time in his career this season. At 6-3, 290 pounds, Powell was athletic enough to play linebacker his junior season.

Virginia Tech ended its defensive line recruiting with a bang on Signing Day, reeling in Bethel (VA) defensive end Chris Ellis. Ellis, who is considered one of the top defensive ends in the country, was heavily recruited by UVa, Tennessee, and Maryland before deciding on Tech. Ellis did not have the great senior season he envisioned because he constantly faced double and sometimes even triple teams. His strength is his pass rushing ability, and no doubt the double teams he faced will help him on the next level.

Booker, Robertson, Powell, and Ellis fill a big need, as Virginia Tech will play four seniors and three juniors on the defensive line next season.

Getting the state�s top two linebacker prospects tends to do well for one�s defense, and this should be no exception. Phoebus (VA) linebacker Xavier Adibi and Western Branch (VA) linebacker Vince Hall could compete for early playing time � assuming Adibi, who weighs around 205, does not need to redshirt to gain weight. Adibi, who is a consensus All-American, anchored the state champion Phoebus Phantoms with 13.5 sacks and 31 tackles-for-loss. He possesses great speed to fly around the field and make plays. Vince Hall, who earned Virginia State Gatorade Player of the Year honors, uses his instincts to consistently make plays. Hall is not a big-time hitter, but he is a sure tackler, which is exactly what the Hokie D needs from the linebacker position. Worth noting is that Hall was second team All-State as a tight end.

In addition to the in-state standouts, Tech also landed Palm Beach Gardens linebacker Mike Brown. Brown moved to middle linebacker during his senior year, however, he is more effective on the edge, according to Palm Beach Gardens coach Tim Tharp. Brown could end up playing defensive end, where he made 115 tackles and had 22 sacks as a junior. The Hokie coaches will get him in camp and decide if they want him as an end or linebacker.

Centreville (Clifton, VA) LB Brett Warren completes the Tech linebacker recruits. Warren had an amazing 149 tackles from the linebacker position his senior year. Though not as highly touted as Adibi or Hall, Warren is a tenacious player and sure tackler.

With Virginia Tech not signing any linebackers in last year�s class, they needed to sign some good ones this year. Getting Adibi and Hall are outstanding gets, as both could play very early in their careers.

The Hokie coaching staff needed some good defensive backs. Start with, if there is such a thing, a prototypical rover in Pasadena City College (CA) transfer James Griffin. "Griff�s" recruitment was very interesting, with former teammate and current Hokie defensive tackle Jimmy Williams making the difference. At 6-2, 195 pounds, Griffin is fast and physical. His role model is former Oklahoma rover Roy Williams, who he tries to emulate on the field. He has already enrolled at Tech and could start next season. Griffin feels very comfortable about playing rover, calling it "a perfect fit" for his style of play.

Hargrave Military Academy�s Corey Gordon is a very intense and athletic player who could also see some playing time at free safety or rover as a true freshman. Gordon tallied 48 tackles and made two interceptions during his stint at Hargrave.

One of the more underrated defensive back prospects is HC Woodson�s (DC) Roland Minor. Woodson head coach Greg Fuller calls Minor "the most physical player on our team last year. He loves to block, and he is the best blocker on our team." As a senior, Minor picked off seven passes, returning three for touchdown�s.

Phoebus (VA) cornerback prospect DJ Parker will go to Fork Union before attending Virginia Tech. As a senior, Parker played quarterback and cornerback for the Phantoms. He has very good skills at cornerback, and a year at Fork Union will only help his development.

Tripp Carroll, James Griffin, Xavier Adibi, Chris Ellis, Vince Hall.

The Hokies got Hall, Adibi, and Ellis to help give them the edge in-state. Hall will almost certainly see playing time while Adibi, who may need to gain weight, and Ellis, who will be behind several defensive ends, may redshirt. Carroll loves to block, is good at it, and has the maturity to step in and play early. Griffin has the confidence, athletic ability, and talent to step in and contribute right away.

Being in Blacksburg for spring practice will benefit Griffin and Carroll greatly.

Prospects to keep an eye on are Mike Brown, Carlton Powell, Roland Minor, Kory Robertson, and Duane Brown. Although Mike Brown played middle linebacker as a senior, his true position is as an outside linebacker or defensive end. He plays with tremendous intensity and chases down plays from all over the field.

Carlton Powell�s past experience at linebacker and defensive end should help his quickness at defensive tackle. Powell is a very strong player who should become a good run stuffer.

Minor is a very physical player who brings leadership and intensity to the field. Reminiscent of Willie Pile in terms of physical play, who was also not as highly rated coming out of high school. Minor may end up playing cornerback for Virginia Tech.

Any lineman that stands 6-3, weighs 295 pounds, and runs a 4.9 40 has the potential to be a good college player, and Kory Robertson fits the bill. He is an awesome athlete who could move along the defensive line.

Duane Brown sat out the majority of his senior season with a leg injury, thus he did not get a chance to show off his athleticism. Brown, who plays basketball as well, can get downfield in a hurry and make the big catch.

QB Courtney Denson-Auburn
QB Bill Foran-Purdue
RB Rodney Kinlaw-PSU
RB Tyrone Moss-UM
WR Chase Anastasio-ND
WR Terrell Golden-PSU
WR Fontel Mines-UVA
OL Joel Holler-PSU
DE Vince Redd-UVA
DL John Shaw-PSU
CB Philip Brown-UVA
CB Ambrose Wooden- ND

The big ones here begin with John Shaw, a player the Hokies felt they had a really good chance at landing. Next are Ty Moss and Rodney Kinlaw, because the Hokies really wanted another talented back to spell Kevin Jones. Mike Imoh will have to step up next season. The Hokies also lost out on a number of wide receiver prospects, including Mines, Golden, and Anastasio � they were in the final two for all of those players (rumored to be in the final two for Anastasio). Philip Brown was a big loss in the sense that the Hokies could have used a shut-down type corner, similar to DeAngelo Hall.

Virginia Tech signed one of the best recruiting classes in school history. ESPN.com�s Tom Lemming ranked the Hokies' class as the number 23 in the country. They edged UVa in-state, taking three of the state�s top five players. The Hokies desperately needed defensive backs and linebackers and were able to bring in quality talent at both positions. After not landing any linebackers last year, the Hokies would have been in big trouble had they not landed any this year.

Tech was able to land several key offensive skill position players, including Cory Holt, Michael Hinton, and Kenny Lewis. Lewis could be very dangerous on screen passes, with his exceptional speed. They also beefed up the offensive line as well as the defensive line, two areas that are always crucial.

Overall, Virginia Tech filled its biggest need areas for next year with very talented and, more importantly, tough players.

Editor's Note: Don't forget to read the accompanying article: 2003 VT Recruits, By the Numbers.