Last week, we went over VT's defensive needs and targets. This week, it's the offense. Here's the rundown of what Tech needs and who's being targeted by the Hokies.

One note of clarification: in the class listings, redshirts are not noted (a redshirt sophomore is referred to as a sophomore, for example) -- the exception is that true freshmen who are currently redshirting will be referred to as redshirt freshmen for next year's depth chart. Walk-on players generally are not included in depth projections, just scholarship players.

Lose: None

2004 Roster (Note: I am listing Chris Clifton as a wide receiver): Senior Bryan Randall; Sophomore Marcus Vick; Freshman Cory Holt

Needs: In Cory Holt, Virginia Tech has a very talented prospect coming in for next season. With a commitment from Sean Glennon, the top quarterback prospect in the state of Virginia, the Hokies will concentrate on Jordan Steffy. They will absolutely take him if he chooses VT, but if he chooses to go elsewhere, they probably will not take another quarterback. Brent Schaeffer could be a possibility if he shows more interest in the Hokies, but he is a long shot right now. TJ Mitchell could be a sleeper prospect.

Terry "TJ" Mitchell, 6-3, 185 Landstown (Virginia Beach, VA)
Schools: SYR (No Offer), VT (No Offer), WVU (No Offer)

Mitchell is a sleeper for the 2004 class. Coach Beatty says there is an above average chance he lands at prep school next season. In that case, he could receive more interest from a lot more programs. Virginia Tech has contacted him since the start of September.

Schaeffer�s interest in VT appears mild at this point. If Steffy commits, look for VT to stop recruiting Schaeffer. If Steffy commits elsewhere and Schaeffer starts to show more interest, VT would without a doubt stay involved. Has drawn comparisons to Mike Vick.

Virginia Tech, Maryland, and Michigan State remain the top three here. Purdue will receive an official visit on October 11^th, however the Boilermakers are on the outside looking in. Virginia Tech (undecided), Michigan State (this weekend), and Clemson will receive official visits. Maryland may not, but that is only because Steffy has been to College Park on six different occasions.

"I�ve been there so much that I think I may know all there is to know," said Steffy. "I will use my visits on schools I don�t know so much about."

There is no leader among Steffy�s top three. Virginia Tech Quarterbacks Coach Kevin Rogers certainly has been impressive thus far, and is one of the reasons the Hokies have a great shot at one of the top dual-threat QBs in the country.

"Virginia Tech has the best quarterbacks coach," said Steffy. "Other schools that I've visited have had nothing but good things to say about Coach Rogers, and that's really impressive to me."

Lose: None (Although there is a good chance Kevin Jones turns pro if his 2003 success continues.)

2004 Roster: Senior Kevin Jones; Juniors Cedric Humes, Mike Imoh, and John Candelas

Needs: Virginia Tech has to sign at least one, maybe two very good tailback prospects in the 2004 class. Antwain Carey and Brandon Ore are very likely possibilities. I say Virginia Tech takes both players if they can get them. Ore is a very underrated prospect.

NCSU and Michigan are tied for the lead, according to Bell, following his official visit to Raleigh. He will take all five visits and make a decision soon after the final visit. Though the Hokies trail, Bell likes VT�s coaching staff and how they have stuck by him despite his knee injury.

"They (Virginia Tech) said if I signed with them, they would still take me even if I couldn't play this season. I like that," said Bell.

Virginia Tech has been the "only school" to have contact with Carey since September 1^st. NC State may have backed off slightly because of its position with George Bell. Also, Hargrave RB Darrell Blackman will be a frosh next year for the �Pack. The Hokies have to be considered the strong favorite to land the talented running back. Almost fully healed from a foot fracture, Carey hopes to return to the field this weekend.

Jones could play either tailback or fullback on the next level. He says every school is recruiting him as a tailback. Listed VT along with BC, Nebraska, Virginia, and Ohio State as his top five in an October 1^st update. He hopes to make it down for the Virginia Tech/Miami (FL) contest in November.

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

I haven�t spoken with Brandon recently, however he did name VT as his leader in a July 17^th update. I�m still hearing from sources that VT is in the lead. The Hokies are the only school to officially offer. UNC, UVA, PSU, and TN are heavily recruiting him.

Ore has led Indian River to a 3-0 start. He rushed for 113 yards and three touchdowns in just three quarters in Indian Rivers' second win of the season, a 31-0 rout of Booker T Washington. Last Saturday, he had 11 carries for 92 yards in a 50-6 win over Great Bridge.

Adrian Peterson 6-3, 210, 4.4 Palestine HS (TX)

MIA (OFFER), TX A&M (OFFER), OKL (OFFER), TX (OFFER), UCLA (OFFER, OV 10/03/03 according to Rivals.com), lead VT (OFFER per Rivals), others.

Peterson is the top player on the country on many lists. Currently, VT is a long shot. He has shown mild interest in the program, but it will be very tough to steal him away from the first four (and maybe UCLA) mentioned above.

Lose: Doug Easlick and Steve Canter

2004 Roster: Junior Jeff King; redshirt freshman John Kinzer; Walk-On Junior Mike Perlozzo, Sophomore Jesse Allen, and redshirt freshman Carlton Weatherford.

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

Virginia Tech leads right now for the versatile Green, who is being recruited as a FB/LB by the Hokies. "I just like the coaching staff and the tradition they have," said Green in a September 26^th update.

Lose: Chris Shreve and Ernest Wilford

2004 Roster: SE�s: Junior Chris Clifton; Sophomores Michael Malone, Brenden Hill, and Chris Caesar. FL�s: Senior Richard Johnson; Junior Justin Hamilton; Sophomores Robert Parker and David Clowney; redshirt freshman Josh Hyman.

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. Look for the Hokies to target at least two receivers prospects, and they would probably like to add a big receiver to replace Ernest Wilford.

The above four schools are the only ones that have called since September 1^st. Colorado offered early but "appears to be backing off some" according to Coach Chris Beatty. Beatty believes that teams are missing out on a great prospect.

"I think teams are too caught up in getting the 6-3 guys with 4.3 speed�schools want the Randy Moss/Terrell Owens size receiver," said Beatty. "They look for players like that and miss out on really good players like Jeremy."

Grimes committed early to Michigan State, but has since reneged and heavily favors Florida State according to reports. A long-shot due to the interest in FSU.

John Dunlap 6-3, 215, 4.55 Chaminade-Madonna Prep (Hollywood, FL)
Schools: FL (OFFER), FSU (OFFER), MIA (No Offer) lead AUB (OFFER), IOWA (No Offer, OV 10/24/03), MICH (OFFER), NCSU (OFFER), UNC (OFFER), VT (OFFER)

According to Rivals.com, Miami, Florida, and FSU are the favorites. It will be tough to get Dunlap out of Florida. He is a great looking prospect � a very strong receiver.

Harper is the big receiver Virginia Tech would love to have. He is big and he is athletic. He wants to make his decision by January of 2004 so he can enroll in the spring semester. Virginia Tech is in very good shape.

McPhearson set up an official visit to Maryland on December 12^th. He wants to take all five visits before deciding, however is unsure who will get the remaining four. In a match-up versus Doug Dutch of Gonzaga, McPhearson made six catches for 121 yards and scored two touchdowns in a 17-0 victory.

"It was fun playing against people who are well known for being very good," said McPhearson. "[The match-up against Dutch] definitely did pump me up."

Pitts is a big receiver with very good speed for his size. "Not many people catch him from behind," says John I Leonard Head Coach Terry Gough.

In his last update (September 25^th), Royal stated he has set an official visit to Tennessee for December 12^th. He lists no leaders at this point, though he mentioned Tennessee, Virginia Tech, and Marshall would all receive official visits. He wants to take all five before making a decision.

Lose: Keith Willis

2004 Roster: Senior Jared Mazzetta; Junior Jeff King; Redshirt Freshman Duane Brown

Needs: Virginia Tech could use one more tight end prospect in the program. 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.

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. His team defeated a tough Ely squad 41-20 last week. The 6-4, 205 pound Ledbetter caught a 77-yard touchdown pass in the victory.

Lose: C Jake Grove and OG Jacob Gibson

2004 Roster:
C � Senior Robert Ramsey; Redshirt Freshman Tripp Carroll; Sophomores Andrew Fleck, and Mike Parham.
OG � Senior James Miller; Juniors Will Montgomery and Jason Murphy; Sophomore Brandon Gore, Danny McGrath (RS this year), Mike Parham, and Andrew Fleck; Redshirt Freshman Matt Welsh.
OT � Senior Jon Dunn; Juniors Jimmy Martin, Chris Pannell, and Reggie Butler; Sophomore Brandon Frye; Freshman Nick Marshman.

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.

Virginia Tech recently entered the picture, offering Hart in the month of September. Hart is listing the above schools in no particular order and hopes to narrow his list by Thanksgiving.

The son of Fork Union Post Grad Head Football Coach John Shuman, Ryan is being recruited as a center by Virginia Tech. He plays center for Fork Union Undergraduate.

Trautwein is pretty open between the above schools. UVA has come in recently and extended a scholarship offer. VT has been in his top list for quite awhile. Coach Cavanaugh is the lead recruiter for the mammoth OL prospect.

In his most recent TSL update on September 5^th, Zuttah claimed that the two top Division I-A programs in Virginia were going opposite directions.

"Virginia Tech is probably somewhere near the top, but Virginia might be down the list a little bit," said Zuttah. "I don�t have a specific reason�I just don�t feel like Virginia may be the place for me."

I hope to catch up with Jeremy for an update in the coming days and see if he has narrowed his list.

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