New additions � Defensive tackle Emmanuel Dunbar, John Dunlap (from War Room Offense to WRD � Jumbo Athletes), Cornerback Brandon Flowers, Safety Donte Herrod

Updated (within past week) � Dunbar, Dunlap, Defensive ends Olu Hall, Brandon Holland, and Clint Sintim, Defensive tackle Brandon Setzer, Linebacker Jerod Mayo

2004 Losses to graduation: Nathaniel Adibi, Cols Colas

2004 Roster: Seniors Jim Davis and Bob Ruff; Junior Darryl Tapp; Sophomore Noland Burchette; Red-shirt freshman Chris Ellis.

Needs: The Hokies will likely add at least two defensive ends to the mix for 2004. Look for them to sign 2, maybe 3 defensive ends.

Daniel will visit Virginia Tech on the weekend of September 26^th. The Hokies received an official visit last year from Ely running back Tyrone Moss, who eventually signed with Miami (FL). Tech is recruiting Daniel as a "defensive lineman" according to Ely Head Coach Steve Davis. He could play either tackle or end. VT OFFER

Hall does not have a favorite among the schools that have offered, but UVA and VT were his top two in my last update. I believe it will come down to the two in-state schools.

Update: Hall comments on his favorites�

"Every team is wide open with me," said Hall. "I don't have a favorite. In terms of the in-state schools, I would say they are both equal. I have friends that go to both schools. It would be easier to fit in at Virginia Tech because I have more friends there. UVA is really reaching out to me, and putting a lot of effort into recruiting me. Don't get me wrong, Coach [Bud] Foster and Coach [Frank] Beamer are real cool. Let's just say UVA is putting a lot of effort into me."

Holland plays defensive end and tight end for Northside, though he could move to defensive tackle or even somewhere along the offensive line in college.

New Update: Holland will make an official visit to West Virginia. He is trying to set up official visits to Virginia, Clemson, Virginia Tech, and either Maryland or Tennessee. Virginia Tech remains the big favorite, as Brandon says� "Virginia Tech is still my favorite. I'm just so close with the coaches. We talk all the time and I can talk to them about things other than football. I want to take official visits to these other places to see the campuses. These are other options I want to check out."

The nephew of Virginia Tech AD Jim Weaver committed early to Pittsburgh, but has since opened up his recruitment. Miami is the team to beat, but it appears Mangold will take his official visits.

Another in-state battle shaping up here. Sintim is being recruited by Virginia Tech as a defensive end prospect. He possesses great strength, as he is a member of Gar-Field�s 1,000 pound club (combination bench, squat, and dead lift).

Update: Sintim named three favorites in his last update� "Every time I narrow down my list, something happens and I can't do it. I could see myself at Virginia, Virginia Tech, and Maryland. Those are my top three right now, but I am open. I'm not sure if I will take official visits to those schools because I want to use those for places not around here. Tennessee and Ohio State are some schools I'll probably take official visits to." He wants to make his decision around Signing Day.

Young plays for the same high school as current Hokie freshman linebacker Mike Brown. Young will be a tough get, especially from the Florida powers. He is being recruited by many, many top Division I-A programs.

2004 Losses to graduation: None

2004 Roster: Seniors Kevin Lewis, Isaac Montgomery, and Jason Lallis; Juniors Tim Sandidge and Jonathan Lewis; Red-Shirt Freshmen Barry Booker, Kory Robertson, and Carlton Powell.

Look for the Hokies to try and land a top defensive tackle prospect in this year�s class, taking one or two in total. Because of last year�s recruits, they will be able to hold out for a top target such as Marque Hall.

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Note: HD Woodson defensive lineman D. L. Lawrence may be added very soon. He is around 6-4, 300 pounds, and a very good athlete, according to Woodson defensive coordinator Wayne Johnson. Irvington (NJ) defensive tackle Nhemie Theodore is another name that may appear in coming weeks. I�m trying to catch up with Nhemie for an interview.

Schools: VT (OFFER, OV 01/26/04), OK (OFFER, OV 12/06/03), BC (OFFER), MIA (OFFER), FSU (OFFER), KSU (OFFER), FL (OFFER)

Dunbar said the following about Virginia Tech in an October 9^th update.

"I like Virginia Tech a lot," said Dunbar. "They've been on me for a long time. It seems like a good school for me...it would be a good fit for me. They are great but they are still a growing program. They have a lot of young players and I could help them. Being in the ACC helps."

In addition to Virginia Tech and Oklahoma, he mentioned Boston College as another official visit possibility. Emmanuel wants to take five visits before making a decision. Virginia Tech is recruiting him as a defensive lineman who could play either tackle or end.

Fanney may head to the SEC, with Alabama targeting him very seriously. Virginia Tech and Virginia are in there as well.

VT is in Marque�s top five per his latest update. He is also considering UNC, NC State, UVA, and Tennessee. He has not set any official visits. The mammoth Hall would be an awesome defensive tackle or could play offense as well.

Howard listed Tech as one of three schools he would like to visit in his latest article. Maryland and NC State were the others. Says he "wants to play in the ACC." Possesses great size and speed � Coach Martucci of Matawan says he runs like a "gazelle."

Brandon Setzer 6-4, 280 Hargrave Military Academy
Schools: NCSU (OFFER), UNC (OFFER), TN (OFFER), VT (OFFER),

Very impressive player according to the Hargrave coaches. Received offers from UNC and NCSU before heading to Hargrave to prep. Could play on either side of the ball.

Update: According to the Insiders.com, Setzer has received an offer from Tennessee in addition to VT, UNC, and NC State.

2004 Losses to graduation: Vegas Robinson

2004 Roster: Seniors Mikal Baaqee, Brandon Manning, and Chad Cooper; Juniors Jordan Trott, Blake Warren, and James Anderson; Sophomore Aaron Rouse; Red-shirt freshmen Mike Brown, Xavier Adibi, and Vince Hall, and true freshman Brett Warren.

Needs: Virginia Tech�s linebacker haul last year was one of the better ones in the country, as Adibi and Hall were two of the top five players in the state, and Brown�s stock soared towards the end of the recruiting process. Like with the defensive tackles, the Hokies will be able to wait on the better prospects until the end because of last year�s class, and they are in with some good ones.

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Bowman attends the same high school as current Hokie frosh tight end Duane Brown and current UVA frosh receiver Fontel Mines. He set his visit to Tech for "the first or second week in December." Bowman is playing everything close to the vest. Tennessee could be a big factor here, as Bowman has indicated he wants to visit the Vols along with VT, Purdue, and UVA. He has offers from those schools and four others including UNC.

Big linebacker in the mold of Jake Houseright, but bigger. D�Imperio does a good job anticipating a runner�s moves, and is a sure tackler. He could also play tight end, where he is a crushing blocker. Tech has been at or near the top of his list throughout the recruiting process.

Mayo seems to like UVA, VT, and Tennessee an awful lot, with Tennessee being third. He likes UVA�s 3-4 defense and new strength coach Evan Marcus, so UVA may have an edge right now.

Update: Mayo has set his visits to UVA, NC State, and Virginia Tech. See above.

Reevey is an intriguing prospect. As a senior at Highland Springs, he did not even start because Coach [Scott] Burton couldn�t get him on the team until the night before the season started. Reevey possesses outstanding athleticism and potential. He just needs to learn the game. Coach Shuman calls Maurice "another Darryl Blackstock."

Antonio Reynolds 6-4, 245, 4.65 Hargrave Military Academy
Schools: Miami, FL, NEB, OSU, TN, VT (OFFER)

Reynolds signed with the Miami Hurricanes out of high school, but could not start classes because of an academic snafu.

Indications are that Toal will take an official visit to Virginia Tech. He recently narrowed his list to the six listed above.

2004 Losses to graduation: Garnell Wilds, possibly DeAngelo Hall

2004 Roster: Seniors Vincent Fuller and Eric Green; Sophomore Brian McPherson; Red-shirt freshmen Mike Hinton and Roland Minor.

Sources say the staff is very high on both Hinton and Minor, which would give the staff good depth behind Fuller and Green. DJ Parker is attending Hargrave and will join Tech in the fall of 2004. They have secured a commitment from a very good prospect in Theodore Miller, and will try to sign one more.

Miller is the bigger cornerback prospect the Hokies may be moving towards. He is a tremendous athlete, as Woodson defensive coordinator Wayne Johnson calls him "probably the most athletic corner I've ever coached." Miller has a 38" vertical leap.

Rod really liked what he heard from Coach Willingham on his Notre Dame visit. That may be tough to overcome, as it sounded like he was close to committing on the trip. He will visit his other three favorites, however, so there is still a chance for the Wolverines, Cavs, and Hokies.

Brandon Flowers 6-1, 195, 4.5 Hargrave Military Academy

Schools: VT (OFFER), ???

Originally from Del Ray Beach, Florida, Flowers is listed as a defensive back on Hargrave�s web site. He has the size to play either corner or safety on the next level.

Says schools are looking at him as a "Chris Gamble type of player. They would just put me out there and let me make plays." Morgan suffered a dislocated right hip in a car accident before the start of the season, but his rehab is ahead of schedule and he expects to easily return to full strength by the end of the year.

Damian transferred to John I Leonard before the start of the season. Plays tailback and cornerback for head coach Terry Gough.

Watson can play either safety or cornerback. He says it�s between VT and Tennessee for his services.

Lose: Michael Crawford � Rover

2004 Roster:

Free Safety � Senior Mike Daniels; Junior Jimmy Williams; Red-shirt freshman Corey Gordon.

Rover � Senior James Griffin; Junior Cary Wade.

Tech needs to add at least one top prospect at rover, and Lake Taylor�s Purnell Sturdivant would be a perfect fit. Sturdivant plays linebacker in high school, but has the speed (4.4) to play rover. The Hokies will likely sign at least one rover and one free safety prospect.

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Schools: MICH ST (OFFER), NCSU, SYR (OFFER), PSU, TN, VT

Herrod plays along side current HD Woodson teammates and Virginia Tech commitments William Wall and Theodore Miller. He will likely play safety in college, which is the position he plays now in high school. He seems pretty open at the moment. I will find out more on his situation soon.

UVA is back under consideration with Hicks, however they still appear to have some ground to make up. When I asked Kent if UVA is back, he said "Yeah�sort of. I�m considering them again." Virginia Tech will get an official visit as will Maryland, Tennessee, and BC. It remains to be seen if UVA will or not.

Initially Purnell had stated he wanted to go out-of-state. Virginia Tech has been recruiting him hard and recently became the leader for his services.

Wheeler plays fullback and inside linebacker for Coach David Crist. He may attend Hargrave or Fork Union next year to further develop his football skills before getting to Virginia Tech. He could contribute at a number of different positions on the next level because of his size, strength, and athleticism. A good basketball player as well.

John Dunlap 6-3, 215, 4.55 Chaminade-Madonna Prep (Hollywood, FL)
Schools: MIA (OFFER) lead AUB (OFFER), FL (OFFER), FSU (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. Plays receiver and linebacker in high school.

Update: According to sources, Dunlap has been offered by Miami (FL). They have to be considered the leader right now, but I still will catch up with John for an update soon.

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Fagan could be a dangerous receiver for whichever team he signs with. He�s a good cornerback too. He really likes VT and could commit on his visit, whenever he takes it.

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