The big weekend is here for Virginia Tech fans – the Miami game. With an opportunity to get right back in the race for a BCS bowl game, the atmosphere promises to be very intense. Many top recruits will be on campus this weekend, including DaJuan Morgan, Kent Hicks, and Rod Council on official visits, and Andrew Bowman, Olu Hall, Brandon Holland, Clint Sintim, and possibly Purnell Sturdivant in town as unofficial visitors. And those are just the defensive targets.

The Hokies have not received any commitments on the defensive side of the ball since the last War Room, however they do look very strong for a number of prospects. With the amount of talent the staff brought in last year, Virginia Tech can really wait on some of these top prospects.

In the following article, look for the newest updates and info, indented and marked Latest Info. Items of interest and previous information have now been put under players' names in notes titled "At a glance."

Defensive tackle J L Lawrence

2004 Losses to Eligibility: 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.

At a glance: Wall was the first player to commit to Virginia Tech on the defensive side of the ball. He possesses the quickness, size, and athleticism similar to great defensive ends of the past.

At a glance: 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.

At a glance: The nephew of Virginia Tech AD Jim Weaver committed early to Pittsburgh, but has since opened up his recruitment.

Latest Info: Three schools currently stand out for Sintim, per his October 20^th update… "Right now, Virginia Tech, Maryland, and Virginia are the schools I can definitely see myself going to," said Sintim. "I want to visit Virginia, Maryland, Virginia Tech, Tennessee, and Ohio State. I have offers from all of those schools except for Ohio State."

He knows which schools he will make official visits to, and has set a date to Virginia for December 12^th. No other dates have been set, however he wants to make all of his visits before deciding.

At a glance: Young plays for the same high school as current Hokie freshman linebacker Mike Brown. A slender defensive end, Young could move to linebacker on the next level if he can not add enough weight to stay on the defensive line.

2004 Losses to eligibility: 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: 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 01/23/04), OK (OFFER, OV 12/06/03), BC (OFFER), MIA (OFFER), FSU (OFFER), KSU (OFFER), FL (OFFER)

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

Latest Info: Howard says he is "definitely going to visit Virginia Tech" in his October 23^rd update. He added… "I'm going to take all five trips," said Howard. "I'm not just going to take officials, I'm going to take some unofficial visits too. Right now, I want to take official visits to Virginia Tech, Miami (FL), NC State, Michigan State, and Rutgers. Those aren't set, but the ones I'm thinking about right now."

J L Lawrence 6-5, 300 HD Woodson (Washington, DC)

Schools: MAR (no offer), MSU (OFFER), NCSU (no offer), OHIO (no offer) TEMP (OFFER), VT (no offer)

At a glance: Attends the same school as VT cornerback Roland Minor and 2004 commitments William Wall and Theodore Miller.

Latest Info: HD Woodson defensive coordinator Wayne Johnson said the following about JL Lawrence… "He’s a sleeper a lot of people didn’t know about," said Johnson. "He’s 6-5, he’s very lean at 300 pounds, and he’s only 17. He absolutely dominates the line. He has good moves he uses throughout the games."

Lawrence, who carries a 3.57 grade point average, is awaiting his scores from his first SAT. Virginia Tech is evaluating film and may decide shortly whether or not to offer this true sleeper prospect.

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

At a glance: Received offers from UNC and NCSU before heading to Hargrave to prep. Could play on either side of the ball.

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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Latest Info: Bowman attends the same high school as current Hokie frosh tight end Duane Brown and current UVA frosh receiver Fontel Mines. Three schools stood out in his October 20^th update… "Virginia, Virginia Tech, and Tennessee are my top three," said Bowman. "UNC and Purdue are still in the picture and still high up there. I guess you could say the reasons I like those three the best are the same for each of them. I'm comfortable with all of the coaches. I feel like I can talk to them all about anything."

Andrew will be in attendance for the Miami (FL) game on an unofficial visit.

At a glance: Big linebacker in the mold of Jake Houseright, but bigger. He brings a mean streak to the field. 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.

Latest Info: "My two favorites are Virginia Tech and Michigan State," said the 6-5, 230 pound D'Imperio. "Coach Cavanaugh from Virginia Tech calls all the time. I like the way he and the coach from Michigan State talk to me. Coach Cavanaugh told me that if I don’t want to talk some days, just don’t answer the phone. I can tell he’s really good about it. Other coaches try and push me into visiting or something, but Michigan State and Virginia Tech kind of let me make up my mind about them by myself."

At a glance: UVA has the edge right now for Mayo, who said the following in his October 14^th update…"My top five is still the same - Virginia, Virginia Tech, NC State, Purdue, and Tennessee," said Mayo. "If I had to decide today though, it would be Virginia."

At a glance: As a senior at Highland Springs, Reevey 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.

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

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

2004 Losses to graduation: Garnell Wilds, possibly DeAngelo Hall (early departure)

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

Needs: 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.

At a glance: 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.

At a glance: Notre Dame still has the edge here following Council's visit to UVa.

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

Schools: VT (OFFER), TN (OFFER)

At a glance: 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.

At a glance: 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.

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

At a glance: Watson can play either safety or cornerback. He says it’s between VT and Tennessee for his services.

2004 Losses to Graduation: 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.

Needs: 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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Latest Info: According to Rivals.com, Harold committed to Iowa on his official visit this weekend, however Virginia Tech and Tennessee remain possibilities to receive official visits.

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

At a glance: 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.

Latest Info: Hicks, who is being recruited as a free safety by most schools, made an official visit to Virginia for the weekend of October 18^th. He enjoyed his visit, saying… "It went pretty good. It gave me a chance to get to know the players better and talk to the coaches one on one. [UVA senior cornerback] Jamaine Winborne was my host. He was telling me that the coaches are really good and they are fair about playing time. With their situation [at safety], I think I might be able to play right away."

According to Kent, playing time may make the difference in his final decision. He takes an official visit to Virginia Tech this weekend for the Miami (FL) game. He may not need to make all of his visits before deciding… "My top five is Maryland, Tennessee, Virginia Tech, Virginia, and Boston College," said Hicks. "Right now, all of the schools I’m looking at are even. There’s a possibility [I’ll take all five visits], but I don’t think so."

At a glance: 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) leads AUB (OFFER), FL (OFFER), FSU (OFFER), IOWA (No Offer, OV 10/24/03), MICH (OFFER), NCSU (OFFER), UNC (OFFER), VT (OFFER)

Latest Info: 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.

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At a glance: 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.

Brandon Daniel

Kent Hicks, DaJuan Morgan, Rod Council

Unofficial Visitors: Andrew Bowman, Olu Hall, Brandon Holland, Clint Sintim, Purnell Sturdivant (?)

Andrew Bowman, Mike Mangold (per Rivals)

Emmanuel Dunbar, Jerod Mayo

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