2005 Recruiting War Room #2: Defense
by Chris Horne, 6/29/04

Virginia Tech Recruiting War Room – Defense

Comments:

Look for Virginia Tech to take about 18-22 players in this year’s class, which is similar to most other classes. When considering the needs on defense, defensive end is the first place to start. Following this year, Tech will have three scholarship defensive ends for 2005. Of course there could be some walk-ons who earn scholarships and significant playing time, however this is where it stands right now.

Tech already has one talented end in the fold in 2004 commitment William Wall, who will attend Hargrave Military Academy for one year. He has re-committed to the Hokies and will count towards the 2005 class, since he never signed a letter of intent (LOI) in 2004. Defensive end may be the top priority in the 2005 class, and re-confirming Wall is a good start.

Safety may be the second-biggest need in this year’s class. Virginia Tech landed the likely top target for free safety from George Washington (Danville, VA), Cameron Martin. He is a major pick-up for Tech and goes a long way towards filling the need. Landing one more safety and at least one rover prospect would be a nice way to finish the safety recruiting.

Last year’s class contained four cornerback signees, all of whom show excellent talent. There was some question regarding the most highly rated of the cornerback signees, Rod Council, and whether or not he would still have a scholarship. It has been learned that he will, barring any unforeseen issues, attend Virginia Tech after resolving his off-the-field issues. It’s not official yet, but it is close. With the four cornerbacks in the fold from last year, Tech would probably still like to land at least one more top cornerback to continue to add to the impressive youth at the position.

The linebacker position is somewhat of a priority, as landing at least two more top linebacker targets would provide Tech with even more young talent. Losing 2003 signee Mike Brown, who was dismissed from the team for disciplinary reasons, did not help the situation either. Tech has landed one top linebacker target in Kellam (VA) middle linebacker Demetrius Taylor. With Taylor’s commitment, Tech can focus on their other top targets at the position.

The following players have received scholarship offers from and have serious interest in Virginia Tech…

  • DE’s: Melvin Alaeze, Everette Brown, Jeffrey Fitzgerald, Steven Friday, Hivera Green, Barry Turner, Doug Worthington
  • DT’s: Joseph Johnson, Rudy Odom, Kade Weston
  • LB’s: Brian Cushing, Charles Gamble, Darryl Gresham, Josh Miller, Derek Nicholson, Deveon Simmons
  • CB’s: Brandon Ghee, Jamar Jackson, Malcolm Jenkins?, Jamari McCullough, Danny Oquendo, Sean Smalls?
  • S’s/Rovers: Antonio Wardlow, Andre Pope (possible cornerback)
  • Ath’s/JAth’s: Montario Hardesty, Willie Harriott, Victor Harris, Marques Slocum

DEFENSIVE ENDS

2005 Losses to Eligibility

2005 Roster

2005 Commitments

Jim Davis
Bob Ruff

Sr. Jordan Trott
Sr. Darryl Tapp
Jr. Noland Burchette
Soph. Chris Ellis.

William Wall

Comments: Defensive end is probably the top need position for the 2005 class. Tech missed out on 2004 targets Olu Hall, Mike Mangold, and Clint Sintim, which made the need even more pressing this year. One of the top targets of the 2005 class, Antonio Appleby, surprised many by choosing UVa when Tech was thought to be the favorite.

For 2005, Tech already has a commitment from William Wall. Wall is big and athletic and will get more experience in playing for Coach Prunty at Hargrave Military Academy. Look for the Hokies to try and land at least two more prospects. They are involved with several blue-chip targets from different areas.

Targets: Melvin Alaeze, Everette Brown, Jeffrey Fitzgerald, Steven Friday, Hivera Green, Barry Turner, Doug Worthington

 

DE Commitments – 1

William Wall 6-3, 258, 4.6 HD Woodson (Washington, DC)

The Skinny: Wall committed to Tech for the 2004 class, however did not qualify academically. He will attend Hargrave Military Academy for one year beginning late summer/fall of this year and plans on signing with Tech in February of 2005. Wall remains very much committed to Virginia Tech.

Wall is a defensive end with excellent athleticism for a player his size. He played wide receiver for HD Woodson as well, a testament to his athletic prowess. Look for him to play defensive end for Coach Prunty at Hargrave as well.

DE Top Targets

Melvin Alaeze, 6-2, 270, 4.7, Randallstown (Randallstown, MD)
Schools: BC (OFFER), FL (OFFER), MD (OFFER), MIA (OFFER), MICH (OFFER), OSU (OFFER), PSU (OFFER), USC (OFFER), VT (OFFER)

The Skinny: Alaeze claimed no favorites in a June 16th update. He had this to say about Virginia Tech.

“Virginia Tech is a good school,” Alaeze said. “I don’t know too much specifically…just that it’s Virginia Tech. They have a good program. They have good academics. I’ve heard there it’s a quiet environment and there isn’t much going on, which is probably a good thing for me. The coaches are good.”

Alaeze said the following about his list of schools. He holds over twenty offers.

“Right now I’ll say all of the schools are borderline,” Alaeze said. “I’ll wait to see how the summer goes and I’ll narrow down my list my list when my season starts. Right now I plan on taking all five official visits. I haven’t made any decisions as to who I’ll visit.”

With as many top schools as he has on his list, this will be a tough recruiting race. Tech is in solid shape right now.

Everette Brown, 6-3, 230, 4.6, Beddingfield (Wilson, NC)
Schools: DUKE (OFFER, CAMP), FSU (OFFER), KAN ST (OFFER), MD (OFFER), NCSU (OFFER, CAMP), PSU (OFFER), TN (OFFER), UNC (OFFER, CAMP), VT (OFFER, CAMP), WF (OFFER)

The Skinny: Brown rose quickly on recruiting charts during the Spring. He has easily received over ten scholarship offers. When we last spoke on May 11th, Brown said he will make a slew of unofficial visits this summer in hopes of narrowing his list. One of those visits may be to the July 10th Virginia Tech football camp.

“I’m really looking forward to the campus trips this summer,” Brown said in his May 11th update. “I’m looking at going to [North] Carolina, Duke’s one day camp, team camp at NC State, Wake Forest, Florida State – I just got an offer from them…that was a big one, I’m going down to a one day camp at Virginia Tech, and I might visit Penn State and Tennessee. These schools that I’ve mentioned, those are just the schools that stick out right now as ones I’m highly interested in. I don’t have any favorites right now.

“After this summer, I’ll be able to know when I might have a decision. Depending on how everything goes, I could decide at the beginning or middle of my season.”

Jeffrey Fitzgerald, 6-4, 250, 4.8, Hermitage (Richmond, VA)
Schools: BC (OFFER), FL (OFFER), MD (OFFER, CAMP), NEB (OFFER), PSU (OFFER, CAMP), UNC (OFFER), UVA (OFFER, CAMP), VT (OFFER, CAMP), WVU (OFFER)

The Skinny: Fitzgerald may be the top defensive end prospect in the state of Virginia. He holds 12 scholarship offers and does not appear to have narrowed his list.

"Not as of right now," Fitzgerald said on June 22nd when asked if he had any favorites. "I'm going to focus this summer on narrowing my list to five or six schools before the start of my senior year. I'm not sure if I can do that, but we'll see. I do want to take some official visits. I'm not going to rush my decision."

Fitzgerald will visit VT for the July 10th summer camp. It will only be his second visit to Blacksburg. The first was for the Spring game earlier this year.

"I haven't seen Virginia Tech as much as I have Virginia,” Fitzgerald said. “I've only been down there once. One strength for them is that they joined the ACC. When I went down there for the Spring game they seemed to have good fan support. I didn't expect that many people at a Spring game."

Although there were rumors recently floating around that Fitzgerald would commit to UVa, Fitzgerald seems genuinely open and Tech appears to have as good a shot as any.

Steven Friday, 6-5, 215, 4.7, Phoebus (Hampton, VA)
Schools: MD (no offer), SYR (OFFER), UNC (OFFER), UVA (OFFER), VT (OFFER)

The Skinny: Though he may have a slender build, Friday shows competitiveness, toughness, and good athleticism. Once he adds bulk on the next level, he should become a good defensive end or even outside linebacker, which is the position some schools are recruiting him to play.

Though he was quiet about naming any favorite schools when we last spoke on (June 9th), sources say Virginia Tech is in strong position here.

“No, not yet,” Friday said when asked if he had any favorites. “I’m not really sure when I’ll make a decision. I do think I’ll take some official visits. I’ll probably decide a little later, but I’m not sure. I haven’t really thought about it.”

Hivera Green, 6-5, 255, 4.8, Conway (Conway, SC)
Schools: AUB (OFFER), CLEM (OFFER), MICH (OFFER), MISS ST (OFFER), S CAR (OFFER), SYR (OFFER), TN (OFFER), VT (OFFER)

The Skinny: I have yet to reach Green for an update. Michigan may be tough to beat here, and Virginia Tech has to get him up for a visit to have any chance.

Barry Turner, 6-3, 230, 4.6, Brentwood Academy (Nashville, TN)
Schools: AUB (OFFER), FL (OFFER), MIA (OFFER), NEB (no offer), TN (OFFER), VAND (OFFER), VT (OFFER)

The Skinny: Turner’s coach says Turner reminds him of former Virginia Tech great Corey Moore. Turner’s offer sheet is certainly very impressive. It may be tough to get him out of the SEC and Miami has offered as well, however Tech is in the picture right now.

Doug Worthington, 6-7, 250, 4.75, St. Francis (Athol Springs, NY)
Schools: BAMA (OFFER), BC (OFFER), MD (OFFER), OSU (OFFER, CAMP), PSU (OFFER), SYR (OFFER), TN (OFFER), UNC (OFFER, CAMP), UVA (OFFER), VT (OFFER)

The Skinny: Worthington is one of the top prospects in New York. 17 schools have officially offered, with Virginia Tech being one of the first to do so. He has serious interest in the Hokies but has not visited.

“Virginia Tech has a great program,” Worthington said in today’s update. “I feel like I could help the program a lot. Coach Rogers told me they are really interested. He asked me to tell them if I wasn’t interested in them, so they could move on if I wasn’t. I told them I’m interested.”

Worthington is not sure when or if he will make an unofficial visit to Tech this summer.

“I know I’m going to UNC – I’ve already bought the tickets, Boston College, and Connecticut this summer,” Worthington said. “I still have some open dates in there, so we’ll see where I go with those.”

Worthington stated three schools very likely to receive official visits.

“I’m going to take all five official visits,” Worthington said. “I want to go to Ohio State, Tennessee, and Alabama. All of these schools have shown me great interest and I like the background of each school.”

Tech is included in the teams being considered for the final two official visit spots.

“Virginia Tech, Wisconsin, and LSU are some teams I’m considering for other official visits,” Worthington said. “I still want to see Tech before I can decide if they are still on my list or if I will take them off.”

Worthington’s interest in Virginia Tech appears genuine, however it’s unclear when or if he will make a visit to Tech (either officially or unofficially). Should know more in terms of where Tech really stands later this summer.

 

DEFENSIVE TACKLES

2005 Losses to Eligibility

2005 Roster

2005 Commitments

Jason Lallis
Kevin Lewis
Isaac Montgomery

Sr. Tim Sandidge
Sr. Jonathan Lewis
Soph. Barry Booker
Soph. Kory Robertson
Soph. Carlton Powell
RS Fr. or Soph. Carl Howard

None

Needs: Virginia Tech landed one of its top defensive tackle targets in last year’s class in Carl Howard. Howard is a great addition to an already solid young foundation of Booker, Robertson, and Powell. Sandidge and Jonathan Lewis have one more year after this year as well, so the Hokies are looking good for this year and next. That being said, Virginia Tech would probably like to land at least one top defensive tackle target in this year’s class. With the depth they already have on board, the Hokies have the luxury of going after only their top targets.

Targets: Joseph Johnson, Rudy Odom, Kade Weston

 

DT Commitments

None

DT Targets

Joseph Johnson, 6-2, 330, Varina (Richmond, VA)
Schools: CLEM (no offer, CAMP), MICH (no offer), NEB (no offer), UNC (no offer), UVA (OFFER, CAMP), VT (OFFER, CAMP)

The Skinny: Johnson appears open to any other schools who will offer him. It looks like he will be deliberate in his recruiting process and may not decide until after his senior season. In a June 10th update, Joe-Joe said Virginia and Virginia Tech are the frontrunners but maybe only because of familiarity.

“I’d put those schools first, but that's because those are pretty much the only schools I’ve visited,” Johnson said. “I can’t say I have any favorites because I haven’t visited any of the other schools who are recruiting me. I need to do that before I can say anything. I could go to any school and adapt, I just need to find the school that's best for me.”

UVa and Virginia Tech are his only two offers.

“UVa and Virginia Tech have offered for sure,” Johnson said. “A lot of other schools tell me they want to see me at camp. Nebraska, Michigan, Marshall, NC State, Maryland, Penn State, Clemson, Syracuse, and some others are looking at me. I can’t remember all of them though.”

Johnson said he would like to make a decision sometime after his senior season.

Rudy Odom, 6-5, 260, 5.04, Fontainebleau (Mandeville, LA)
Schools: AUB (OFFER, CAMP), BAY (OFFER), LSU (no offer, CAMP), MISS (OFFER, CAMP), S CAR (OFFER), S MISS (OFFER, CAMP), OK ST (OFFER, CAMP) TT (OFFER), UCLA (OFFER), VT (no offer, CAMP)

The Skinny: Though VT hasn’t offered yet, it appears they may be very close judging by what Fontainebleau Head Coach Joe Favre told me late last week.

"Virginia Tech is very excited about him coming to their camp in July," Favre said.

Stay tuned for Odom’s reaction following the July 10th camp.

Kade Weston, 6-6, 312, Red Bank (Red Bank, NJ)
Schools: BC (OFFER), FL (OFFER), FSU (OFFER), MIA (OFFER), OSU (OFFER), OKL (OFFER), TN (OFFER), UVA (OFFER), VT (OFFER)

The Skinny: Weston appears to be very wide open right now. One of the top defensive tackles in the country, Weston has yet to narrow his long list of schools.

 

LINEBACKERS

2005 Losses to Eligibility

2005 Roster

2005 Commitments

Mikal Baaqee
Brandon Manning
Chad Cooper

Sr. Blake Warren
Sr. James Anderson
Jr. Aaron Rouse
Soph. Xavier Adibi
Soph. Vince Hall
RS Fr. or Soph. Andrew Bowman
RS Fr. or Soph. Maurice Reevey
RS Fr. or Soph. Brett Warren

Demetrius Taylor

Needs: Sources say Virginia Tech would like to land at least two linebackers in every class, and this year is no exception. Tech already has landed one top in-state in Demetrius Taylor. They are in good shape with Deveon Simmons, however Simmons may be more of a natural at the rover position. Tech has excellent depth on the roster with young studs Adibi, Hall, and Bowman. Reevey may play linebacker or he could be moved to offense. If he’s on defense, he has excellent athletic potential.

Look for Tech to try and corral one more top linebacker prospect.

Targets: Brian Cushing, Charles Gamble, Darryl Gresham, Jerome Hayes, Josh Miller, Derek Nicholson, Deveon Simmons

 

LB Commitments – 1

Demetrius Taylor, 6-1, 220, 4.5 Floyd Kellam (Virginia Beach, VA)

The Skinny: Demetrius Taylor is very fast with solid size. In addition, Taylor is a strong player.

“He can run like no one his size,” Kellam Head Coach Chris DeWitt said in an earlier interview. “He’s our fastest sprinter. He runs a 4.5, but we’ve timed him under 4.5 before. He can bench press 355 pounds, and his squat is huge. We do hang-cleans, and Demetrius can hang-clean 325 pounds, which is our highest ever.”

As good of a season as he had last year as a two-way player, an opposing coach indicated Taylor was very dominating as a sophomore. That year, Taylor only played linebacker.

“Taylor was a good running back, but he’s an even better linebacker,” the opposing coach said. “He was awesome when he only played linebacker his sophomore season.”

Taylor, who was receiving interest programs including Michigan and Notre Dame, chose Tech over an offer from Duke. He was recruited as a Mike linebacker.

LB Top Targets

Brian Cushing, 6-3, 231, 4.49, Bergen Cathoic (Oradell, NJ)
Schools: BC (OFFER), FSU (OFFER), MICH (OFFER), ND (OFFER), MIA (OFFER), OSU (OFFER), PSU (OFFER), USC (OFFER), UVA (OFFER), VT (OFFER)

The Skinny: In an update last week, Cushing said “yes” when asked if Virginia Tech is in serious contention. It does look like Virginia Tech has some work to do in order to catch up in this recruiting race. Cushing mentioned Virginia, Miami, Southern California, Penn State, Boston College, and Ohio State as schools “high” on his list right now.

Charles Gamble, 6-3, 210, 4.4, Southern (Durham, NC)
Schools: FSU, MIA, TN, UNC, UVA (OFFER), VT

The Skinny: There have been no updates regarding Gamble, who is one of the top overall prospects in the state of North Carolina. His coach does not release his players lists of scholarship offers and Gamble is no exception. Tech was involved at last check.

Darryl Gresham, 6-3, 230, 4.68, William Fleming (Roanoke, VA)
Schools: CLEM (OFFER), FL (OFFER), FSU (no offer), GA (no offer), MD (OFFER), NCSU (no offer), NEB (OFFER), UNC (OFFER), UVA (OFFER), VT (OFFER)

The Skinny: Gresham has been tough to reach as of late. On May 18th, he said he had no favorites.

“Right now, I don’t really have any favorites,” Gresham said. “I’m trying to learn as much as I can about every school. Once I learn as much as I can, then I can narrow things down.”

I hope to reach Darryl very soon for a more recent update. Tech was one of the first to offer Gresham, who says graduation rates will be an important issue in his decision.

“I want to go somewhere where I will graduate,” Gresham said. “I want a good education. I want to go somewhere that really wants me. I want a staff that I can trust and I want to go where there are players I can get along with. And I don’t just want to be a player. I want to be a student-athlete.”

Jerome Hayes, 6-2, 225, 4.6, Bayonne (Bayonne, NJ)
Schools: BC (OFFER), MD (OFFER), MIA (OFFER), MICH (OFFER), PSU (OFFER), RUT (OFFER), SYR (OFFER), UVA (OFFER), VT (OFFER), WVU (OFFER)

The Skinny: Virginia Tech has recently offered Hayes, who is one of the top prospects in the state of New Jersey. He hopes to narrow his list to around 10 schools (per his head coach) later this summer. Hayes boasts about 25 scholarship offers right now.

Josh Miller, 5-11, 215, 4.5, Manning (Manning, SC)
Schools: CLEM (OFFER), FSU (OFFER), GA (no offer), S CAR (OFFER), TN (no offer), UNC (OFFER), VT (OFFER)

The Skinny: Miller is a new name on the list. I will confirm his offer and get an update on him soon. He plays running back and linebacker in high school and is being recruited for both sides of the ball on the next level.

Derek Nicholson, 6-2, 228, 4.55, Mount Tabor (Winston-Salem, NC)
Schools: CLEM (OFFER), FSU (OFFER), GA (OFFER), MIA (OFFER), MICH (OFFER), NCSU (OFFER), OKL (OFFER), TN (OFFER), UNC (OFFER), UVA (OFFER), VT (OFFER)

The Skinny: Nicholson will likely narrow his list very soon. He has offers from almost every top program in the country. Derek’s brother AJ is a sophomore linebacker at Florida State, who may be tough to beat. UNC may be tough, as his father played football there.

Deveon Simmons, 6-0, 218, 4.5, Landstown (Virginia Beach, VA)
Schools: FL (OFFER), GA (OFFER), NCSU (OFFER), NEB (OFFER), UNC (OFFER), VT (OFFER), WVU (OFFER)

The Skinny: Virginia Tech and Nebraska are two schools who have been high with Simmons since the beginning, when I first spoke to Landstown Head Coach Chris Beatty. NC State has come on strong as well. Tech likes him as an outside linebacker/rover prospect.

"For Virginia Tech, I like the coaching staff," Simmons said in a May 13th update. "I know them pretty well. They are recruiting me as a safety that will come up as an outside linebacker sometimes. So they like me as a rover.”

Simmons may have a decision before the start of his senior season.

 

CORNERBACKS

2005 Losses to Eligibility

2005 Roster

2005 Commitments

Eric Green

Sr. Jimmy Williams
Jr. Chris Caesar
Jr. Brian McPherson
Soph. Roland Minor
RS Fr. or Soph. Rod Council (still
awaiting official word on Rod)
RS Fr. or Soph. Brandon Flowers
RS Fr. or Soph. Theodore Miller
RS Fr. or Soph. DJ Parker

None

Needs: It appears Rod Council will indeed become a Hokie, therefore he brings a big boost to the cornerback position. With Council, DJ Parker, Brandon Flowers, and Theodore Miller, Virginia Tech boasts a strong corps of young talent. Sophomore Roland Minor, a player whom the Virginia Tech coaches love, could have a break out season as well.

For 2005, Tech has about six scholarships out to potential prospects. It looks like they’ll take at least one, possibly two depending on who they can get. I wouldn’t say cornerback is a huge need in this year’s class, but adding at least one top corner would be nice.

Targets: Brandon Ghee, Jamar Jackson, Jamari McCollough, Danny Oquendo
(Piscataway (NJ) prospect Malcolm Jenkins and Huguenot (VA) prospect Sean Smalls may have VT offers as well. Still trying to confirm.)

CB Commitments – None

CB Top Targets

Brandon Ghee, 5-11, 178, 4.4, Jack Britt (Fayetteville, NC)
Schools: CLEM (OFFER), DUKE (OFFER), ECU (OFFER), NCSU (no offer), TN (OFFER), UNC (no offer), VT (OFFER, CAMP?), WF (OFFER)

The Skinny: Ghee didn’t list any favorites in a May 27th update. He did list Tennessee and Virginia Tech as possible camp destinations.

“No, sir, I don’t have any favorites right now,” Ghee said. “I haven’t visited all of the schools yet. I’m going to go to a few one-day camps this summer so I can visit more schools. I’m undecided right now which ones I will go to. Virginia Tech and Tennessee are most likely going to be two I go to.”

Ghee’s brother is a safety for Wake Forest, however he says that will not be a factor. He says he will probably decide “by the second game of his senior season,” so the summer visits will be important.

Jamar Jackson, 5-9, 190, 4.55, Bethel (Hampton, VA)
Schools: MAR (no offer), MD (OFFER, CAMP), UVA (OFFER, CAMP), VT (OFFER, CAMP), WF (no offer)

The Skinny: Jamar will camp at Tech on July 10th. When asked what he likes about Virginia Tech, he said “when I'm ever at Virginia Tech, it just feels like I'm at home. I’m also close with Coach Cavanaugh.”

Jackson said he wants to make some official visits and may decide in February 2005. He lists no favorites right now, however the fact that he feels “at home” at Virginia Tech is a big plus for the Hokies.

Jamari McCollough, 5-11, 177, 4.5, Randallstown (Randallstown, MD)
Schools: MD (OFFER, CAMP), MICH (OFFER), MICH ST (OFFER), PITT (OFFER), RUT (OFFER), SYR (OFFER), UCLA (OFFER), VT (OFFER, CAMP)

The Skinny: Maryland is all over Jamari according to Randallstown Head Coach Albert Howard, who says the Terrapins have McCollough listed as their number one cornerback target. McCollough is open, however, per his June 14th update.

“I don’t have any favorite schools,” McCollough said. “I’m still sifting through the schools that have offered. I’m going to take my time and wait it out. I do want to narrow my list to a top five before the beginning of my season. Then I’ll take visits to those schools.”

He will attend VT’s July 10th camp.

Danny Oquendo, 6-2, 180, 4.5, Hackensack (Hackensack, NJ)
Schools: MD (OFFER), RUT (OFFER), VT (OFFER) lead BC (no offer), CONN (OFFER), PITT (OFFER), PSU (no offer), SYR (OFFER), UNC (no offer), UVA (no offer)

The Skinny: Oquendo is a dynamic player for Hackensack Head Coach Ralph Dass. His versatility and athleticism have drawn him six scholarship offers. According to Coach Dass, the Tech coaches feel Oquendo could be a “DeAngelo Hall-type player” and love his potential as a cornerback.

On May 21st, Oquendo listed Tech as one of his three favorite schools.

"Rutgers is one of my top choices, and I am most familiar with them," Oquendo said. "They are one of my current top three of Rutgers, Maryland, and Virginia Tech. Virginia Tech is always a top school in football...they have been in the top 25 and been to bowl games for like eleven straight years or something. Maryland is a prestigious program. I'm familiar with the coaches at Maryland, and I relate with them. It's also pretty close by."

Oquendo said he would like to make unofficial visits this summer, some official visits this fall, and may have a decision during his senior season.

 

SAFETIES/ROVERS

2005 Losses to Eligibility

2005 Roster

2005 Commitments

FS Mike Daniels
FS Vince Fuller
ROV James Griffin

Free Safety:
Soph. Corey Gordon.
Rover:
Sr. Cary Wade
Sr. DJ Walton
RS Fr or Soph Purnell Sturdivant

Cameron Martin

Needs: Cameron Martin looks like an excellent free safety recruit. He provides instant depth behind Jimmy Williams and Corey Gordon. Tech would probably still like to land one more defensive back with the ability to play many positions in the defensive backfield.

Targets: Andre Pope, Antonio Wardlow

Safety/Rover Commitments – 1

Cameron Martin, 6-2, 180, 4.5, George-Washington (Danville, VA)

The Skinny: Martin is a hard-hitting and savvy safety prospect. GW-Danville Head Coach Dan Newell had this to say about his star prospect.

"I defer to what the colleges tell me, and they like the way he plays the run from the safety position. Cameron really fills the alleys. It's one thing to get there, but he gets there and he's a fearless tackler. One coach described him as ferocious. He's not the biggest guy yet, but he plays with great leverage. Cameron has deceptive closing speed. He gets his hand on a lot of passes."

He chose Virginia Tech over offers from UVa, Boston College, Tennessee, Maryland, NC State, UNC, Wake Forest, and West Virginia. I have him rated the number 9 overall prospect in the state of Virginia.

Safety/Rover Targets

Andre Pope, 5-11, 205, 4.5, Fort Hill (Cumberland, MD)
Schools: CLEM (OFFER), UNC (OFFER, CAMP), VT (OFFER) lead GA (no offer, CAMP), MD (no offer), PSU (OFFER), WVU (no offer)

The Skinny: Pope picked up his third and fourth scholarship offers recently from Clemson and UNC, respectively. A physical player with excellent football instincts, Pope impressed the Tech coaches last summer during a summer camp session. He was worked out during the camp as a cornerback, but is being recruited as a defensive back (either safety or corner) by Tech.

Tech is listed as one of his three favorites.

“I do have some favorites,” Pope said. “In no particular order, I like Clemson, Virginia Tech, and UNC. Some schools I like that I’d like to get offers from are Georgia Tech and maybe the Florida teams like the Florida Gators.”

Tech is in good shape here, but Pope wants to take his time in the recruiting process.

Antonio Wardlow, 6-1, 175, 4.4, Parkland (Winston-Salem, NC)
Schools: CLEM (OFFER), NCSU (OFFER, CAMP?), S CAR (OFFER), TN (OFFER), UNC (OFFER, CAMP), UVA (OFFER), VT (OFFER, CAMP?), WF (OFFER, CAMP), WVU (OFFER)

The Skinny: Last week Wardlow stated he was open among his 14 scholarship offers. He hopes to narrow his list this summer.

“I’m not sure when I’ll decide,” Wardlow said. “I plan on getting my list down over the summer. Right now I’m still wide open. I’m really open to everybody. Everybody’s on the same level.”

Wardlow may attend Tech’s July 10th summer camp. He wants to visit Blacksburg to get a better sense of what Tech is all about. He admits now he does not know much about Tech’s program.

“I plan on finding out more about Virginia Tech when I visit them,” Wardlow said.

 

ATHLETES/JUMBO ATHLETES

2005 Commitments: None (Ed Wang now listed as OL/TE)
2005 Targets: Montario Hardesty, Willie Harriott, Victor Harris, Marques Slocum

 

Ath/JAth Commitments – None

Ath/JAth Targets

Montario Hardesty, 6-1, 197, 4.39, New Bern (NC)
Schools: CLEM (OFFER), MD (OFFER), NCSU (OFFER), NEB (OFFER), UNC (OFFER), VT (OFFER)
Possible positions: CB, RB, WR

The Skinny: The Hokies offered Hardesty during the spring evaluation period per New Bern Head Coach Chip Williams. Williams, who feels his star may be a better cornerback on the next level, believes Hardesty is open among the schools who have offered.

Willie Harriott, 5-9, 180, 4.3, Hyde Leadership (New Haven, CT)
Schools: BC (OFFER), CONN (OFFER), IOWA (OFFER), MD (OFFER), PSU (OFFER), RUT (OFFER), UVA (OFFER), VT (OFFER)
Possible Positions: CB, WR

The Skinny: Willie was careful not to divulge his favorite schools during a recent update, so it’s tough to tell exactly where Tech stands here. The Hokies are led by primary recruiter Jim Cavanaugh.

Victor Harris, 6-0, 180, 4.46, Highland Springs (Highland Springs, VA)
Schools: FL (OFFER), FSU (OFFER), GA (OFFER), LSU (OFFER), MD (OFFER), MIA (OFFER), MICH (OFFER), NEB (OFFER), OKL (OFFER), USC (OFFER), UVA (OFFER), VT (OFFER)
Possible Positions: RB, CB

The Skinny: The best player in the state of Virginia has narrowed his list to the twelve schools listed above. He has no leaders among the twelve. Right now, Macho would like to take all five official visits following his senior season.

Virginia Tech is recruiting Harris “for whatever position he wants to play” per Highland Springs Head Coach Scott Burton.

Marques Slocum, 6-6, 325, West Catholic (Philadelphia, PA)
Schools: BC (OFFER), MD (OFFER), MICH (OFFER), MICH ST (OFFER), SYR (OFFER), UVA (OFFER), VT (OFFER), WISC (OFFER), WVU (OFFER)
Possible Positions: OL, NT

The Skinny: Though Slocum has some work to do academically in order to qualify, it hasn’t stopped most of the country from recruiting him. He seems wide open at this point in the process.

 

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