It’s only one month until the recruiting season picks up once again, as September 1st is the first day college coaches can resume calling recruits and recruits can begin official visits. So, for the next month, recruits all across the country will not only be busy with preseason practice, but some will be narrowing their lists further and setting official visits.

Heading into the busy time of recruiting, Virginia Tech has received seven verbal commitments. One, Jacob Sykes, is already pegged as a grey shirt. Todd Nolen, a 2005 signee, will likely have to go to Fork Union for a year, which would bring the total back to seven (Sykes could be a 2006 or 2007 recruit if he enrolls in January of 2007.)

Look for Tech to try and sign about 21-23 players in this year’s class. Offensive line and linebacker appear to be the most pressing needs right now, with defensive end another position the Hokies are targeting hard.

Here is an overview of all the positions and where Virginia Tech may go from here…

Quarterback: By landing Greg Boone and Ike Whitaker last season, quarterback is not a priority for the Hokies. No quarterbacks were offered in this year’s class.

Running backs: Tech signed workhorse tailback Elan Lewis last season and George Bell and Branden Ore will be sophomore’s in 2006. Tech would like to land at least one top tailback prospect in 2006. Devin Radford may get a shot at tailback, but his likely position is corner. Tech isn’t the favorite right now for any of the running back targets below, but is in contention. (There are other players listed who could play tailback that are listed as athletes.)

Remaining RB targets (players Tech is still in contention for): LaSean McCoy, Knowshon Moreno, Brandon Minor, Evan Royster

Wide receivers: Sykes is a solid pick-up at wideout. He impressed at several camps this year and has a good combination of size and speed. Although Virginia Tech has excellent depth and talent on the roster right now (and Todd Nolen coming in 2006), the Hokies would like to bring in a few receiver recruits in the 2006 class. In-state wise, Tech is in solid position for Brandon Caleb and Damon McDaniel, two of the state’s best. Holy Spirit (N.J.) star Zach Luckett has the Hokies as his leader.

Remaining WR targets: Chris Bell (long shot by most accounts), LaMarcus Bond, Percy Harvin (long shot), Vidal Hazelton, Zach Luckett, Damon McDaniel, Owen Spencer

Tight ends: Virginia Tech might only bring in one tight end prospect in 2006, but it should be a good one. Drew Gloster, who along with Sean Gottschalk are the only tight ends Tech has offered, has Tech as his leader by a wide margin and could commit very soon. With Tech’s new emphasis on throwing to the tight end, getting a player of Gloster’s calibre would be an excellent addition.

Seneca Valley (Germantown, MD) star Andre Smith may have an offer as well. We hope to get confirmation shortly. He has good size and speed, but is not as fast as Gloster. Huguenot’s Dedrick Epps could be another name to remember, either at tight end or on defense.

Offensive line: I expect Tech to take about five offensive linemen in this year’s class. Off to a good start, Tech has already landed 6-7, 285-pound Clark Crum out of Ohio. Tech is in good shape with a lot of offensive line recruits and should land four or five very good prospects.

Remaining OL targets: Sean Allen, Garrett Anderson, Aaron Brown, Hutch Eckerson, Lou Eliades, Alex Stadler, Lee Tilley, Beau Warren

Defensive ends: Mike Gee is one of the top defensive ends in the East, so securing his commitment certainly marks a great start in defensive end recruiting. Virginia Tech is positioned for quite a few other talented ends, so don’t be surprised if the Hokies land three or four really good players here.

Remaining DE targets: Jason Adjepong, John Graves, Aaron Maybin, Josh Minton, Adam Patterson (possible DT as well), Donnell Sanders, Brian Whitmore

Defensive tackles: Virginia Tech missed out on Ricardo Crawford, who committed to Georgia, but scored a verbal from in-state standout Daryl Robertson. Robertson is a nice pick-up because of his size, strength and quickness off the ball.

Virginia Tech would like to land at least another defensive tackle, as a handful of other prospects have been offered as well.

Remaining DT targets: Olufemi Ajiboye, Jason Kates, Aleric Mullins, Jared Odrick, Phillip Taylor

Linebackers: Nekos Brown is a strong, tough linebacker recruit and he’s projected for the mike position. I expect Tech to try and land about three or four linebackers in total and the Hokies are in great shape with a number of prospects, including Suitland star Navorro Bowman and Highland Springs’ Jarrell Miller.

Remaining LB targets: Navorro Bowman, Jarrell Miller, Brandon Spikes, Matt Wright

Defensive backs: So far, Tech has landed two similar type players in Devin Radford and Rashad Carmichael. While Radford could end up on offense (see running backs), both he and Carmichael likely will end up at cornerback. Both are about 5-9 or 5-10, 180 pounds and super athletic. Two very good and perhaps underrated players.

Cornerback does not seem to be a very big need in this year’s class, so Carmichael and Radford must have impressed quite a bit to earn offers. Tech could use another rover or safety type, which they may get with some of the “athlete” recruits. Greg Davis is the only player remaining who is projected as a defensive back.

Remaining DB targets: No cornerbacks right now. Greg Davis (S)

Athletes: Several athletes Virginia Tech is recruiting include Robinson’s Lucas Caparelli, Oakton’s Keith Payne and North Carolina star Deunta Williams. Caparelli isn’t really going to get too much into recruiting until after his senior season. He’s a versatile prospect who could play running back or defensive back on the next level. Tech is in good shape for Brent Vinson as well as Keith Payne, who could end up as a running back, safety or maybe even a linebacker. Tech is more of a long shot for Williams at this point. Zach Luckett, who is being recruited as a wide receiver, is another intriguing prospect who could play safety. Trey Moeller is listed here because he could play linebacker or he could end up as a safety. Tech is tied with Iowa for his signature, with Ohio State and Tennessee offering recently as well.

Remaining ATH targets: Sterling Blunt, Lucas Caparelli, Trey Moeller, Keith Payne, Brent Vinson, Deunta Williams