Having already compiled most of its 2007 recruiting class, the Virginia Tech football staff hopes to get closer to closing it out and this weekend will present an opportunity to do just that. This weekend, the staff will host four of its remaining targets on official visits and they will be joined by five-star quarterback Tyrod Taylor, who is making his official visit as well, and a number of prospects on unofficial visits.
Here is a list at the uncommitted targets expected to be making their official visits to Tech this weekend. Jamar Jackson, Jay Smith and Bud Tribbey have visited Virginia Tech before, so Gerald Jones is the only recruit making his first-ever trip to Blacksburg.
Jamar Jackson – DE/ATH; 6-4, 230 pounds; Varina (VA)
Gerald Jones – ATH; 6-0, 190 pounds; Millwood (Oklahoma City, OK); Potential positions – WR, DB, RB
Jay Smith – WR; 6-3, 200 pounds; Lake Taylor (Norfolk, VA)
Bud Tribbey – DT; 6-1, 288 pounds; Varina (VA)
Jackson will be making the fourth official visit of his recruiting process. He has already been to Boston College, Louisville and N.C. State, respectively, and also plans on making an official visit to Clemson. Tech has a good shot here, although it certainly has to impress this weekend. Jackson is a player who impressed the staff greatly at the defensive end position during his performance at this summer’s Tech senior camp.
Jones, an athlete who could end up as a RB, WR or CB on the next level, obviously has interest in the Hokies. Where the Hokies stand among his top schools, however, will be determined largely by how he feels on this weekend’s trip. Tech has to make a big impression, as the ultra-productive athlete plans to make all five official visits. Florida, Florida State, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Tennessee and Texas Tech are among the other programs in serious contention. This is Jones’ first official visit.
Jay Smith, rated the state’s #3 overall prospect by TechSideline.com, has the Hokies under heavy consideration along with N.C. State. Miami, Notre Dame and Tennessee are also being considered seriously, but, according to Jay’s father Mordecai, Jay could be close to pulling the trigger on a commitment. Jay has a good relationship with Tyrod Taylor, which can only help this weekend.
Talented defensive tackle Bud Tribbey is down to Syracuse and Virginia Tech. Tech is offering him as a greyshirt candidate, meaning he would not be on scholarship until January of 2008. At last check, Tech was the only official visit destination set by Tribbey. He is a player who could make a decision anytime, so we’ll see if this visit has any impact.
—
Joining the group…
Many more prospects, mostly commitments, are expected to be on hand for the Georgia Tech game. Here is a preliminary list of recruits expected in town on unofficial visits…
OL Will Alvarez
TE Brandon Barden
OL Blake DeChristopher
OL Khalil Latif
DB Davon Morgan
TE/OT Greg Nosal
OL Kyle Nunn
LB Quillie Odom
ATH Kendrick Pressley – uncommitted
WR Patrick Terry
LB/DB Alonzo Tweedy
Some other names we’ve heard of include 2006 signee Ladi Ajiboye (who is now at Hargrave), 2008 commit Bruce Taylor and 2008 Richland-Northeast (S.C.) LB Chaz Washington. Some other 2008 recruits are likely to be there as well.
Stay tuned on Sunday, as we will provide updates on as many kids as we can reach from this past weekend. The official visitors will be the priority (as will be Kyle Nunn, who may ask the staff if he can make official visits to other schools), but we will try and reach the unofficial visitors as well. Check for updates on the TSL Pass Recruiting board with the articles to follow.
Tech Sideline is Presented By: