Virginia Tech Recruiting Update: Can Hokies Continue Momentum Into July?

The beginning of these recruiting updates are turning into a broken record. Virginia Tech recruiting secured another commitment for the Class of 2018, maintaining their momentum on the trail. With several commitments over the last few weeks, can the Hokies keep things going into July? All that and more in this week’s recruiting update.

Tisdale joins the club

Linebacker Alan Tisdale announced his commitment to Virginia Tech on Saturday.

https://twitter.com/alan_tisdale/status/881318231742525440

Tisdale is a three-star linebacker from Greensboro, N.C., an area that’s been quite fruitful for Virginia Tech in recent years. In this cycle alone, Tech has hauled in Tisdale, Tre Turner and DJ Crossen, all from Greensboro. The three are friends, and all were considered Virginia Tech leans just a couple of months ago.

Virginia Tech will have to find a place for Tisdale on the field. At 6-foot-4 and 217-pounds, Tisdale is bigger than some defensive ends the Hokies have recruited in the past. However, he is likely going to begin his career at backer for the Hokies. Tisdale has an impressive offer list, including offers from North Carolina, Notre Dame, Louisville and West Virginia.

The Hokies will likely take only one more linebacker. With Tisdale slated at backer, Tech is looking towards Dax Hollifield and Keshon Artis to fill their mike spot. Tech is in a good position with both at the moment.

Steward, McFadden announcing on Tuesday

Virginia Tech could receive more good news this week. Running back Caleb Steward, as well as offensive lineman Jordan McFadden, are both expected to announce their college decisions on Independence Day.

Steward is now the top target at running back for Virginia Tech. The 5-foot-10, 203-pound running back from Jacksonville, Fla. is extremely athletic, yet seems a bit under-recruited. Steward only holds four Power 5 offers — Wake Forest, Purdue and Duke — and most of his offers are from Group of 5 teams. Still, the Hokies are very high on Steward and would love to bring him into the fold. South Florida is the other top-contender for Steward’s services.

McFadden is one of the best offensive linemen left on Virginia Tech’s board. The 6-foot-4, 280-pound offensive lineman from South Carolina would be an important commitment for the Hokies, who have struggled thus far on the offensive line front. McFadden holds several Power 5 offers, and has shared a top-4 of Virginia Tech, Duke, Rutgers and Michigan State. The Hokies sit very well with McFadden.

Running back Mataeo Durant is also expected to announce his decision on July 8. With Virginia Tech sitting well in Steward’s recruitment, Hokies’ fans should expect Durant to head elsewhere. Duke is the likely landing spot for Durant.

Future and Potential Hokies at The Opening

College football recruiting is in the middle of a dead period at the moment, but elite-level recruits who were invited to The Opening are busy enough. The Opening started on June 28 and will run to July 3, and the Hokies have a great stake in what’s happening in Oregon. Here are the recruits either committed to Tech, or who Tech is heavily recruiting.

Quarterback Quincy Patterson — Virginia Tech has good reason to be excited about Patterson and his ceiling in Blacksburg. Patterson, who committed to Virginia Tech in February, was named to the Elite 11 and was invited to The Opening as one of 12 quarterbacks. He’s impressed scouts and journalists alike, and has generated a lot of buzz with his performance.

Nice pass from Quincy Patterson to Kyle Pitts (@ghost_boi4) across the middle. pic.twitter.com/VaUiLQeSc9

— Daniel Gallen (@danieljtgallen) July 2, 2017

Keep hearing great things about Va Tech QB commit Quincy Patterson. Elite 11 coaches love his intangibles. One called him best leader here.

— Paul Myerberg (@PaulMyerberg) June 30, 2017

Virginia Tech has found a gem in Patterson, who was previously under-recruited. The Hokies secured his commitment early, before everyone else jumped in. 

Cornerback Kalon Gervin — It looks like Gervin is working on a commitment video.

https://twitter.com/XGoldsmith_/status/880491691324481537

Virginia Tech has pursued Gervin heavily since his decommitment from Notre Dame on May 6. The Michigan-native is expected to visit Virginia Tech later this month, and a commitment could come around that time. The Hokies are confident in where they stand with Gervin, but will need to finish strong. 

Tight end Kyle Pitts — Pitts is one of the top targets remaining on the offensive board, but Virginia Tech has slipped in his recruitment. Pitts took an unofficial visit to Florida on June 10, and the Gators made quite an impression. Pitts had originally planned to announce a decision on July 4, but has delayed that announcement. Florida still holds the advantage over Virginia Tech for now.  However, he is playing on Quincy Patteron’s team at The Opening, and is now expected to visit Tech again.

Defensive end KJ Henry — Henry’s recruitment includes all of the prettiest girls at the ball. Alabama, Clemson and Georgia are three of Henry’s top schools, while Virginia Tech has also maintained a good position. Henry was last on campus in April, but could visit in late-July. The sooner Virginia Tech can get Henry back on campus, the better. 

Offensive lineman Jovaughn Gwyn — Virginia Tech arrived to the party a little late on Gwyn, but have since made up a lot of ground. Gwyn has a top group of Duke, South Carolina and NC State, but is expected to visit Virginia Tech later this month. The Hokies will have to make a big impression on Gwyn when he gets on campus.

Offensive lineman Rasheed Walker — Walker is the highest-rated offensive lineman left on the board for Virginia Tech. The 6-foot-5, 280-pound recruit is a 4-star prospect, and has tons of Power 5 offers. Walker is expected to visit in late-July, giving the Hokies an opportunity to better their position. Maryland, Penn State and Ohio State are the top contenders the Hokies are facing.