Bethel (Hampton, VA) senior defensive tackle Ricky Walker , who was one of the Commonwealth’s most highly rated uncommitted recruits heading into this weekend, is now off the board after verbally committing to Virginia Tech early Sunday afternoon.
“I am officially committed to VIRGINIA TECH ! #Hokies,” Walker wrote on Twitter. Prior to the commitment tweet, the 6’2″, 270-pound prospect wrote: “I want take this time to appreciate all of the coaches that took their time recruiting me. This was truly a blessing! Humble experience.”
Walker is the 19th high school senior to pledge to Tech, which has enjoyed success in recruiting Bethel defensive linemen — specifically DEs Chris Ellis and James Gayle — in the past. Rated a 4-star prospect by Rivals, 247Sports and ESPN, the standout defensive tackle chose Virginia Tech over offers from Nebraska, North Carolina, Penn State, and Pittsburgh, among others. He made an official visit to Nebraska prior to taking an official to Tech this weekend.
Walker, who racked up 70 tackles with 11 sacks his junior season, is Virginia Tech’s first defensive tackle commitment in the class of 2014. With former defensive tackle recruits Alston Smith and Wyatt Teller moving to offense, the interior defensive line became a major need of the Hokies’ in this class.
Tech now sets its sights on another Tidewater star defensive tackle in Ocean Lakes (Va. Beach, VA) product Derrick Nnadi . Nnadi is also considering Florida State, Ohio State and Penn State, but Tech is thought to be in good shape at this point.
Stay tuned to TSL for more from Walker.
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O&M that would be more comfortably numb but I am with you all the way. Sorry, BA English, VT.I can’t help myself.
This is the best part of the commitment … “I want take this time to appreciate all of the coaches that took their time recruiting me. This was truly a blessing! Humble experience.” I love guys who appreciate the effort of others with respect a dignity. It may sound silly in the game of football, but to recognize this is an important quality and a continuation of the guys we want to bring here to school.
Welcome aboard RW…great to have you’
IF VT could get NANDI,HOLLAND,&MINOR this will be a very good recruiting class!!
He walked by me in Sec 14, I told him to commit that day, guess he listened!!!!!
Welcome to Hokie Nation Ricky!
Delighted! The missing link to this class has been DT. Ricky Walker will be a definite asset to VT Defense continuing to be dominating!
Welcome to the HOKIENATION Mr. Walker! Championships are built from the inside out.
I think we’ll be relishing this commitment for years to come.
Great to have Mr. Walker as part of Hokie Nation. Go Hokies!
This is a HUGE commitment for this recruiting class. With the need that we have at DT going forward and three national-level recruits available in the state this year, the absolute last thing we wanted to have happen was to get shut out with Walker, Nnadi and Andrew Brown. Now we will be signing at least one of the three and we have a very good shot at being able to eventually get two. It’s been a damn good weekend for VT fans! 🙂
Damn good weekend!!! Oh and UVA lost too.
Tim Settle in 2015, too.
Welcome to #HokieNation, Mr. Walker! Excellent news!
Alright, Walker and Nnadi will give us another dynamic tackle set for the next 3-4 years…GO HOKIES!!!!
I didn’t think we’d get him. To quote from Pink Floyd, “I am comfortable numb”(!). Even if we don’t get Nadi or anyone else, Walker is a big time get. Nevertheless I could stand to get comfortably number.
I’m right there with you, OandM. This commitment feels extra sweet! I was hopeful, but certainly wasn’t counting on him. Now, let’s keep it going!
Good news!
Awesome, Nandi hopefully soon.
Welcome aboard Mr. Walker. Can’t wait to see you on the field, as a Hokie!!!
GO HOKIES!!!