Before we get to latest news on the gridiron, here are some of the latest recruiting developments with Virginia Tech’s class of 2016…
– In case you missed it, Greer (S.C.) cornerback Troy Pride Jr. revealed last week that he was reopening his recruitment “due to the unpredictable future” of Virginia Tech. Pride added that Virginia Tech “remains one of my top schools because of the respect and love they have given my family and I.”
Notre Dame, which hosted Pride on an official visit October 16-18, is one of the top contenders for the Greer star. Pride also took an unofficial visit to North Carolina earlier this month.
In addition to Pride, Bayside (Virginia Beach, VA) wide receiver/defensive back Phillip Patterson is the only other former Virginia Tech recruit that has de-committed in the wake of Frank Beamer’s retirement news. Tech remains a top consideration for Patterson, who has heard from coaches from North Carolina, Penn State, Wake Forest and West Virginia in the month of November.
– Top wide receiver commit Divine Deablo has not officially reopened his recruitment; however, the Mount Tabor (Winston-Salem, N.C.) star did take an official visit to North Carolina this past weekend. Michael Clark of Scout.com reported via Twitter that the 6’4″ receiver will be back in Blacksburg this weekend on an unofficial visit and will then make an official to NC State the final weekend in November.
Deablo plans on enrolling at his school of choice in January. As of this writing, that school is Virginia Tech, but certainly there is competition now. We hope to have more from the standout prospect this week.
– MLive.com reported earlier this month that Saline (MI) quarterback Joshua Jackson plans to enroll at Virginia Tech in January “as long as (Tech offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Scot) Loeffler remains on the next coach’s staff.”
Jackson, who took an official visit to Virginia Tech last month, has signed non-binding grant-in-aid paperwork with the Hokies.
– As reported in this TSL Pass recruiting update, Wise (Upper Marlboro, MD) defensive back Myles Wolfolk has taken an official visit to North Carolina since Frank Beamer announced his retirement. Wolfolk also said that he was working on an official to Wisconsin. At last check no official visit date to Wisconsin had been finalized, but if he does make one this weekend could be the weekend. Wisconsin hosts Northwestern in its final regular season home game of 2015.
Wolfolk indicated he plans on taking an official visit to Virginia Tech; however, he wants to take an official to Tech after the new coach is in place.
Like Jackson, wide receiver Sam Denmark and defensive end Jimmie Taylor, Wolfolk has signed grant-in-aid paperwork with Virginia Tech.
PLAYOFF ACTION
– Joshua Jackson, QB, Saline (MI)
The 6’3″, 200-pound signal caller had a terrific regular season in which he accumulated 2,100 yards of offense (1,600 passing, 500 rushing) and threw for 20 touchdowns. Unfortunately for Jackson, Saline’s Hornets fell to Canton in the Division 1 regional title game. Saline won all 10 regular season games before dropping the playoff outing.
Jackson completed 8-of-20 passes for 73 yards and a touchdown in the loss.
– JoVonn Quillen Jr., QB/ATH, Hampton (VA)
Hampton, which remains perfect in 2015, defeated Maury by 36 points in the first round of the 5A South playoffs. Quillen rushed for 133 yards and four touchdowns in the win. In the regular season, the Tech commit totaled 29 touchdowns (16 passing, 13 rushing) and almost 1,900 yards of offense.
– Divine Deablo, WR, Mount Tabor (Winston-Salem, N.C.)
Deablo ended his high school career with a 6-catch, 165-yard, 2-touchdown performance in a loss to Davie County on November 6. The Spartans went 5-6 this season and did not make the playoffs.
– Sam Denmark, WR, Hanahan (S.C.)
Hanahan, the Region 8-AAA champion and no. 1 seed in the Lower State AAA bracket, lost 34-31 in the first round of the playoffs to Brookland-Cayce. Denmark had two touchdowns — a 78-yard kick-off return and a 5-yard reception — in the final game of his high school career.
– Eric Kumah, WR, Forest Park (Woodbridge, VA)
Kumah had a 2-yard touchdown run and returned a fumble 50 yards for another score, but Forest Park fell to Hylton, 28-14, in the 6A South regionals. The Bruins conclude the 2015 season with a 6-5 record.
Kumah, who plans to enroll at Tech in January, was magnificent in the final season of his high school career. The Conference 4 Offensive Player of the Year was huge for his team throughout the season, hauling in 50 receptions for 1,399 yards and scoring 16 total touchdowns.
– Thomas Jarrett Hopple, OL, Nansemond River (Suffolk, VA)
Nansemond River lost to Norview, 19-7, in the 5A South playoffs. The Warriors finished at 7-4 on the season.
– Patrick Kearns, OL, Darlington (Rome, GA)
After finishing its regular season with a perfect 10-0 record, Darlington lost to Pace Academy in the Class AA regionals. Kearns missed his entire senior season while recovering from a foot fracture.
– Clay Dean, DL, Woodgrove (Purcellville, VA)
Woodgrove downed Heritage, 40-13, to advance in the 4A West playoffs. Sherando is up next on Friday.
– Jimmie Taylor IV, DE, Southwest Onslow (Jacksonville, N.C.)
Southwest Onslow finished the regular season with a 3-8 record. As mentioned above, Taylor plans on enrolling at Virginia Tech in January of 2016.
– Tavante Beckett, LB, Indian River (Chesapeake, VA)
Indian River defeated Bethel, 47-7, in the opening round of the 5A South playoffs. The Braves will face Kecoughtan in the second round this week.
– Emmanuel Belmar, LB, Collins Hill (Suwanee, GA)
Collins Hill defeated Lambert, 33-13, to advance in the AAAAAA playoffs.
– Victor Greene, LB, Courtland (Spotsylvania, VA)
Courtland (9-2) advanced in the 4A East playoffs with a 42-0 win over King George, setting up a matchup with Eastern View (9-2) this Friday. Greene, who plays running back and linebacker at Courtland, rushed for 127 yards and two scores in last week’s win.
– Khalil Ladler, CB, IMG Academy (Bradenton, FL)
IMG Academy went 10-0 in the 2015 season. Ladler, who is hoping to enroll at Tech in January of 2016, missed the entire season while recovering from a torn ACL and subsequent surery.
– Myles Wolfolk, DB, Wise (Upper Marlboro, MD)
Wise cruised to a 42-8 win over Bowie in the first round of the Class 4A playoffs. Wolfolk and company, who are in the midst of a perfect season (11-0), will now face Eleanor Roosevelt in the second round on Friday.
– Reggie Floyd, S/RB, Stonewall Jackson (Manassas, VA)
Stonewall Jackson, which also features Virginia Tech-bound junior athlete Devante Smith, went winless in 2015. Floyd played well all season long. He played on both sides of the ball in high school but projects as a safety for the Hokies.
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Was so encouraged about VTs QB future with JJ. He looked better and better each time I watched him. Hopefully Whit and new staff can help keep him committed.
Is there a consensus on Quillen’s ability to have a future impact at tech
I think Quillen will be an impact player at another position, probably as a defensive back. I do think he’ll get a look at quarterback initially, though.
I hope that Whit looks long term and not at this year’s recruits that are tied to any current staff member.
If the kid wants to follow Loeffler more power to him. I don’t think anyone is going to be beating down his door 🙂
Go Hokies!
You might be surprised.
Chris. Since Joshua Jackson won’t be coming to VT, who is next in line to commit at QB?
Even with the Loeffler comment, it’s too early to say he won’t be coming. We’ll see who the new head coach is and what Jackson’s reaction is to the new guy. If Jackson did head elsewhere I would think landing a quarterback would be an emphasis in the months leading up to Signing Day, but without knowing the coach it’s difficult to say who the QB target(s) would be.