Recruiting News & Notes From The VT Spring Game

By: Chris Horne |

Top class of 2017 targets Khalan Laborn (front, taking the picture in the tweet below) and Tahj Capehart (behind Laborn, wearing the backwards cap), as well as top class of 2018 linebacker Teradja Mitchell (upper left, wearing a maroon jersey) were among those on hand for Virginia Tech’s 2016 Spring Game, its first in the Justin Fuente era.

Laborn, who is finishing out his junior year at Ocean Lakes High School (Virginia Beach) but is not expected to return there, had Virginia Tech as one of his top schools prior to yesterday’s visit. The trip certainly appears to have done nothing to hurt Tech’s chances. Chris Scott, Laborn’s former head coach at Ocean Lakes and new Bishop Sullivan (Virginia Beach) head coach, keeps in contact with the 4-star running back.

“I know when I’m talking to him he has listed Virginia Tech as one of his top schools,” Scott said in an interview with TechSideline.com last week. “Alabama and Auburn are wanting him to visit. Obviously Florida State is in there. Florida and UNC are in the mix. There are one or two he’d like to see before he starts to boil it down in the next few weeks.”

Laborn is expected to make his college choice in early June.

Virginia Tech was the first school to offer Teradja Mitchell, coming through for the top linebacker prospect in the winter of his freshman year at Bayside High School (Virginia Beach). Mitchell, who is now at Bishop Sullivan, has seen his recruitment flourish ever since, most recently landing an offer from LSU. He has visited Blacksburg multiple times but his decision seems far off.

As for Capehart, the new Virginia Tech coaches have made him a top priority at wide receiver. Many others, including Alabama, are also in hot pursuit.

“I know [the Virginia Tech coaches] are very much excited about him,” Scott said of 6’0″ Capehart, who attends Ocean Lakes but is expected to join Scott at Bishop Sullivan his senior year. “They have a need at wide receiver. Tahj has the speed to be an outside guy and he could also find himself in the slot. The new offense is giving more slot-type guys the ball more, like with jet sweeps and things like that. They have made him a focus because of that. He has made visits to Alabama, to Penn State, to Maryland, and to Virginia Tech. He has one set up to Georgia. West Virginia and South Carolina are there. I think he is trying to get out to more schools before he starts to boil things down.”

MORE FROM TWITTER

SEAN SAVOY

Wilson (Washington, D.C.) class of 2017 dynamo Sean Savoy was scheduled to visit Virginia Tech for a practice last weekend, but he decided against it because of a track meet last Saturday and The Opening Regional in DC on Sunday. The 5’10” wide receiver recruit made it to Tech yesterday. Stay tuned to TSL for reaction from Savoy to this experience and where he plans to go from here with his recruitment.

TSL Pass subscribers can read my recruiting update on him from earlier this week by clicking here.

BRAILYN FRANKLIN

No commitment as of this writing from Battlefield (Haymarket, VA) class of 2017 defensive end/outside linebacker prospect Brailyn Franklin, but after yesterday’s trip he has now visited Virginia Tech four times this year alone. Tech still seems like the clear favorite for the 6’2″, 200-pound junior.

MJ JARRELL

Timber Creek (Orlando, FL) class of 2017 wide receiver MJ Jarrell connected with the coaches and was impressed by the fans at yesterday’s Spring Game.

TRACE CHRISTIAN

Class of 2017 running back/linebacker Trace Christian made the trek from Altamonte Springs, Florida, tweeting that he had a “great time.”

IN-STATE SOPHOMORE LB LANDS OFFER

While in Blacksburg for the Spring Game, class of 2018 linebacker Keshon Artis of Oscar Smith (Chesapeake, VA) received an offer from the Hokies. Virginia Tech is the second school to offer Artis. Maryland was the first.

DILLON SPALDING

South County (Lorton, VA) sophomore wide receiver Dillon Spalding received an offer from Justin Fuente and company earlier in the year. He was also at the Spring Game.

DAX HOLLIFIELD RETURNS TO VT

Yesterday’s trip was the sixth time Shelby (N.C.) sophomore linebacker Dax Hollifield has visited Virginia Tech, which is a co-favorite along with North Carolina at this point. A linebacker class of Teradja Mitchell, Hollifield, and Artis would be elite.

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  1. Trace Christian goes to Lake Brantley High School in Altamonte Springs, FL which is about 12 miles north of Orlando. It is also where I went to high school! Would be great to see a Patriot go to VT to play football.

      1. Met him on campus. He and his family were looking for a place to park. He approached and asked if he could park where we were. Appears to be a great young man. Knew how to look you in the eye and extend a hand for a hank shake. (sounds small but but it ain’t). Brief conversation with his family and friends and I’m already a fan. Whip prospect.

        Question…..Why do our recruits have to look for parking….this has happened to me before…due to where we tailgate I think…but come on….imagine the confusion of pulling onto an unfamiliar campus had having to find you own parking spot ….as a recruit.

        Just saying.

        1. We want them to have the genuine Virginia Tech experience of hunting for parking. They also get a replica parking ticket. 😉

          -Alpha ’99

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