Before this month, Virginia Tech appeared to be a serious long shot for 4-star Douglass (Atlanta, GA) tailback James Davis. Tech has returned to Davis’ list in strong fashion, largely due to the efforts of recruiting coach Lorenzo Ward.

“I talk to Coach Ward a lot,” Davis said. “He said they need a big-time back because their rushing status is not that good right now. They had to move a receiver to running back this year. They’re looking for big-time backs to come in and play with Mike Vick’s brother [Marcus]. I think that could be a good combination.”

There are 5 schools being strongly considered by Davis, with 2 standing out right now as the favorites.

“My top schools are Virginia Tech, Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia Tech and Mississippi State,” Davis said. “Tennessee and Virginia Tech stand out above the rest right now. Tennessee has 2 running backs leaving after this year in Jabari Davis and Cedric Houston. They still got [Gerald] Riggs, but he’ll be a senior next year. I think I could at least get some carries as a true freshman. I went to the orange/white game this Spring. It felt all right.

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