I’m tired of blaming other people for Virginia Tech’s recruiting losses. I’m tired of blaming a 17 year old for making a bad decision, or the other coaching staff for negative recruiting. Blaming other people for your problems doesn’t solve them. I’m ready to look in the mirror and address the real issue(s). The Hokies just can’t close on top 100 prospects. It’s as simple as that. But why?

Jalen Dalton picked UNC today. He’s a top 100 defensive end from North Carolina who Tech had all but wrapped up. The Hokies got out-closed for a top 100 recruit, as usual. I normally don’t get emotionally wrapped up in recruiting, but I was particularly attached to Dalton as a prospect. Also, Tech’s latest top 100 loss continues a trend that I don’t believe will ever end as long as Frank Beamer is head coach.

I’ll say it plainly. There is no excuse in losing a recruit – particularly a defensive recruit – to UNC right now. Larry Fedora doesn’t even pay attention to the defensive side of the ball. If you go to UNC, you take a risk of the program going on probation (again). If Tydreke Powell’s allegations of the UNC staff instructing players to fail certain tests so they could get special help with their classwork turn out to be true, that University as a whole could be facing charges of fraud, a Federal investigation, etc.

There’s really no good reason for a defensive recruit with Dalton’s offer list to go to UNC right now. Yet Virginia Tech lost that battle. I fully admit that I’m not happy about it, and I expect more.

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