Hokies Ranked #7 in Coaches’ Poll

In the first USA Today Coaches’ Poll that was
released on Friday morning at 6 o’clock, the Virginia Tech Hokies were ranked
7th in the nation. It is the highest preseason ranking the Hokies have ever
garnered. Tech finished 19 points behind 6th ranked LSU, and ten points ahead of
8th ranked Miami.

Defending National Champion USC was voted #1 with
a total of 60 first place votes. Texas was #2 with the other two first place
votes. Tennessee, Michigan and Oklahoma round out the top five.

The ACC placed five teams in the top 25. The
Hokies and Miami at 7th and 8th respectively, Florida State at #12, Boston
College at #22 and UVA at #23. Georgia Tech sits just outside the top 25 at #29
with 88 votes.

The rankings are consistent with preseason
predictions given by the ACC media at the end of July. The media picked Tech to
beat out Miami in the Coastal Division, with Virginia finishing 3rd. Florida
State was predicted to win the Atlantic Division over Boston College. The
Coastal Division is considered stronger than the Atlantic. Georgia Tech, just
outside the top 25, also resides in the Coastal.

The Hokies will put their program’s highest
preseason ranking on the line on Sept. 4 at 7:15pm, when they travel to NC State
to take on the Wolfpack in a highly anticipated night game on ESPN2.

This weekend will be a tremendous weekend for the
Virginia Tech football program. Not only does practice start this afternoon at
3:15, but the Hokies are also hosting a group of recruits that would make any
program in the nation drool.

Harvin and McDaniel are both wide receivers and
teammates at Landstown High School in Virginia Beach, VA. Harvin is rated the #1
player in the country by Rivals.com. McDaniel is a four star prospect and the #8
receiver in the country. They form a big-time wide receiver combination for
Landstown coach Chris Beatty, whose program is blessed with talent. Current
Virginia Tech r-freshman wide receiver Jeremy Gilchrist went to Landstown, as
did 2005 signee Deveon Simmons, so there is some familiarity. Landing either
Harvin or McDaniel, or both, would be a huge boost to the 2006 recruiting class.
The Hokies really don’t need any receivers this year, but you can never turn
away players with this type of talent.

Jarrell Miller is a big time linebacker prospect
from Highland Springs High School. Highland Springs produces some top level
talent that seems to always head to Blacksburg. Other Highland Springs players
to sign with Tech are Victor “Macho” Harris, Noland Burchette, Maurice
Reevey and Jim Davis. Miller has offers from many big time programs. Recruiting
experts are convinced that he will sign with the Hokies in February.

John Graves is a defensive end prospect from
Meadowbrook High School in Richmond. He is being wooed by many top schools,
including VT, UVA, Maryland, Georgia and Ohio State. VT and UVA are his top two.
UVA looks to have an ever-so-slight lead at this point, but this one will go
down to the wire. Getting Graves on campus with so many other top recruits
definitely helps Tech’s chances.

Brandon Minor is the top running back in the
state of Virginia this year. Minor is a big, bruising back who has offers from
VT, Miami, Michigan, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and many others. The Hokies looked to
be on the outside looking in, but Minor recently stated that the VT was solidly
in his top four.