Hokies Sign 2010 Recruiting Class

Virginia Tech’s 2010 recruiting class is complete. It features a total of 21
players, including original 2009 signees De’Antre Rhodes and Theron Norman. The
Hokies signed a player at every position except for running back. As usual, the
class contains players who can play multiple positions.

2010 Virginia Tech Football Recruiting Class
Pos	Name	Stars	Ht	Wt	Hometown	State
QB	Mark Leal		6-1	185	Delray Beach	FL
QB	Ricardo Young*		6-1	170	Washington	DC
WR	E.L. Smiling		6-3	185	Stafford	VA
TE	Jerome Lewis		6-4	230	Rochester	NY
OL	Matt Arkema		6-3	290	Midlothian	VA
OL	Caleb Farris		6-4	300	Lexington	VA
OL	Laurence Gibson*		6-6	300	Sierra Vista	AZ
OL	Mark Shuman		6-7	290	Fork Union	VA
DT	Nick Acree		6-6	310	King William	VA
DT	Derrick Hopkins		6-0	285	Highland Springs	VA
DT	De’Antre Rhodes		6-3	270	Richmond	VA
DE	Zack McCray		6-5	235	Lynchburg	VA
DE	Justin Taylor		6-4	220	Norwood	NC
LB	Brian Laiti		6-3	205	Fairfax	VA
LB	Tahrick Peak		6-2	205	Dublin	VA
LB	Chase Williams*		6-3	240	Leesburg	VA
LB/S	Nick Dew		6-2	195	Virginia Beach	VA
LB/S	Dominique Patterson		6-1	203	Suffolk	VA
CB	Detrick Bonner		6-0	170	Locust Grove	GA
CB	Kyle Fuller		6-0	165	Baltimore	MD
S	Theron Norman*		6-3	205	Richmond	VA
*Enrolled in January 2010 and will participate in spring practice

Here’s a quick look at how the class breaks down:

The class contains seven 4-star and fourteen 3-star players, according to
TechSideline.com’s rankings. That’s the most 4-star recruits the Hokies have
signed since the class of 2003, when they also signed seven 4-stars. 2003 was
the first year TSL did recruiting rankings. Since then, Tech hasn’t signed more
than five 5-star or 4-star players in a single class.

The 2010 class is particularly strong in the trenches, featuring four
offensive linemen and five defensive linemen. Five of those players are listed
as 4-star recruits, including defensive end Zack McCray, defensive tackle Nick
Acree, defensive tackle De’Antre Rhodes, offensive tackle Mark Shuman and
offensive tackle Laurence Gibson.

Virginia Tech is obviously making a commitment to continuing their dominating
ways in the trenches by signing such strong offensive and defensive line
classes. Other linemen in the class are offensive guards Caleb Farris and Matt
Arkema, defensive end Justin Taylor and defensive tackle Derrick Hopkins.

The other 4-star recruits are linebacker Chase Williams, and
linebacker/safety Nick Dew. Williams is the son of current New Orleans Saints
defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, who used to hold the same position with
the Washington Redskins. He was also the head coach of the Buffalo Bills from
2001-03.

Nick Dew is a versatile player who could end up at free safety, rover or whip
linebacker. The Hokies like to recruit versatile defensive backs who can play
multiple positions. Other examples are Lorenzo Williams, Antone Exum, Jerrodd
Williams, Jeron Gouveia-Winslow, Alonzo Tweedy and Xavier Boyce. Dew is the
latest recruit who fits that description.

This was also a very important class for the Hokies at the quarterback
position. Tyrod Taylor will be gone after the 2010 season, and Tech will need at
least one player to compete with Ju-Ju Clayton and Logan Thomas heading into
2011. They accomplished that in this class, signing two talented signal callers.

Mark Leal is a pocket passer from Atlantic High School in Delray Beach, FL.
That’s the same high school that produced David Clowney, Brandon Flowers and
Jayron Hosley. He’ll be joined by Ricardo Young of Washington, DC, who enrolled
at Virginia Tech for the spring semester. Both quarterbacks will redshirt in
2010, and then they’ll compete with Clayton and Thomas in the spring of 2011.
Tech fans will get their first look at Ricardo Young this spring, while Leal
will enroll in the summer.

Tech also had a strong year at linebacker. Chase Williams is a well-regarded
player, and Brian Laiti is a solid prospect expected to play the backer
position. Tahrick Peak, brother of 2009 signee Nubian Peak, will also fit in at
whip or backer. Dominique Patterson could also factor in at linebacker, but for
now he’s listed as a free safety by Virginia Tech.

In the defensive backfield, the Hokies signed two players who could end up at
cornerback: Detrick Bonner of Georgia and Kyle Fuller of Maryland. Fuller is the
younger brother of former Tech and current Tennessee Titan safety Vincent
Fuller. He could also play the free safety position. Theron Norman rounds out
the defensive backfield.

Tight end is also another position that needed to be addressed. The Hokies
got Jerome Lewis, a quality prospect from New York. With the lack of depth at
tight end heading into the 2010 season, Lewis is a candidate for early playing
time.

TSL will have detailed coverage of the 2010 recruiting class available to
subscribers in the coming days.