Hokies Sign 2011 Recruiting Class

Virginia Tech signed 19 new players to letters of intent on Wednesday,
joining cornerback Adeboye Aromire, who has already enrolled, for a total of 20
recruits in the 2011 class. Eight of Tech’s signees come from the state of
Virginia, and they also had success with some highly-touted prospects from
out-of-state.

Tech’s top in-state signee is Dinwiddie High School defensive end Corey
Marshall. At 6-2, 250, Marshall chose the Hokies over scholarship offers from
Virginia, Michigan and Tennessee. He is ranked #5 in the state of Virginia by
TechSideline.com, and is considered a perfect fit for Bud Foster’s defensive
scheme.

The Hokies also signed the #9 player in the state, safety prospect Ronny
Vandyke from South County High School. At 6-3, 200, Vandyke is likely destined
for the rover position. He chose Tech over UVA, West Virginia, Pitt, among
others.

Other in-state signees include linebacker Michael Cole (#15), running back
Michael Holmes (#20), offensive tackle Jake Goins (#24), wide receiver Demitri
Knowles (#26), defensive end Dewayne Alford (#31) and tight end Chris Hall
(#33).

Tech’s out-of-state haul was arguably more impressive. Pennsylvania
cornerback Kyshoen Jarrett highlights the list. At 5-10, 175, Jarrett was
originally a Pitt commit, but re-opened his recruitment when that coaching staff
was let go. He has great feet and natural football instincts. Jarrett also had
scholarship offers from Michigan, Penn State and Wisconsin. He is the #5 player
(out of 40 ranked players) in the state of Pennsylvania per Rivals.

The Hokies went back to Darren Evans’ old high school, Warren Central in
Indianapolis, to nab four-star defensive tackle Kris Harley. Harley is a 6-1,
275 playmaker who chose the Hokies over his other finalist, Oklahoma. He also
held offers from Purdue, Iowa, UNC and USC, among others. Like Corey Marshall,
Kris Harley appears to be a perfect fit for the Tech defensive line. Harley is
the #3 player (out of 20 ranked players) in the state of Indiana per Rivals.

Tech also went out-of-state to get good some other top prospects.

• CB James Farrow: #2 player (out of 10 ranked players) in the state of
  Minnesota , chose Tech over Miami, Minnesota, Arkansas, Illinois and West
  Virginia. 

• CB Adeboye Aromire: Already enrolled at Tech, offered by UNC, Illinois,
  West Virginia and MD. He is the #3 prospect in Washington, DC (out of 5
  ranked players). 
• WR Robert Lockhart: Florida prospect who chose the Hokies over Nebraska
  and Kansas State. 
• TE Ryan Malleck: A New Jersey recruit who chose Tech over Miami and
  Maryland. D
• E Matt Roth: From Tim Tebow’s alma mater, Nease High School in Florida.
  Roth had offers from South Carolina, Georgia Tech, Illinois, Mississippi
  State, Northwestern, Purdue, Texas A&M and Virginia.

Overall this was a solid recruiting class, particularly on the defensive side
of the ball. However, the Hokies only managed to sign two top 10 prospects in
the state of Virginia. Quarterback Lafonte Thourogood, the #10 player in the
state, decommitted from Virginia Tech on Signing Day and elected to sign with
Vanderbilt.

The Hokies also missed out on a number of top out-of-state targets, such as
linebacker Stephone Anthony (Clemson), offensive tackle Kiaro Holts (North
Carolina) and quarterback Marquise Williams (North Carolina).

We’ll have multiple closer looks at this class available for TSL Pass
subscribers in the coming days.