Virginia Tech finished up their 2017 football recruiting Class on Wednesday, receiving 17 National Letters of Intent on National Signing Day.
The 17 signees join eight other players who already enrolled in January, for a full 2017 class size of 25. (TechSideline.com includes a 26th player, January enrollee Silas Dzansi, with the 2016 class, since he originally signed with VT last year before prepping this past season.)
Here’s the full list of 2017 recruits, including the eight players who enrolled in January.
POS PLAYER STARS STATUS
P Oscar Bradburn 
Jan. Enrollee
QB A.J. Bush Jan. Enrollee
QB, ATH Caleb Farley Jan. Enrollee
QB Hendon Hooker Jan. Enrollee
LB Aundre Kearney Jan. Enrollee
ATH Dalton Keene Jan. Enrollee
ATH Kalil Pimpleton Jan. Enrollee
ATH Terius Wheatley Jan. Enrollee
DE Tyjuan Garbutt VT Signee
OL Aiden Brown VT Signee
TE Drake Deluliis VT Signee
LB Dylan Rivers VT Signee
LB Rayshard Ashby VT Signee
DE Nathan Proctor VT Signee
WR Hezekiah Grimsley VT Signee
ATH Bryce Watts VT Signee
OL Christian Darrisaw VT Signee
LB Jaylen Griffin VT Signee
S Devon Hunter VT Signee
RB Jalen Holston VT Signee
TE Lecitus Smith VT Signee
CB, S Devante Smith VT Signee
DT Robert Porcher VT Signee
DT J'Bril Glaze VT Signee
WR Sean Savoy VT Signee
2017 Football Recruiting Class Notes
Here’s more info on the 17 who sent in their National Letters of Intent on Wednesday. The January enrollees were covered in a previous article that you can read by clicking here.
Tyjuan Garbutt, defensive end
Garbutt is one of the better recruits in the state of Virginia (#8 in our in-state top 20) and provides an instant talent infusion on the defensive line. Garbutt’s athleticism at 6-foot-3, 220-pounds could make him a beast on the edge. There is a chance Garbutt could play receiver, but that won’t be the case to start.
Aiden Brown, offensive lineman
Brown is one of three offensive lineman who will join Virginia Tech this offseason. The 6-foot-3, 285-pound recruit from Maryland will add depth to a unit that loses two starters from last season. Brown is a 3-star recruit and will likely redshirt this season.
Drake DeIuliis, tight end
Count this as the name you’re most likely to misspell for the next 4-5 years. The tight end from Charlotte, NC. is listed at 6-foot-5, 220-pounds. DeIuliis could play in-line as a tight end or as an H-back. He could also line up at wide receiver in certain situations.
Dylan Rivers, linebacker
Virginia Tech secured Rivers’ commitment on January 22nd after the 4-star linebacker decommitted from Penn State. Rivers is listed at 6-foot-3, 230-pounds and could play inside at mike or outside at backer. Rivers is one of four linebackers in the Class of 2017.
Rayshard Ashby, linebacker
Ashby is another in-state linebacker headed to Blacksburg. Ashby has been a long-time commitment for Virginia Tech and should play inside linebacker. Ashby is listed at 5-foot-11, 230-pounds and is a 3-star recruit.
Nathan Proctor, defensive end
Defensive end was an obvious need for Virginia Tech in the ’17 class and the Hokies made sure to address it. Proctor is another 4-star recruit from Maryland who will add depth to the defense. Proctor is listed at 6-foot-3, 230-pounds.
Hezekiah Grimsley, wide receiver
Capehart’s flip makes Grimsley an even more important recruit. The in-state wideout should compete right away for limited playing time and could help Virginia Tech’s recruiting in the Tidewater area of Virginia. Grimsley is listed at 6-feet, 180-pounds and is a 3-star recruit.
Bryce Watts, defensive back
Virginia Tech unsurprisingly lists Watts as a defensive back, as the Hokies are rather thin there for the Class of 2017. Watts is listed at 6-foot-1, 185-pounds and will likely play cornerback. Watts is a 3-star recruit from Toms River, NJ.
Christian Darrisaw, offensive lineman
Darrisaw is the third lineman who will join Virginia Tech this offseason. He’s listed at 6-foot-4, 299-pounds and is a likely redshirt candidate. There is talk that Darrisaw may have to prep before enrolling with the Hokies.
Jaylen Griffin, linebacker
Griffin is another 3-star linebacker for the Hokies. The Georgia-native is listed at 6-foot-2, 230-pounds and should play outside linebacker. Griffin committed to the Hokies over the summer after reneging on a commitment to California.
Devon Hunter, safety
Hunter is the centerpiece of Virginia Tech’s Class of 2017. He’s TSL’s No. 1 player in Virginia and is listed by some scouting services as a 5-star recruit. Hunter’s recruitment was a tough battle and Tech’s win should help their cause in the 757 area of Virginia. Hunter is listed at 6-foot-2, 215-pounds.
Jalen Holston, running back
Holston is Virginia Tech’s lone tailback signee, and he joins a team that has lost Sam Rogers (graduation), Shai McKenzie (transfer), and Marshawn Williams (gave up football due to injuries). Holston is a 3-star recruit out of Georgia who goes 5-11, 200 pounds. He had over 30 offers.
Lecitus Smith, tight end
Smith is listed at 260-pounds, although he looks and blocks much larger. Smith is another 3-star recruit from Georgia and because of his versatility and size, could stay at tight end or possibly play on the offensive line.
Devante Smith, defensive back
Smith was the first commitment for the Class of 2017. Smith could line up at either cornerback or safety, depending on where the Hokies need him. Smith, who’s coming off of an ACL tear during his senior season, is listed at 6-feet, 190-pounds.
Robert Porcher IV, defensive lineman
Porcher is listed as a defensive end by most recruiting services, but at 6-foot-3, 255-pounds, he’ll likely move inside to play tackle. The 3-star recruit from Florida will fill a big need at defensive tackle this fall.
JBril Glaze, defensive lineman
Glaze is another “tweener” defensive lineman that will likely move inside to play tackle. He’s also another Florida recruit from Tampa. The 3-star recruit is currently listed at 6-foot-4, 270-pounds.
Sean Savoy, wide receiver
Savoy was the last commitment to send in his Letter of Intent. Nonetheless, he could be one of the better commitments in the Class of 2017. He’s an athletic wideout and should make an impact as a slot receiver. Savoy is a 3-star recruit and is listed at 5-foot-11, 180-pounds.
Signing Day Notes
Signing Day wasn’t without its drama, and the news was all bad for Virginia Tech. The Hokies lost longtime commitment WR Tahj Capehart, who reneged on his commitment to Virginia Tech and decided to sign with Maryland. Capehart made a late visit to Maryland last weekend and switched to the Terps on Signing Day.
Uncommitted recruits who decided to go elsewhere on Signing Day were CB Ameer Speed (Georgia), OL Mekhi Becton (Louisville), ATH Dazz Newsome (UNC) and DE Brad Johnson (South Carolina). Committed recruits who were in play for the Hokies but who decided to stay with their original commitments were Sean Nelson (Maryland) and Kofi Wardlow (who has not committed as of this writing, but who has eliminated Virginia Tech).
Note: Signing Day home page graphic via @HokiesFB Twitter.
Print
DeBose will announce Friday so quite possibly more good news to come. As for the success of Maryland: three words: (immediate) playing time, Washington (as in D.C. close by).
Excellent work for a coaching staff that started out at a real disadvantage, and did well in spite of that. Let’s coach ’em up, and go have another successful season. Thanks, coaches and support staff.
Just don’t see the draw to MD or SC, especially MD. Beatty could sell ice to an eskimo; he is one heck of a recruiter. At this point, I think DeBose is a must get.
You might want to look at 247’s recruiter of the year rankings. It is interesting to see how current and former VT coaches are ranked . They ranked 602 coaches and Bud led the way for VT. A couple of former coaches were a bit ahead of him but you have to consider the school. Stinespring was 602 and Shane was nowhere to be found.
Honestly I like the class. Win some lose some (generally lose the ones that aren’t a good fit anyway). I see a high 4*, several more 4* and only one 2*. Pretty solid and better than in recent years for sure. My only nit pick is that I would have liked to see 2 more OL and 2 more RB prospects in the fold.
Hokie Nation just got stronger.