Virginia Tech Recruiting Update: Explosive Independence Day for Hokies

Virginia Tech recruiting Jordan McFadden
Jordan McFadden is the second offensive line commitment for Virginia Tech recruiting in the Class of 2018. (Photo via @jmac_2332 on Twitter)

Virginia Tech recruiting saw their momentum continue last week, as the Hokies grabbed two more commitments at two important positions. Tech saw two other targets narrow down their top lists, but are there spots left for them? All that and more in this week’s recruiting update.

Steward fills running back spot for Hokies

Virginia Tech sought to take one running back for the Class of 2018, and filled that spot early last Tuesday with Caleb Steward.

Virginia Tech is getting an interesting prospect in Steward. The 5-foot-10, 203-pound back from Jacksonville, Fla. is rated as a 2-star recruit by Rivals, but a 3-star recruit by 247Sports. Steward holds over a dozen offers, mostly from Group of 5 schools. However, Power 5 schools Wake Forest, Purdue, Boston College and Duke offered as well. 

Per 247Sports, Steward finished the 2016 season with 109 carries, 684 yards and nine touchdowns. This was despite the fact that Steward hasn’t been used as a primary option, and is expected to see an increased workload at Ed White High School this season. 

Steward gives the Hokies a running back with good size who’s also very athletic. At The Opening regional in Orlando, Steward ran a 4.55-second 40-yard-dash and a 4.34-second 20-yard-shuttle, both of which are impressive times.

McFadden beefs up offensive line class

The good news for Virginia Tech continued later on July 4, as offensive lineman Jordan McFadden announced his commitment to the Hokies in splashing fashion.

McFadden is a 6-foot-4, 280-pound lineman from Roebuck, S.C. He’s rated as a 3-star recruit by both Rivals and 247Sports, but holds a dozen Power 5 offers and had a final group of Tech, Rutgers, Michigan State and Duke.

Virginia Tech needed McFadden. He represents a big get for the Hokies at a position that needs an influx of talent and numbers. McFadden already has good size, and has the ability to play at multiple spots along the offensive line. The rising senior at Dorman High School is one of the more underrated recruits in the Class of 2018 for the Hokies, and could prove to be an excellent find. He’s also teammates with 2019 wide receiver Jacoby Pinckney, a 4-star prospect the Hokies have already offered.

Tech still needs to add a couple more offensive linemen for this class, but McFadden is a step in the right direction. 

Boykin, Durant come off the board

Virginia Tech saw two notable targets commit elsewhere last week as well, with cornerback Noah Boykin committing to Maryland and running back Mataeo Durant committing to Duke.

Boykin was a target earlier in the process, but things changed once Virginia Tech began to fill up in the secondary. Maryland was considered the favorite for a while, and the D.C. native should be a good fit there.

Durant, at one point, was the top running back on Virginia Tech’s board. He took two unofficial visits to Blacksburg, and the Hokies were in his top group. However, once Steward entered the picture for Tech, it became clear Durant was unlikely to end up with the Hokies. 

Waller, Spalding narrow lists

Defensive back Jermaine Waller narrowed his remaining schools to seven last week, including Virginia Tech.

Waller is a 6-foot-2, 180-pound corner from Gaithersburg, Md. and is rated as a 3-star prospect by both Rivals and 247Sports. Waller holds five Power 5 offers, and all of them are in his top-7.

Of those seven schools, Virginia Tech seems to be highest on Waller’s list right now. However, with six likely defensive backs committed to the Hokies as of now, and Kalon Gervin highly considering Virginia Tech as well, there could be a numbers problem. Gervin and Waller seem to be the highest remaining defensive backs for Virginia Tech.

Wide receiver Dillon Spalding also narrowed down his remaining schools, naming a top-5. 

Spalding holds several Power 5 offers, and is rated as a 3-star recruit by Rivals and 247Sports. The 6-foot-3, 215-pound receiver from Lorton, Va. is one of the top-10 players in the state of Virginia, according to 247Sports.

Wide receiver is another position where the numbers are a little tight. Virginia Tech holds commitments from Darryle Simmons and Tre Turner, both of whom seem solid in their commitments. Daniel George is the top target left for the Hokies at wide receiver, while James Mitchell and Kyle Pitts could also fill a receiver/tight end hybrid role for the Hokies.

4 Responses You are logged in as Test

  1. Ricky – not that it matters but do you think Stewards star rating goes up if he’s “the man” this year and puts up bigger numbers?

    1. It could go up, depending on how things go. We’ll definitely re-evaluate after the season.

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