Gabriel Arena
Offensive Tackle, Class of 2023
Bishop McDevitt, Harrisburg, PA
6-5, 285
Virginia Tech picked up a commitment from 2023 offensive tackle Gabriel Arena on Friday afternoon. He is the fourth commitment of the 2023 recruiting class, and the third offensive lineman. He is the second offensive tackle commit of the class.
Arena plays for Bishop McDevitt in Harrisburg, PA, which is an area that head coach Brent Pry, offensive coordinator Tyler Bowen and offensive line coach Joe Rudolph know very well. Bishop McDevitt is one of the top football programs in the state, finishing No. 2 in the final state rankings at the 4A level in 2021.
Arena is rated as the No. 24 prospect in the state of Pennsylvania by 247Sports, and No. 19 by On3. Tech was his first Power 5 offer, and he chose the Hokies over Marshall, Temple, Bowling Green, Buffalo, Kent State, Toledo, and several other Group of 5 programs.
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Stack that O-line w good fits (like Gabriel), coach them up, and let the cream rise to the starting positions.
If they’re not being recruited by other Power 5 schools, but they are by the Ivys or the service academies, then at least we know they are smart and likely don’t have character issues.
First P5 offer for a top 25 Pennsylvania player?
First P5 offer for a top 25 Pennsylvania player?>>>>
It’s early – most of these rating agencies haven’t gathered enough info to accurately rate most of these players – mainly because they aren’t getting any personal evaluations from reliable sources. So – they’re waiting for the elite of the P5 schools to make the evaluation for them. Think about it. What happens if Arena gets offers from Michigan and Ohio State in the next couple of weeks? Did he all of a sudden get better?
Will have to be able to keep guys like this when other schools start bringing money
Read this…both he and his family seem VERY appreciative of Coach Joe and the Hokie reception he has received on campus. Having former Penn State coaches at the helm was a sweetener.
https://www.on3.com/college/virginia-tech-hokies/news/3-star-offensive-lineman-gabriel-arena-commits-to-virginia-tech/
They might get very appreciative of 50 K NIL as well.
Why? He is not offered by any p5 school. If we have to NIL someone to beat out the MAC, then we are struggling.
In Joe we trust!!
Welcome to Hokie Nation, Gabriel! Although originally from Rochester, I now live in the Harrisburg area (Camp Hill / Mechanicsburg) and have been following your career… you’ve made an EXCELLENT decision and we’re going to be rooting for you!
You know after taking two OL that don’t have great P5 offer lists. I have to trust that Rudolph and Pry know what they are doing or that would be offering these kids. Don’t have any reason not to trust them at this point.
Rudolph has seen OL talent and he’s familiar with the coaches bringing these kids along. I have no concerns with his offers…like mike young he has a system and he selects for fit. His lines at Whisky would crunch you.
Can’t wait for Hokies to get that “they will crunch you” reputation & it just may come.
I agree, however, if Coach Fu was still here, some would be complaining about how we are his first P5 offer… just sayin’
Maybe the most on point comment in a long while. Funny how the similar actions are perceived differently depending on who’s name is associated with them. I am taking the Missouri approach to all of this. The people in charge of making these kinds of decisions are professionals in their profession, and I trust they are doing what they feel is best for the program. I am just really glad my livelihood does not depend on the actions of 17-22 year old males.
Lots of “Professionals” in THEIR profession get fired.
That said, looks like a good get to me.
And, the defense of our country depends mainly on 18 to 22 year old males – I feel pretty good about that.
True dat but I don’t need to say it now. , you did. I’ll say this, Fu was horrible and we will take the best we can get now and coach them up as every team does. This looks like a good get I don’t know why he wasn’t recruited by bigger programs, but there you have it. I hope he makes those big time programs wonder what they missed.
Not for an OL recruit. Vice showed he could coach up lower ranked players. WR, RB, etc. OTOH …………
He was originally recruited by Vance Vice. So there is a consensus here. He has also visited the Burg on several recruiting occasions so there is the plus of him liking what he has seen.