The Virginia Tech coaches ended yesterday’s one-day camp early — in the afternoon before the one-on-ones — due to inclement weather, but Frank Beamer and company saw all they needed to see to extend several new scholarship offers following the event.
Before getting to those offers, though, here is a rundown of those recruits who were on hand for unofficial visits. (Note: I plan to catch up with many prospects from the camp for individual updates in the coming days and weeks. TSL Pass subscribers will be able to read more on these prospects in those reports.)
– Fresh off his trip out West for Nike’s The Opening, cornerback Mook Reynolds was back in Blacksburg visiting Virginia Tech. The Hokie class of 2015 commit seemed to enjoy the day, spending most of his time alongside Torrian Gray, who actually enlisted the help of Reynolds during afternoon drills. Gray had Reynolds throw passes to defensive backs during the afternoon drills, and I have to say Reynolds throws a good deep ball.
During the day Mook spoke with uncommitted class of 2015 prospects Jahque Alleyne and Tremaine Edmunds. He also spoke with Tech players and other Tech coaches, including Aaron Moorehead, who was having a good time with several recruits following the camp.
Reynolds, who committed to the Hokies this past February, has not hidden the fact that he is considering other schools. Did this experience change anything? I’ll catch up with the talented prospect this week to find out.
– Oscar Smith (Chesapeake, VA) class of 2015 running back Deshawn McClease made the trek to Blacksburg. This is the 5’9”, 175-pound prospect’s final visit to Tech before he announces his college choice. McClease, who has Maryland as his other finalist, will announce his commitment tomorrow.
– As mentioned above, Ocean Lakes (Virginia Beach, VA) athlete Jahque Alleyne and Dan River (Ringgold, VA) product Tremaine Edmunds were at Tech yesterday as well. Neither player participated in the camp, as they were just there on unofficial visits.
Alleyne has a top six of East Carolina, Kentucky, Louisville, Oregon, Virginia and Virginia Tech. Edmunds, a player with potential as an outside linebacker, defensive end or tight end, is an impressive looking specimen at 6’4”. I’ll catch up with both for more on their recruitments this week.
– As expected, class of 2016 quarterback Brandon McIlwain was at Tech yesterday. The Council Rock North (Newtown, PA) signal caller decided to participate in the camp and impressed, showing very good zip on his passes. The 6’1”, 205-pound prospect received some pointers from offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Scot Loeffler, who he says he has developed a good relationship with so far.
Up next for McIlwain are visits to Penn State and South Carolina later this month. Stay tuned for the rising junior’s thoughts on Tech following his first ever experience in Blacksburg.
OFFERS
Lawrence Cager, a 6’5” wide receiver out of Calvert Hall (Towson, MD), impressed me in morning and afternoon drills with his size, hands and athleticism. It was no surprise to learn that he scored an offer from Tech following the camp.
According to 247Sports, Maryland, North Carolina, Rutgers and Syracuse are among the schools that offered Cager prior to the trip to Tech. Ohio State headlines the list of schools expressing serious interest. I plan to catch up with the promising class of 2015 prospect for more soon, but in the meantime click here to read a recent feature on him by the Baltimore Sun.
In addition to Cager, Virginia Tech extended offers to at least two class of 2016 prospects and one class of 2017 recruit.
Jalen Elliott, a 6’2”, 175-pound wide receiver and returner for Hanover High School (Mechanicsville, VA) last season, began his day with the quarterbacks before quickly moving to receivers. After lunch, the standout rising junior moved to the defensive backs and quickly caught Torrian Gray’s attention. Coach Gray gave him several compliments throughout the afternoon drills.
Elliott could be an “athlete” recruit, but he told me following the camp that Coach Gray wants him as a defensive back. Tech is the second school to offer, joining Old Dominion. The Hokies could be very tough to beat here, though, because both of Elliott’s parents went to Virginia Tech.
After spending his first two years at Hanover, Elliott will transfer to LC Bird for his junior year. He expects to be the Skyhawks’ starting quarterback next season.
JJ Givens, who is listed at 6’2” but may be close to 6’3”, has good length and is a fluid athlete. Virginia Tech offered the Atlee (Mechanicsville, VA) product as a safety. Like Elliott, Givens has one other offer at this time, only his offer is from Liberty University.
Click here for Elliott’s sophomore season highlights. Click here for Givens’ sophomore season highlights.
On the class of 2017 front, Recruit757.com reports that Virginia Tech offered Tahj Capehart, a 5’10”, 175-pound cornerback, following the camp.
MORE NOTES
– Florida class of 2016 quarterback Augie DeBiase participated in the camp as well. The 6’1″ signal caller reportedly has an offer from the Hokies.
All I gotta say is I really love VT, Coach Beamer, and Coach Loefller.
— Augie DeBiase (@Augied5) July 14, 2014
– Xavier Burke was on hand helping out with the camp. Burke, a tight end prospect out of Brunswick (Lawrenceville, VA), signed with the Hokies this past February but did not qualify. He is expected to attend Fork Union this fall for postgraduate work with the intention of enrolling at Tech in January of 2015.
– Trey Edmunds, Kendall Fuller, Brandon Facyson, Wyatt Teller, Caleb Farris, Nigel Williams and Andrew Ford were some of the players spotted at the camp. Fuller helped out Coach Gray by demonstrating certain drills. Fuller and Facyson were among the speakers to the prospects at camp’s end. Edmunds, recovering from a leg injury, seemed to be walking around just fine.
– Following Frank Beamer’s post-camp address, Bryan Stinespring introduced Kevin Jones to the campers.
– Spotted freshman basketball recruits Justin Bibbs and Satchel Pierce walking around.
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