Virginia Tech Recruiting Notes (Free)

By: Chris Horne |

Basketball Recruiting

Adam Smith’s transfer opens up a scholarship for Virginia Tech in class of 2015 recruiting. Barring further attrition, the Hokies project to have 12 scholarship players on the roster in 2015/2016. This includes one senior (Shane Henry), three juniors (Seth Allen, Zach LeDay, Devin Wilson), five sophomores (Justin Bibbs, Ahmed Hill, Jalen Hudson, Malik Muller, Satchel Pierce) and three freshmen (Kerry Blackshear, Chris Clarke, Justin Robinson).

There is a clear need for more depth in the frontcourt, but it appears Buzz Williams has offered 4-star shooting guard Brandon Sampson of Madison Prep in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Sampson, the Times-Picayune All-Baton Rouge Area Small Schools Player of the Year as a senior, committed to St. John’s in January but is reevaluating his options following the departure of Steve Lavin. LSU, Mississippi State and SMU are among the other programs reportedly in hot pursuit of the 6’5″ shooting guard, and St. John’s remains involved as well.

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Corey Evans of NY2LA reports that Virginia Tech will have an in-home visit with St. Anne’s-Belfield (Charlottesville, VA) class of 2016 forward Javin Montgomery-DeLaurier on April 22. Vanderbilt (April 17) and Princeton (April 21) have in-homes scheduled as well.

DeLaurier, a very athletic combo forward, has offers from all three schools. Shaka Smart offered the 6’8″ junior as well after taking over the head job at the University of Texas. Smart had offered while at VCU.

FOOTBALL RECRUITING

The steady stream of recruits visiting for spring practice continues, with L.C. Bird (Chesterfield, VA) junior athlete Jalen Elliott and DeMatha Catholic (Hyattsville, MD) sophomore running back Anthony McFarland making their way to Blacksburg this week.

Elliott, a 6’2″, 175-pound prospect, plays quarterback and free safety for the defending 5A state champion Skyhawks. Virginia Tech offered initially as a defensive back, but wide receiver is another potential position for the versatile prospect. I’d say he’s more of an “athlete” in Virginia Tech’s eyes right now.

Both of Elliott’s parents attended Virginia Tech. Jalen, who has visited Blacksburg numerous times, appears to have enjoyed his most recent experience.

Following the trip to Tech, Elliott reported that he had received a scholarship offer from the University of Georgia, which represents his first SEC offer. Other offers include Virginia Tech, Marshall, NC State, Old Dominion and Wake Forest.

I still like Virginia Tech’s chances with Elliott, but he is going through the process. I plan to have more with the standout prospect soon.

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Tailback Anthony McFarland is just a sophomore but is already highly coveted, having received offers from Virginia Tech, Clemson, Florida State, Georgia, Maryland, Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State and Penn State, among others. He was in Blacksburg on Monday of this week and tweeted a picture (click here).

247Sports, which ranks the sophomore as a 5-star prospect, reports that Georgia is the current favorite.

Check out highlights of the 5’9″, 185-pound sophomore below.

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  2. Re: McFarland.

    He certainly has the vision, and by George he certainly has the quicks (every other play was him finding a seam and taking it home). I wonder how physical he can be between the tackles? Can he take on an extra 15, 20 lbs and maintain that speed?

    1. Don’t forget, that’s a sophomore in HS in that film. He looks like a man among boys and he’s probably not done developing yet.

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