April 15 marks the start of the spring Evaluation Period for FBS-level football programs. During this period, which runs through May 31, a coach may use two evaluations per prospect (one for academics and another for athletics).
Virginia Tech’s coaches have obviously been busy with spring football the past several weeks, but on Wednesday they took to the road. Here is some news from the day…
Western Branch High School (Chesapeake, VA)
There are many stops to be made in the Tidewater area. According to Bruins assistant coach Jarome Bell, Tech’s Bryan Stinespring made Western Branch High School one of those stops on Wednesday. The primary target of Virginia Tech? 6’3″, 210-pound junior OLB/SS Arman Jones, who, according to 247Sports, has FBS offers from Navy and Oregon.
Always good to see and talk with @BryanStiney. @armanjones21 feeling real good right now after his chat. See you and @CoachBurdenVT May 6
— Jarome Bell (@CoachJaromeBell) April 15, 2015
Stafford High School (VA)
247Sports reports that Tech was represented at Stafford High School (VA), which features top offensive line prospect Josh Ball.
When I last spoke with the 6’7″, 310-pound junior in late March, he mentioned that Penn State, West Virginia and NC State had “caught my eye.” Since then he has made visits to Penn State and South Carolina. Florida State has now entered the race as well, coming through with an offer just this week.
Ball visited Virginia Tech in February. The trip went well, but at last check he didn’t have a definitive return date set to Virginia Tech. At this point I think Ball is likely to head out-of-state, but the Hokies remain in hot pursuit.
DeMatha Catholic (Hyattsville, MD)
Both Rivals and 247Sports report that Virginia Tech was represented at talent-rich DeMatha Catholic, a WCAC power. The Hokies have offers out to uncommitted DeMatha juniors Tino Ellis (WR) and Terrance Davis (OL).
North Carolina Notes
– Rivals tweeted the news that Virginia Tech stopped by Mount Tabor High School (Winston-Salem, N.C.) for wide receiver Divine Deablo. The junior reportedly (per Scout) plans to return the favor by attending Virginia Tech’s Spring Game on April 25.
– Virginia Tech extended a scholarship offer on Wednesday to Ardrey Kell (Charlotte, N.C.) wide receiver Ryan Jones, a 6’3″, 200-pound sophomore. Jones, who tweeted the news, now has six scholarship offers in total.
Check out highlights of the Tar Heel state standout below.
Winning does wonders for recruiting.
Gotta love the time and resources FSU spends on recruiting the top players in Virginia. It’s great for a national brand name to poach all of the talent it wants out of places like Stafford, Va. – Note: very envious and sarcastic reply here.