Virginia Tech’s latest verbal commitment was from Andre Smith, a 6-4 ½, 235-pound tight end/defensive end out of Seneca Valley High School in Germantown, Maryland. Smith, who becomes the third player from the state of Maryland to commit to the Hokies, is the ninth overall commitment in Virginia Tech’s 2006 class. He chose Tech over offers from Virginia, Marshall and Kansas, among others.

As a junior last season, Smith, a two-way player, made eight catches for 200 yards and three touchdowns on offense and had 70 tackles with four sacks on defense. He played tight end and defensive end, respectively. Very athletic, Smith posted a 4.28 shuttle time at the Nike camp at Penn State. His time was the second fastest among tight end recruits. He also posted a 29-inch vertical leap at the same event.

“For one, he without question has Division 1A size,” Seneca Valley head coach Fred Kim said. “He’s 6-4 1/2, 235 pounds. He’s athletic, he runs like a deer, he has great hands, great range, his hips are very good, he learns fast and he’s a great blocker. He has great feet and all the tools to be an excellent Division 1A player. I have all kinds of plans for him this year. He’s athletic enough to play receiver, so we’re going to line him up at tight end and also split him out at receiver sometimes. He also plays defense. Some schools really liked him at defensive end. Virginia Tech liked his ability on both sides of the ball. I think he’s a natural tight end on the next level.”

According to Kim, Virginia Tech, led by primary recruiter Tony Ball, offered Smith after seeing him at the NFL Player Development camp in Damascus, Maryland, during the month of May. Tech was one of the first schools to offer.

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