Notes: Junior Day Produces Commitment

Virginia Tech’s football program hosted another “Junior Day” recruiting event this past Saturday, its second such event in a 2-week span.  Kalen McCain , one of the juniors in attendance, enjoyed the experience so much that he decided to commit to the Hokies.

Kalen McCain at VT’s Junior Day on April 6

“I am a VT HOKIE!!!!!” – McCain wrote on his Facebook page Sunday evening.

McCain, a 6’1″, 175-pound prospect out of Hillside High School in Durham (N.C.), played free safety this past season as a junior.  He finished the year with at least three interceptions, helping his team to an 8-3 overall record that included a perfect 7-0 mark in its conference.

In February, Louisville became the first school to offer a scholarship.  N.C. State and Virginia Tech followed suit.  McCain made unofficial visits to all three schools — including trips to Louisville and Virginia Tech this past week — before verbally committing to head coach Frank Beamer.

In my initial projections, I predicted the Hokies would take one or two safety prospects in the class of 2014.  I see McCain as a likely free safety prospect (though I will ask him where the Tech staff specifically sees him playing), so look for the staff to try and add a rover-type to the mix as well.  Thomas Dale’s (Chester, VA) CJ Reavis is one of the top targets at that position.  A third safety prospect, if Tech decides to go for more, could be a gray-shirt.

Virginia Tech no doubt would love to keep the recruiting success going at Hillside.  The Hokies have offers out to two more of the school’s rising seniors, including running back Donte Thomas-Williams and wide receiver Trevion Thompson .  Both prospects boast multiple major FBS offers, but both reportedly were at Ohio State this past weekend.

Elijah Hood

Charlotte Catholic (Charlotte, N.C.) running back Elijah Hood, one of the Tar Heel state’s top overall prospects in the class of 2014, was also in Blacksburg this past Saturday.  The 6’0″, 215-pound standout has indicated in recent articles that he would prefer to go to school closer to home, a decision that may have helped the Hokies secure a visit.  Attempts to reach Hood have been unsuccessful so far, but Hylton (Woodbridge, VA) rising senior quarterback/athlete Travon McMillian indicated that the coaches were all over the talented back on Saturday.

Georgia and UNC reportedly are Tech’s top competition at the moment.  The in-state Tar Heels could prove tough to beat ultimately, but I plan to check in with Hood for reaction on his visit to Tech.  After that, I hope to have a better feel for where the Hokies now stand.

Travon McMillian

If McMillian had any doubts about how badly the Tech coaches want him, those thoughts were alleviated on Saturday.

“It was really nice,” McMillian said of the Tech recruiting event experience.  “The coaches showed me a lot of love.  Basically, every coach on the staff knows who I am.  They said they feel like I’m a dynamic athlete who can contribute anywhere on the field.  They just want me on the field as soon as possible.”

Tech’s coaching staff is a big plus with the 6’0″, 195-pound prospect.

“The coaches at Virginia Tech have been there over 20-plus years.  Even if I go there, I know nothing would change, unlike a Cal or Georgia Tech,” McMillian said.  “The Virginia Tech coaches love me… they treated me like a God while I was there.  Frank Beamer kept walking up to me and talking to me over and over again.  The same with Coach Foster.  They said I’m a dynamic player.”

McMillian is a dual-threat quarterback at Hylton.  He wants a shot at playing quarterback on the major college level, something Tech is willing to offer.  The Tech coaches also mentioned wide receiver and safety as position possibilities, and McMillian is open to playing elsewhere if quarterback doesn’t pan out.

The Hylton product lists Cal, Georgia Tech,

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