Virginia Tech Widening Search for 2016 Defensive Linemen

Clay Dean
Clay Dean

Recruiting is a little bit slow right now. I don’t mean that as a derogatory comment. The Hokies are only taking around 20 players in this year’s class, give or take 1-2. They already have 11 commitments, which is approximately half of this class. It’s not like we’re going to be getting a commitment every week between now and Signing Day. They’ll be few and far between.

Today we’re going to focus on defensive line recruiting. Tech signed seven defensive linemen in the 2015 class. However, those numbers are misleading, especially at defensive tackle. Eric Whitehead didn’t qualify, and he’ll go the JUCO route. Who knows if he’ll ever end up in Blacksburg? The Hokies haven’t taken a JUCO recruit since James Griffin in 2003. Yosuah Nijman has already been moved to offensive tackle. Tim Settle’s status is still up in the air, though we have reason to feel more confident now than we did during the spring.

As far as defensive end goes, Darius Fullwood could outgrow the position and end up at defensive tackle. On the other hand, Tremaine Edmunds could outgrow linebacker and wide up at defensive end (or possibly tight end).

In all likelihood, any 2016 defensive end recruit would redshirt and then begin playing in 2017. Let’s take a look at the current defensive ends who will be on the roster in 2017 and beyond.

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