Virginia Tech 2017 Recruiting Nights Recap

James Shibest
Special teams coordinator James Shibest was a big hit at the Charlotte Recruiting Night. (photo: Ivan Morozov)

The following is input from TSL’ers who attended the Recruiting Nights around the state and the region on Tuesday, February 2nd, the day after Signing Day. Here are the recruiting nights that were held. Note that we did not receive feedback from every session … the ones where we received reports are starred:

  • * Charlotte: Special Teams Coach James Shibest
  • * Tidewater: Running Backs Coach Zohn Burden
  • * Roanoke: Offensive Coordinator/QB Coach Brad Cornelsen
  • * Richmond: Safeties Coach Galen Scott
  • * Northern Virginia: Wide Receivers Coach Holmon Wiggins
  • Lynchburg: Offensive Line Coach Vance Vice
  • Charlottesville: Cornerbacks Coach Brian Mitchell

We compiled input from 12 different message board posts and emails in an attempt to summarize the information relayed at the events.

A caveat: all of the information here is second hand, so while some of it is accurate, some of it may not be. And it may be accurate at this point in time, but the staff might change their mind on some things, particularly during and after spring football, and in August before the season starts.

But here’s what was passed on to us.

The Bishop Sullivan Situation

Multiple reports indicate that the Virginia Tech staff doesn’t think there will be issues recruiting at Bishop Sullivan High School in the wake of the Tahj Capehart situation. Justin Fuente and Zohn Burden have both talked to Bishop Sullivan head coach Chris Scott, and both feel that the relationship with Scott and Bishop Sullivan is fine. One report even said that Scott talked to Burden and “loves him” (whatever that means).

The decommitment of Tavyion Land (2019 class) was related to what happened with Capehart, but longterm ill effects at Bishop Sullivan are not anticipated.

General Recruiting Nights Comments

For the 2018 recruiting cycle, the staff will recruit taller WRs. The best ones this year just weren’t that tall.

Virginia Tech does not give noncommittable offers because they have to go back into that school the next year. Big-time powers that can recruit all across the country give noncommittable offers because they don’t have to go back to the high school for next year and face up.

The coaches are not worried about not having a featured back, and they know that it is a negative recruitment against them, but they countered by saying no one has a featured back anymore, and no one in the NFL is even a featured back anymore.

Information on 2017 Recruits

First, one that got away: Khalan Laborn actually committed to the Hokies in the spring but wanted to announce later. The Tech coaches found out he was not committing to VT when he publicly committed to Florida State with the Lamborghini  stunt.

Specifically mentioned as likely to play and make impact as true freshman: Caleb Farley, Jalen Holston, Devon Hunter, and to a lesser extent, Terius Wheatley.

Devon Hunter: There will be an offensive package for Devon Hunter, though one report said “potential package.” Zohn Burden said at the Tidewater event that

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