1) Many, including Frank Beamer, said Cornell Brown changed the perception of Virginia Tech football on the recruiting trail when he signed with the Hokies in the class of 1993. For reference, he was the No. 2 player in the Commonwealth, per the Roanoke Times. Brent Pry is currently working on completing his second full recruiting class in Blacksburg. 2023 was his first. Including Thursday’s commitment of Keylen Adams, when you look back on the 2023 and 2024 classes in five or 10 years, who do you think might be considered as the player who changed the perception on the recruiting trail in the Pry era? And in terms of a coach, one could say Jim Cavanaugh was that catalyst for VT on the trail. Is Fontel Mines to Brent Pry as Jim Cavanaugh was to Frank Beamer? – David Cunningham

Chris Coleman: The Cornell Brown stuff I consider to be true, but I also think the impact is overblown. I do think in-state recruits noticed it. For example, in the 1994 class, the Hokies pulled four top-10 prospects from the state, which was a brand new thing for them…

No. 2: RB Ken Oxendine, Thomas Dale, Chester, VA
No. 4: LB Tony Morrison, Indian River, Chesapeake, VA
No. 8: RB Marcus Parker, Salem, Salem, VA
No. 10 TE/DE Todd Wheatley, Low Moor, Allegheny, VA

They also signed No. 12 Todd Washington, who was just outside the top 10. Winning games in 1993, plus seeing a major recruit like Cornell Brown have success as a true freshman, certainly helped Tech’s recruiting efforts in 1994.

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