1) This might be too captain obvious, but I will ask. Does Tech’s gap at mike linebacker right now open up a potential recruiting flip for a higher level prospect. I forgot the name, but heard some positive discussions around a flip if they didn’t get Cole (not a mike but an athletic freak). – Mark3216

CC: You’re talking about Maury linebacker Fred Johnson, who is ranked No. 3 in the state by 247. He is currently committed to South Carolina, though the Hokies were still actively recruiting him after his commitment this summer. Once the season starts, recruiting generally gets quiet, so I haven’t heard anything new. I would assume Tech is still recruiting him, however.

Johnson has a good frame and is a good athlete. However, nearly all of his junior season highlight tape is at wide receiver. The plays he does have on defense show him as an outside linebacker, either lined up outside the tackle box as an edge rusher, or even lined up over the slot. I don’t know what role he’s playing as a senior, but if it’s the same role, moving inside the tackle box to either will or mike would require a major adjustment. Some guys handle that better than others, but he doesn’t seem like a guy who could come in and start right away at one of the inside linebacker positions.

Tech’s recruiting of true inside linebackers has been spotty at best. It did a great job of landing Aycen Stevens, though his recruitment might have been a little on the light side with a torn ACL. The Hokies never lose a recruit to UVa these days, with one exception: Kamren Robinson, who is starting at inside linebacker as a true freshman and doing a pretty solid job so far.

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