Hokies Welcome Big Man

The Virginia Tech Hokies have added another big, talented and versatile defensive lineman to the fold.

"Carlton committed last evening," said the father of Carlton Powell, a 6-foot-4, 290-pound defensive tackle from Chesapeake (Va.) Great Bridge. "Virginia Tech was the first school to offer him, they recruited him the hardest and he felt good about where the program is going and that they'll stay on top for quite some time."

Despite the commitment, Powell's father said his son will probably still take a few other visits.

"We've been to a few places already and some other schools are still recruiting him," he said. "Now that he's committed, they might back off but he still wants to take a look at Virginia, East Carolina, Maryland and maybe North Carolina again. He's fairly certain of his decision, but he's only verbally committed at this point."

Powell, who runs in the 5.0-second 40-yard dash range and bench presses 560 pounds, has grown from a linebacker into a full fledged defensive lineman.

"He'll probably play defensive tackle at Tech or maybe even some defensive end," his father said. "He played linebacker as a junior at 255 pounds and now he's around 290 but he hasn't lost any speed at all."

Powell has offers from Virginia, East Carolina and William & Mary and his father thinks Maryland and UNC are next.

"They've requested some film from this year," he said. "I think when they see it, they'll offer as well. Virginia Tech is a very good school and it has everything Carlton needs, but he just wants to make sure. I'm not sure if they'll be official trips or not, but we'll get to some other campuses soon."