While most of college football has been put on hold, recruiting marches on. The class of 2021 has seen a wave of commitments since the start of April, and the team rankings have adjusted to reflect growing classes. We are taking a snapshot of each class in their order of the Rivals Team Rankings, and continue today with a look at the Virginia Tech Hokies.
VIRGINIA TECH'S COMMITMENT LIST
CLASS OF 2021 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Position | Team | State
CLASS OF 2022: Top 100
MORE: Rivals Transfer Tracker | Rivals Camp Series
VIRGINIA TECH
Current rank: 55
Number of commits: 6
Top commits: Four-star WR Latrell Neville (No. 55 at his position), three-star DT Tyas Martin (No. 22), three-star ATH Nyeklius Johnson
Top targets: Four-star OT Tristan Leigh (No. 28 overall), four-star OLB Naquan Brown (No. 133), four-star WDE Landyn Watson (No. 19 at his position)
LOCAL REACTION
“The Hokies built some momentum on the trail late in the fall through early spring, but things took a major step back recently with the decommitment of their top pledge, four-star quarterback Dematrius Davis. While there's a chance that Davis returns to the fold down the road, VT is in need of a great class after 2020 turned out to be a disappointing one. That will require a new source of momentum - whether the 'Texas 2 VT' movement continues without its ringleader Davis, or if the staff focuses on recruiting areas in which the program has more traditionally had success.
"With just six commitments to date, there's plenty of room left in a class that projects to be a big one. The staff needs to start landing top prospects (Neville is the only four-star in the bunch at this point) in order to get the ball rolling downhill.” - Tim Sullivan, HokieHaven.com
NATIONAL REACTION
“Virginia Tech suffered a blow losing Davis, but things are looking up for the Hokies because they have a lot of highly rated targets still on the board. In-state recruiting has become a bit of an issue for Virginia Tech but there is some potential for movement on that front. A renewed effort with many in-state prospects could pay dividends down the road.
“The effects of the pandemic could help teams in talented states like Virginia keep impressive prospects from leaving the state. Look for Virginia Tech to push that message with players like Leigh, Brown, Malcolm Johnson, and Kelvin Gilliam.” - Adam Friedman, East Coast analyst
