Tech Lands Top OL

Clifton (Va.) Centreville offensive tackle Matt Welsh originally listed Tennessee as his early favorite. However, that changed very quickly over the last few weeks.

"It was always three teams for me -- Tennessee, Virginia Tech and Virginia," said the 6-foot-5, 275-pounder who committed to Virginia Tech on Tuesday. "I had been down to Tech a few times for spring practice and was just there on Sunday and they just started to enter my mind more and more. Tennessee wasn't showing alot of interest and I knew Tech was taking only two o-linemen so it fit. I knew that Tech was where I wanted to be."

Welsh, considered by many to be the top offensive lineman in Virginia, had offers from all three of his favorites. So did the Tom Lemming photo shoot held in Blacksburg, Va. on Sunday have anything to do with his final decision?

"Maybe a little bit because getting back to Blacksburg was just a reminder of how much I liked it there," he said. "But I had been there enough to know I wanted to play there anyhow."

Welsh expects to play offensive tackle at Tech, but doesn't really have a preference.

"Wherever I can fit in," he said. "I might end up as a guard, but I'm not really concerned. I just want to gain as much weight as possible without getting out of shape. I hope to be around 300 pounds by the time I arrive at Tech."