Virginia Tech official impresses S.C. DE with Gamecocks, Vols trips next
The Latest: It's been assumed by many that in-state school South Carolina will be the eventual landing spot for three-star Pendleton, S.C. defensive end Brad Johnson. While that might eventually end up being the case, Johnson recently told Rivals.com that Virginia Tech is more than just a bit player in his recruitment. A recent visit to Blacksburg opened his eyes and now the Gamecocks will have a chance to state their case when he visits Columbia in mid-January. Johnson dished on the Hokies, Gamecocks and wildcard school Tennessee.
In His Words:
On his Virginia Tech official: “It set the bar pretty high. It was great all round. With the recruiting staff, they did an excellent job. I got to know everybody at Virginia Tech well. I got to tour the whole campus and talk to the whole coaching staff, academic advisors and they laid out my future schedule and what it would be like if I was to go there and the classes I would be taking. Just day-to-day life at that school.
On his fit in the Hokies scheme: "Coach Wiles the defensive line coach up there sat down with me and played some film and schematically I’d be a defensive end. He said that most people describe their defense as a 4-2-5 but he likes to say it’s a 2-2-2-5 with their two ends really being special linebackers and moving around and dropping into space. They like really letting them loose and rushing the edge and rushing the passer. Really their whole defensive line he uses them to move around and maximizes their abilities."
On his upcoming Jan. 13 South Carolina official visit: "Carolina has always showed me the most love. Virginia Tech is right there with them, but Carolina was the first school that really came along and showed me the most interest. Coach Muschamp’s staff when they got there they really showed me a ton of interest. They show a lot of love and I’m really looking forward to that visit."
On his Jan. 20 Tennessee official visit: "Coach Stripling has been talking to me for about a year. It’s always been in the back of my mind and one of those schools that I want to get at and see so with Virginia Tech and South Carolina being my Top 2, Tennessee is like a good third visit that I can fit in and try to find out some more so I can compare the schools. I went to the Tennessee-Alabama game earlier this year and it was pretty good. That kind of encouraged me even more to take an official visit. So I’m going in with an open mind."
Rivals Reaction: Johnson has been high on the Gamecocks for quite a while, but it's clear the trip to Virginia Tech really gave him something to think about. It will be interesting to see how things go on his South Carolina official visit as he will likely keep fans guessing until late January.