Isaiah McKenzie and Raymon Minor take their official visits at Virginia Tech

Jan 2, 2014; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Team Nitro wide receiver Isaiah McKenzie (9) runs with the ball during the second half at Tropicana Field. Team Highlight defeated the Team Nitro 31-21. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

This is a massive weekend coming up on the recruiting trail for the Hokies as not only is it the final weekend before National Signing Day but two of the Hokies’ top targets are also making their official visits in Blacksburg this weekend along with commit Tabyus Taylor. 4-star receiver Isaiah McKenzie and 3/4-star athlete Raymon Minor are making their official visits to Blacksburg this weekend and both are now two of the Hokies’ top targets as they apporach this recruiting cycle’s National Signing Day. Let’s take a look at the Hokies’ chances of getting both Isaiah McKenzie and Raymon Minor to commit to Virginia Tech.

Isaiah McKenzie is seen as a four-star athlete by ESPN, Rivals, and 247 Sports but despite being seen as an athlete, most are sure that McKenzie will end up at receiver and likely as a return man also. McKenzie had Notre Dame, Ole Miss, and Florida as his top three but it all started to change when reports about Virginia Tech being McKenzie’s dream school emerged. Virginia Tech offered McKenzie recently and the Hokies surged to the top of the list with Ole Miss and Florida. Meanwhile, Notre Dame was told that McKenzie has eliminated them despite how the Fighting Irish helped McKenzie become NCAA eligible academically.

McKenzie was not even planning on visiting Blackburg a week ago but the Hokies now have an excellent opportunity to seal the deal this weekend before he announces at 8:15 A.M. EST. Florida has the proximity to home advantage but Florida seems to be the long shot of the three programs still in the hunt for McKenzie. Ole Miss seems like the co-favorites with Virginia Tech after having McKenzie in Oxford last week but the Hokies have the chance to put themselves in the lead to get his commitment on National Signing Day.

Meanwhile, athlete Raymon Minor, a three-star recruit by ESPN and a four-star recruit by Rivals and 247 Sports, also comes to Blacksburg this weekend with the Hokies in the lead entering the weekend. Raymon Minor has been one of the Hokies’ main targets down the stretch on the recruiting trail and Frank Beamer will be ready to make the pitch that he has to make to get Minor to commit this weekend. Minor would be a big addition as he seems likely to be a linebacker at the collegiate level which they could use with Melvin Keihn being the only linebacker in the current Virginia Tech recruiting class.

Nebraska for a while was the top threat to challenge the Hokies for Minor and seemed to be the leader at some points. However, Nebraska’s official visit has probably come too early as the Cornhuskers seem to have fallen out of the race. The top threat to the Hokies is surprisingly Marshall as the Thundering Hurd are hoping to pull off a surprise and get Minor as one of their signature commits. The Hokies have the chance to close the door and get Minor to commit this weekend which seems likely though we’ll just have to see.