Virginia Tech Football Recruiting: National Signing Day 2014 Preview

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

National Signing Day is just about here for the Class of 2014 and the Virginia Tech Hokies will be one of many programs hoping to finish strong with this year’s recruiting class as every team hopes to win the first College Football Playoff. The Hokies’ current recruiting class is currently ranked 22nd by Rivals, 26th by 247 Sports, and 29th by ESPN. However, the Hokies could see that ranking jump by a significant amount or fall some spots on what should be an intriguing National Signing Day for the Hokies. Our list of commits only includes players that are committed with scholarships so this does not include kickers Michael Santamaria and Joey Slye who are walk-on commits. Now, here is how the Virginia Tech recruiting class is currently looking with the 24 regular commits and the 2 prep school commits (Holland Fisher and D.J. Reid):

Virginia Tech’s 4 Early Enrolees

Shai McKenzie-RB-Washington, PA (Washington)
Marshawn Williams-RB-Hampton, VA (Phoebus)
Vincent Mihota-DE-Fredericksburg, VA (Massaponax)
Andrew Ford-QB-Camp Hill, PA (Cedar Cliff)

Virginia Tech’s 22 Non-Early Enrollment Commits

Holland Fisher-S-Fork Union, VA (Fork Union)
Javon Harrison-ATH-Lakeland, FL (Kathleen)
Travon McMillian-ATH-Woodbridge, VA (C.D. Hylton)
Chris Durkin-QB-Youngstown, OH (Ursuline)
Ricky Walker-DT-Hampton, VA (Bethel)
D.J. Reid-RB-Fork Union, VA (Fork Union)
Melvin Keihn-LB-Baltimore, MD (Gilman)
Cameron Phillips-WR-Hyattsville, MD (DeMatha Catholic)
C.J. Reavis-S-Chester, VA (Thomas Dale)
Cole Pettit-OG-Hamler, OH (Patrick Henry)
Kendrick Holland-WR-Winter Haven, FL (Winter Haven Senior)
Xavier Burke-TE-Lawrenceville, VA (Brunswick)
Billy Ray Mitchell-OG-Paramus, NJ (Paramus Catholic)
Eric Gallo-OC-Southampton, VA (Council Rock South)
Kevin Bronson-DE-Delray Beach, FL (Village Academy)
Terrell Edmunds-CB-Ringgold, VA (Dan River)
Jaylen Bradshaw-WR-Chesapeake,VA (Oscar Smith)
Tabyus Taylor-ATH-Hopewell, VA (Hopewell)
Greg Stroman-ATH-Manassas, VA (Stonewell Jackson)
Steve Sobczak-DT-Fredericksburg, VA (Massaponax)
Shawn Payne-ATH-Chesterfield, VA (Lloyd C. Bird)
Tyrell Smith-OT-Ramsey, NJ (Don Bosco Prep)

Virginia Tech’s Top Targets

Derrick Nnadi-DT-Virginia Beach, VA (Ocean Lakes): Derrick Nnadi has been the top target for the Hokies for a while and one of their toughest rivals, Virginia, might already be out after Nnadi said on Twitter that he had made a decision before his official visit at Virginia. Ohio State and Florida State are also making strong charges but Nnadi seems to be the Hokies to lose. Derrick Nnadi will announce at 8:00 A.M. EST on National Signing Day.
Isaiah McKenzie-WR-Fort Lauderdale, FL (American Heritage): McKenzie’s recruiting has been a wild ride with the Hokies possibly getting McKenzie despite only recruiting him for two weeks due mainly to how McKenzie grew up a fan of the Hokies. Ole Miss and Florida are still right in the mix while Georgia offered a scholarship Monday and might pull off a massive steal though. This one is wide open and McKenzie will announce at 8:15 A.M. EST on National Signing Day.
Raymon Minor-ATH-Richmond, VA (Benedictine): Raymon Minor seemed likely at one point to choose either Nebraska or Virginia Tech but the Cornhuskers seem out with Marshall now being the only likely challenger. Expect the Hokies to get Minor.
Isaiah Ford-WR-Jacksonville, FL (Trinity Christian Acadamy): Isaiah Ford is a potential two-sport guy and the Hokies seem to be the frontrunner but the former Louisville commit is still also considering the Cardinals, South Carolina, and Miami. This one seems to be the Hokies to lose.
Anthony Scott-RB-Virginia Beach, VA (Green Run): Anthony Scott seemed at one point to be likely to commit to Virginia Tech but Scott might not get much of an opportunity to play. Old Dominion is emerging quickly and they have a great chance at being able to keep Scott in the Virginia Beach area while East Carolina also is in the hunt. Old Dominion’s ability to give Scott more playing time makes them the favorites.

Three Storylines to Watch

Can the Hokies hold on to Javon Harrison? There have been tons of rumors about Javon Harrison over the last couple of weeks with the Florida State Seminoles being the team of focus. The Seminoles have taken advantage of their national title to gain a lot of momentum in recruiting and many people see Harrison as a guy that is likely to flip. However, Frank Beamer won’t give up without a fight and this will be one thing to definitely watch.
Can the Hokies seal the deal for Derrick Nnadi? Derrick Nnadi is not only the biggest recruit for the Hokies because of his talent but also because of Virginia Tech’s failures to get players from the Virginia Beach area like Andrew Brown, Quin Blanding, and Jamil Kamara who all went to Virginia. Nnadi would give the Hokies a lot of momentum looking ahead towards a 2015 class that could be better within the state of Virginia than this strong class.
Will there be any surprises? Isaiah McKenzie seems ready to surprise a lot of people no matter what he does but will the Hokies get someone unexpected or miss out on someone that seemed certain to go to Blacksburg. National Signing Day always seems to have some twists and turns but the good news for the Hokies is that the only man that could pull a surprise is Isaiah McKenzie, especially since the Javon Harrison battle is quite competitive with Florida State.

Stay with Fighting Gobbler for the best coverage of the Virginia Tech Hokies on National Signing Day 2014.