Virginia Tech Football Recruiting: Why the Hokies need to aggressively go after Tim Settle
By Tim Thomas
Nov 30, 2013; Charlottesville, VA, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies head coach Frank Beamer stands in a huddle against the Virginia Cavaliers in the second quarter at Scott Stadium. The Hokies won 16-6. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
The Hokies did a solid job with the Class of 2014 but there was tons of disappointment with recruiting in Virginia with 5-star recruits Da’Shawn Hand, Quin Blanding, and Andrew Brown all choosing schools other than Virginia Tech. The Hokies know that the Class of 2014 could have been stronger but that class has a huge ceiling and the potential to have early-impact players. However, the Hokies know that they have to start doing a better job at recruiting the best players in the state of Virginia with a class that has a lot of four-stars but only one player that is almost certain to be a five-star.
That is defensive tackle Tim Settle from Stonewall Jackson High School in Manassas, Virginia.
Tim Settle has to be the top target for the Hokies no matter their chance as Settle would be the best way for Frank Beamer and Virginia Tech to reestablish their dominance in recruiting Virginian players. Settle would make tons of headlines for the Hokies and send a major statement to the rest of college football on the recruiting trail that the Hokies are definitely on the rise. Settle would also provide the Hokies with a guy who could become the next Kendall Fuller and Brandon Facyson in terms of having an immediate-impact as a freshman. However, the Hokies’ odds aren’t very good for getting Settle but they could still have a really good class without him so why is it important that the Hokies make a strong run at him.
Sep 21, 2013; Blacksburg, VA, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies defensive tackle Luther Maddy (92) reacts after sacking Marshall Thundering Herd quarterback Rakeem Cato (12) during the second half at Lane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports
1. The Hokies need to show they can at least challenge for the top Virginia recruits.
The Hokies missed out on many of the top Virginia recruits and the Class of 2015 is their chance to get some redemption in what is another very strong year for Virginia recruiting. The biggest surprise for the Hokies came when Alabama commit Da’Shawn Hand announced that Virginia Tech was not in his final 3 which surprised many people. Right now, the Hokies are in the top 5 for the Hokies so Virginia Tech needs to do what they can to give themselves a chance at getting Settle.
2. The Hokies need to make it tougher to poach in-state Virginia recruits.
Virginia Tech missed out on tons of the top in-state recruits and while a few of those players did end up at Virginia, many of those players ended up leaving the state like Alabama signee Da’Shawn Hand and Florida State signee Derrick Nnadi. The Hokies had too many misses in this past recruiting class but this is another chance with a class that is loaded with so many players that the Hokies have very good chances at getting. The Hokies need to force their top competition for in-state recruits to pull out all the stops and Settle is one of those guys they can set that example with.
Oct 12, 2013; Blacksburg, VA, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers running back Isaac Bennett (34) gets stopped by Virginia Tech Hokies defensive end Dadi Nicolas (90) during the second quarter at Lane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
3. Tim Settle can make an immediate impact.
At 6’3” 308lbs, Tim Settle already is built like a man that would fit perfectly in the Hokies’ defense as a 4-3 defensive tackle and as a replacement for Luther Maddy. Andrew Brown was thought to be that guy before he chose Virginia over the Hokies but Settle could make a big early impact for the Hokies. Virginia Tech has seen top recruits like Kendall Fuller and Brandon Facyson make early impacts this past season in Blacksburg and Settle can do exactly that in 2015. Settle could be an instant-impact player in Blacksburg and that is why the Hokies will likely be after him till National Signing Day 2015.