Virginia Tech’s Pursuit of ILB Victor Alexander

Nov 30, 2013; Charlottesville, VA, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies linebacker Jack Tyler (58) and Hokies cornerback Brandon Facyson (31) tackle Virginia Cavaliers running back Kevin Parks (25) in the third quarter at Scott Stadium. The Hokies won 16-6. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

The Virginia Tech Hokies have had one of the top defenses for a long time now and that is largely due to the coaching and development of players by Bud Foster and his staff. Another reason for the Hokies’ success on defense is the fact that Virginia Tech has found players that fit the Hokies’ defense while also having tons of upside to become big time players. The Hokies have done well with players that have great size and players that seem to small for their position.

Now, the Hokies are in pursuit of a player who falls into the undersized category but his ratings suggest that he is one of those hard workers that overcomes his size disadvantage.

Victor Alexander is an inside linebacker out of Trinity Christian Academy in Jacksonville, Florida and the reason why he falls in the undersized category is the fact that he is only 5-10. However, players like Chris Borland and former Hokie Jack Tyler had tons of collegiate success despite the fact that they were under six feet. Also, Alexander seems quite strong at 220 pounds and that is an issue for a lot of players when they first arrive in college.

Victor Alexander is rated as a three-star by ESPN, 247 Sports, and Rivals while the 247 Sports Composite has him as Florida’s 77th best prospect, 247 Sports’ traditional rankings has him as Florida’s 47th best prospect, and ESPN has him as the 104th best player from the state of Florida. Alexander is rated as the 18th best ILB by the 247 Sports Composite, 16th best by 247 Sports’ traditional rankings, and 23rd by ESPN.

Alexander would be a good addition for the Hokies’ Class of 2015 but there is one major issue, Alexander is currently committed to UCLA.

Victor Alexander committed to the Bruins last November and Bruins’ head coach Jim Mora Jr. will look to flex his recruiting muscle by holding on to Alexander. Schematically speaking, Alexander might prefer UCLA’s 3-4 defense that uses two true inside linebackers, giving Alexander a better route to get playing time. Also, the Sun Bowl blowout by UCLA and the big hits that their linebackers had could possibly hurt the Hokies in this process.

DL Coach Charley Wiles knows how to recruit in Florida but Wiles has an uphill battle to try to flip Alexander’s commitment from UCLA to the Hokies. One advantage is the fact that the Hokies have traditionally had a great defense with tons of talented great linebackers. On top of that, the Hokies have turned Florida into a recruiting pipeline and have had a lot of success with the players they have gotten from Florida.

Right now, 247 Sports lists Alexander as having warm interest in the Hokies despite the commitment and even with programs like Florida in pursuit, 247 Sports’ interest rankings suggest it is really down to Virginia Tech and UCLA. The Hokies have a tough battle to get Alexander but they definitely have the potential to get him to come to Blacksburg instead of Los Angeles.