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5-Star DE Josh Sweat Commits to Florida State Over Virginia Tech

By Tim Thomas

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Nov 28, 2014; Blacksburg, VA, USA; Virginia Cavaliers quarterback Greyson Lambert (11) is hit as he passes the ball as Virginia Tech Hokies defensive end Dadi Nicolas (90) and linebacker Deon Clarke (40) defend in the first quarter at Lane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Since Josh Sweat announced a week ago that he would be making his decision today, there has been a lot of attention surrounding Sweat with Virginia Tech, Florida State, Georgia, Ohio State, and Oregon all making their final push to try to get Sweat. Today was decision day for Sweat, and one recruiting class just improved a whole lot.

Josh Sweat announced at Oscar Smith High School this morning that he has decided to commit to the Florida State Seminoles over the Virginia Tech Hokies, Georgia Bulldogs, Ohio State Buckeyes, and Oregon Ducks.

This is a massive recruiting loss for the Hokies, especially after Virginia Tech was considered the favorite for most of the time until right at the end. The Hokies made a huge push for Sweat but the failure to get him is definitely a major disappointment for the Virginia Tech football program.

Josh Sweat now becomes the latest top Virginia prospect to not come to Blacksburg after Quin Blanding and Andrew Brown committed to Virginia last year while Da’Shawn Hand committed to Alabama. The Hokies were once again beat by the Seminoles for a player in the Virginia Beach area after 4-star DT Derrick Nnadi chose Florida State last February.

Eli Harold, Christian Hackenberg, and Alex Carter are some of the other notable Virginia recruits that the Hokies failed to get. If Virginia Tech would have had more success in the last few seasons on the recruiting trail, the Hokies might have had a better 2014 season.

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Currently, the Hokies only have one of Virginia’s numerous four-star or better recruits committed in offensive tackle Austin Clark. Virginia Tech is still in the hunt for Tim Settle and seem to be in his top 4 along with Clemson, Penn State, and Tennessee. However, the loss of Sweat is still very disappointing.

Virginia Tech fans will be very frustrated that the Hokies have once again been beaten for a top recruit and the outlook for next season isn’t great with top Virginia recruits Scott Bracey and Mark Birmingham currently committed to Duke. The Hokies will need to push really hard to try to see if they can flip those two guys, and get Levonta Taylor and Drake Davis.

Overall, this is a major disappointment and unacceptable loss for the Hokies. Sadly, this is just the latest loss for Virginia Tech but hopefully, Frank Beamer and his coaches can get it turned around on the recruiting trail among big time recruits.