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4-Star DT Tim Settle Has Virginia Tech in His Top 3

By Tim Thomas

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Nov 22, 2014; Winston-Salem, NC, USA; Wake Forest Demon Deacons quarterback John Wolford (10) gets sacked by Virginia Tech Hokies defensive tackle Nigel Williams (95) during the first quarter at BB&T Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

4-Star defensive tackle Tim Settle of Manassas, Virginia is the best recruit in the state of Virginia that is still uncommitted after Ricky DeBerry committed to Oklahoma recently. The 4-star defensive tackle is set to announce his college choice on January 2nd at the Under Armour All-American Game in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Virginia Tech’s top remaining target that is uncommitted from the Class of 2015 is Settle, and Virginia Tech fans are becoming more and more optimistic that Settle will commit to the Hokies. Virginia Tech seems like the favorite, but we now know for certain that Virginia Tech will be one of three finalists for Settle.

Tim Settle’s original top 5 included Virginia Tech, Louisville, USC, Oklahoma State, and Washington State after it seemed like Clemson, Tennessee, and Penn State were the top 3. However, it is not a surprise to see that Oklahoma State and Washington State are the two teams eliminated in the cut from 5 to 3 teams. Both of those programs seemed like the two longshots the whole time.

The Hokies are the favorites, but Louisville and USC are definitely solid contenders in the pursuit of Settle. The proximity to home makes Settle the longshot of the three, but USC’s success of developing defensive linemen like Leonard Williams, and the prestige of USC gives them a decent chance to get Settle.

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Louisville seems to be a serious favorite especially with the success that Todd Grantham has had in his first year as Louisville’s defensive coordinator. Grantham’s brother Tony Grantham is a native of Virginia and has been the primary recruiter for Louisville, and that Virginia connection has to help. Louisville is a program on the rise and that makes the Cardinals a serious contender for Settle.

However, Virginia Tech is clearly the favorite to get Settle partly because of the proximity to home advantage that Blacksburg provides compared to Louisville or Los Angeles. Settle might not be able to get too much early playing time, but Settle should be starting to get a decent amount of playing time by 2016.

Charley Wiles also has done a great job of developing defensive linemen, and Settle would have time to be developed by Wiles before having a significant role. However, the lack of early playing time is something that could have a big impact depending on what happens. Virginia Tech’s prestige is an advantage over Louisville while Bud Foster signing a new contract also is a boost in recruiting.

This great news to see the Hokies in the top 3 for Tim Settle. Now, the question is whether the Hokies actually get Settle?

Next: Who are the Hokies' top remaining 2015 recruiting targets?

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