Hokie Hopefuls: Graham, Williams, and others
As Virginia Tech’s football team works out together for the first time this spring in anticipation of the Spring Game on April 16, newly-appointed Head Coach Brent Pry and his coaching staff have been busy recruiting potential players for future squads.
Let’s take a look at some of those players who have visited Lane Stadium recently, including a few who have received offers:
Samuel Graham: Lackawanna College | Strong Safety/Corner | 6’3 200 lbs.
Graham announced on Saturday that he received an offer to play for the Hokies.
In his first junior college season, Graham notched an average of 5.4 tackles per game. Game film shows that he’s got eyes on the quarterback at all times, ready to go wherever the ball goes. He’s quick too, and that speed can get him to a receiver right after the ball does. For a defensive coach like Pry, Graham is the kind of guy who can put stopping the progress of the ball above all else.
Sean Williams: John’s College High School (’23) | Wide Receiver | 6’1 175 lbs.
Williams announced on Saturday that he received an offer to play for the Hokies.
Williams’ Hudl reel shows a receiver with great speed (he can run a 6.60 55m) and the ability to get open. Finding open space seems to be a big part of his game. Blacksburg isn’t too far from home as he’s from Washington, D.C., so we will have to see how that plays a factor in his decision. He’s received offers from Boston College, Rutgers, USF, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Wake Forest, Marshall, and many others.
Jaylen Patterson: West Caldwell High School (’23) | Quarterback | 6’2 200 lbs.
Patterson visited Lane Stadium on Saturday and met with Brad Glenn and Stu Holt.
Patterson’s highlight reel shows off his bazooka of an arm. It’s direct, it’s deep, and it’s dynamite. And in historic Virginia Tech QB fashion, he can make a break for it when spaces opens up. Speed and strength seem to be primary parts of his game. He’s made visits and had spring invites to schools like Appalachian State, Elon, Gardner-Webb, North Carolina Central, Charleston Southern, and Alcorn State. Virginia Tech no doubt tops that list in terms of notoriety.
Joshua Switzer: Ardrey Kell High School (’23) | Safety | 5’10 175 lbs.
Switzer saw a snowy practice at Lane Stadium on Saturday.
It looks like he’s found himself everywhere on the field during his high school career. He’s worked with the ball in his hands, both running it and returning kicks, but his main strength is on the defensive end. He’s found himself all over the field there, as well. He can give the backfield trouble while forcing turnovers. His junior season stats include over 100 tackles, 6 sacks, and 2 interceptions. He’s also visited nearby Appalachian State and VMI in the past few weeks.
Noah Patterson: Ironton High School (’24) | WR/TE | 6’3 250 lbs.
Patterson visited Blacksburg on Saturday for his very first college visit.
This is a kid who already knows how to use his size to his advantage. His Hudl tape shows a player who finds the weakness in an offensive line to put pressure on a backfield.
Ironton High boasts more than a few high-profile Ohio prospects, so Tech will want to move early if they’re serious about Patterson. He will have a lot of eyes on him during his junior season.
Donovan Dozier: Cardinal Gibbons High School (’23) | DE | 6’4 230 lbs.
Dozier visited Tech again on Saturday.
He first attended a Junior Day in January and connected with Assistant Head Coach and Defensive Coach J.C. Price. Coming back is definitely a good sign for the Hokies: he’s made visits all over the area at schools like Duke, William and Mary, and the University of Richmond. Tech will definitely need Price’s passion for Hokies football to shine through if they want to pickup this player with 22 sacks and 63 tackles in his latest season.