Virginia Tech football coach James Franklin has been on a recruiting heater on the offensive side of the ball in the last week. He has secured two commitments in the Class of 2027 from running backs, as well as one from a wide receiver and a tight end.
This came on the heels of securing commitments from a string of defensive linemen. There is no shortage of other recruits that the Hokies are in the mix for, and it appears that one is coming close to making a commitment in the not-too-distant future.
Virginia Tech joins two SEC programs as finalists for a three-star Class of 2027 safety
Three-star safety Elijah Butler has taken some visits over the last month, and the Baltimore native is closing in on committing. His three finalists are Auburn, Florida, and Virginia Tech. He has been on the Hokies new coaching staff's radar since the beginning of the year, with position coach Anthony Midget extending an offer in January.
The 6-foot-2 Butler expects to make his decision in early May. Virginia Tech's commitments on the defensive side of the ball, as mentioned above, are along the defensive line, so getting some in the secondary would be a good start to that unit.
However, the competition is going to be tough, but what do all three programs have in common? They all have first-year head coaches at their schools and new staff. If there is one edge the Hokies have over the other programs, it's that one of Virginia Tech's commits along the defensive line is Alexander Taylor, who is teammates with Butler at St. Frances in Maryland.
Butler has met with Midget, Franklin, and defensive coordinator Brent Pry during his visit, and logistically, Virginia Tech is the closest to home for Butler. However, don't count out the SEC, but with Franklin now in Blacksburg, that helps the recruiting trail now and in the future.
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