Virginia Tech Hokies News: Football Crystal Ball Commit Flip, Women's BB Returns Home

Three days after dropping their first game of the 2024-25 season to Iowa, the Virginia Tech women’s basketball team will return to the friendly confines of Cassell Coliseum Wednesday night to begin a homestand. That’s where we’ll begin this edition of Virginia Tech Hokies News, which also includes some football recruiting news as well.

Women’s basketball to host UNC Asheville

Sunday night’s 71-52 loss to Iowa at the Ally Tip-Off in Charlotte was a good experience for first-year women’s basketball coach Megan Duffy and her team. They will be fine. It’s early in the season and now, they return home to host UNC Asheville beginning at 6 p.m. You can watch the game on ACC Network Extra. Virginia Tech will host Coppin State on Saturday afternoon.

Women’s basketball commit to announce decision

Class of 2025 five-star Kaelyn Carroll, who plays at Tabor Academy in Rochester, Mass., will announce her decision on Wednesday. Aside from Duffy and Virginia Tech, Carroll has taken official visits to North Carolina, Ohio State, Minnesota, Kentucky, South Carolina, and Villanova. Those are some strong programs the Hokies are going up against.

Crystal ball predicts football commitment flip

During the Hokies’ 24-14 football loss to Clemson on Saturday afternoon, it was a big day on campus in terms of recruits visiting. One recruit who took an official visit was Aydan West from Maryland. The three-star Class of 2025 cornerback committed to Michigan State back in June, but according to 247Sports, a new Crystal Ball prediction has Virginia Tech getting a flip from him. 

Signing day is less than a month away in December and expect any flip to come sooner rather than later. Virginia Tech has already lost one commitment in the Class of 2025 when Matthew Outten flipped his commitment to Penn State back in September.

Antwaun Powell-Ryland makes semifinalist list

Edge Antwaun Powell-Ryland was named a semifinalist for the Bednarik Award, which is an award that is presented annually to the Outstanding Defensive Player of the Year. He currently is tied for the lead in sacks in the country with 13.