Virginia Tech Recruiting Targets

Tony Robie looks to maintain a high level of success at Virginia Tech.

Sep 15, 2018 by Willie Saylor

Tony Robie is passing all the tests.

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Tony Robie is passing all the tests.

When Kevin Dresser, who built up Virginia Tech, left for Iowa State last year, many wondered how Robie would do running the ship. Sure, Robie was an integral part of the Hokies rise. But being in charge of everything is a big step.

The early returns suggest Robie and a fantastic new VTech staff with Jared Frayer, Frank Molinaro, and Ty Walz, will be fine - perhaps even better than ever.

Tech went 14-3 in duals last year and won the ACC Tournament over an NC State squad that would go on to win a team trophy at NCAA's while the Hokies themselves finished 8th.

Could the results be remnants of the talent left by Dresser? Sure. But what certainly isn't is the number of elite recruits Robie has landed since Dresser's departure - something that should have Hokie fans extremely optimistic for the future.

With three Top 100 recruits already for the graduating Class of 2019, the Hokies are off to a hot start. #20-Bryce Andonian (157/OH) and #81-Sam Latona (125/AL) are both Fargo Champs while #21-Connor Brady (165/OH) placed 3rd there.

The class will be integral in maintaining the level of success in Blacksburg and we'll investigate who else the Hokies need going forward.

Lightweights

On the Roster:

Young and solid-not-spectacular. That's what the roster looks like down low for Tech. With transfer Korbin Myers (Edinboro) now in the fold, the Hokies have a National Qualifier in all three lightweights.

Kyle Norstrem will lead off at 125, followed by Myers. Brent Moore will probably spend one more year at 141 but for going up to 49 and making way for his brother Mitch.

Though all were talented and Top 100 recruits, they are still relatively young. Last year Norstrem (as FR) , Myers (as a Soph.), and Brent (as a FR) all went 1-2 at the big dance.

It's a start. This season will probably tell the staff 'hey, we're good at the lightweights' or 'we have to recruit for upgrades'.

Targets:

They already have Latona, who will be a career 125, coming in next year. So expect the target to come at 133 where there would be a need after Myers' final two years are up.

In this year's class, I think the Hokies would be wise to go after Sean Pierson, a FloNationals Champ out of PA, or Georgia's Kyle Gollhofer. Both would be then ready to step in after a redshirt.

Should they wait a year, I like two Jersey boys as VTech targets in Anthony Clark or Eddie Ventresca.

Middleweights

On the Roster:

The Hokies have really strong middleweights. Now - and for the future.

The only problem is - where do they all fit?

At one time it appeared Mekhi Lewis would go 157. But he'll go 165 with 2x All American David McFadden up to 174. I'm starting to get the feeling that in two years (when McFadden graduates), Lewis will even move up to 174, which would help get the talent in the lineup. That would allow Andonian and Brady to slot in to 57/65.

Moore-Andonian-Brady-Mekhi in 2020? Not too shabby.

Targets:

In the 57-74 range, the Hokies also have really solid guys BC Laprade and Hunter Bolen with three years of eligibility remaining. They have no true need for anyone else there. So that leaves two questions. 1) Will Brent Moore produce the kind of results they need at 149? 2) Can they bulk up Mekhi to 174 for life after McFadden?

If the answer to both questions are 'yes', Tech is sitting pretty. If not, they will have to consider recruiting a 149, getting Andonian and Brady to 49/57, and/or recruiting a 174 depending on Bolen's development.

The two 174's in this class that may fit are Carter Starocci and Jackson Turley, both who could be flexed to different weights.

The one middleweight that is clearly in the mix for Tech is 2020 prospect Sammy Hillegas - a 149lber out of Pennsylvania.

It should also be noted that Brevin Balmeceda, a highly ranked 157lb. prospect out of Florida, has tech on his final list.

Upperweights

On the Roster:

Last year the Hokies graduated Ty Walz (HWT). This year they graduated Jared Haught (197). Next year they'll graduate Zack Zavatsky (184). All were staples in the line-up. All of them All Americans.

Tech brought in two transfers - Tom Sleigh (197/Bucknell) and Billy Miller (285/Edinboro) to go along with two Top 100 recruits Dakota Howard and John Borst. Howard still has a redshirt left.

So whereas 197 and 285 should be covered, 184 looms as the single most pressing need in Blacksburg. Only Zavatsky and Stan Smeltzer are on the roster at 184, to go along with just two (Cody Hughes and Hunter Bolen) at 174.

Targets:

Again, Turley and Starocci could fit here, though Starocci would be on the small side for 184. The only other prospect that fits the profile for Tech in 2019 is Darrien Roberts from PA, who does have Tech listed among his choices.

Looking at 184 prospects in the 2020 class, a couple western PA studs would fit well in Thayne Lawrence and Luke Stout.

But recently the word is that Tech is making a push for Kai Bele out of Florida. The #13 overall recruit in 2020, I think this is a brilliant move by Tech, and a much needed one.

Tech has also done really well in Ohio, and 2021 has St. Edward's Paddy Gallgher as a projected 184.

Of course not of the most pressing need, Braxton Amos, a Top 5 overall prospect in the Class of 2020 is a 197 target.