Richmond area four-star defensive lineman Kelvin Gilliam is one of Virginia Tech's top 2021 recruiting targets with the Hokies continuing to push hard for the talented, versatile defensive lineman. The good news for the Hokies is that their efforts are making a difference in his recruitment.
Gilliam told us that Virginia Tech is one of five schools currently standing out in his recruitment along with Penn State, South Carolina, Oklahoma, and Texas. Gilliam had this to say about why the Hokies are standing out in his recruitment.
"They are constantly talking to me. I'm talking to the new staff frequently and building relationships with the new D Line coaches," Gilliam said about why VT is standing out in his recruitment.
Those comments shouldn't come as a surprise as the Hokies are among four schools recruiting Gilliam the hardest in his perspective along with Penn State, South Carolina, and Oklahoma.
One of the main reasons for the Hokies emerging as a strong contender for Gilliam is because of the relationships he's built with Tech's new defensive line coaches, especially Hokie Hall of Famer Darryl Tapp. Tapp's level of on-field success in the NFL is part the reason why Gilliam has such a strong relationship with Tapp as he told us.
"It's great. He sees that he can develop me as a young man and as a football player which is great with all the success he has in the NFL," Gilliam said.
Tapp is also one of the two Virginia Tech coaches that Kelvin Gilliam hears from the most often along with head coach Justin Fuente. Gilliam has also built a strong relationship with the Hokies' head coach as he told us.
"We have a great relationship. He sees a lot in me and what I can do for his program," Gilliam said.
Looking ahead, Gilliam does have an idea of a timeline for when he wants to trim down his recruitment further than he already has with his targets set on making his decision no later than the middle of fall.
"Top 5 in July and a decision either before my senior season or during," Gilliam said.
Going forward, one major objective for the Hokies will have to be getting Gilliam on campus for an official visit whenever that opportunity may open up. For now, Tech's large official visit weekend from June 19th-21st is outside both the current dead period and Gov. Ralph Northam's stay-at-home order though that date still remains up in the air at this time.
The good news for the Hokies is that they are right there in the hunt as a top contender for Gilliam at the moment, but will have to keep the pressure on as they look to land one of the best in-state recruits of the 2021 class, and one of their top overall targets.
