Photo Credit: Liam Sment
Virginia Tech made it clear earlier this year that Kel'El Ware would be a top big man target in the 2022 class when the Hokies extended the Arkansas native an offer during a visit to Blacksburg in February.
That prioritization was reassured this past Monday when for the first time, coaches were allowed to initiate contact with 2022 with the Hokies being the "first to call" Ware.
The even better news for the Hokies is that their prioritization of Ware is paying off in his recruitment.
Ware told us that Virginia Tech is one of two schools currently standing out in his recruitment along with Texas Tech. He had this to say about why the Hokies are standing out for him.
"Because they keep tabs on me and always are letting me know that they are interested in me," Ware said.
As we mentioned above, the Hokies were the "first to call" Ware earlier this week with the Arkansas big man receiving a call from VT assistant Chester Frazier. He had this to say about how his conversation went with Frazier.
"It was great. We were just talking about how everything has been going and stuff like that," Ware said.
The Hokies weren't the only school to reach out to Ware this week as he also has heard from Kansas, Arkansas, Texas, Texas Tech, Illinois, N.C. State, and Arkansas State. Additionally, Texas Tech and Illinois joined an offer list that already included the Hokies, Arkansas, Texas A&M, and Oral Roberts.
With the collegiate careers of Keve Aluma and Justyn Mutts expected to end after the 2021-22 season, the Hokies will likely prioritize big men in their 2022 class and Ware will be one of those top targets. While nearby schools like Texas Tech and in-state Arkansas will be tough challenges, it's clear that the Hokies have serious traction early on in his recruitment.
Keep an eye on Kel'El Ware as a top target for the Hokies in the 2022 class.
