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Virginia Tech Football Recruiting Notes 5/4/20

VT v UNC 2019 63
Photo Credit: Jake Roth

The recruiting trail continues on even as so many things in the world around us have slowed us with Virginia Tech making he cut for a priority defensive back target, continuing to push hard for a talented Florida defensive lineman, and have their eyes on a possible new in-state offer.

Virginia Tech Makes The Top 10 For DB Donovan McMillon

If you haven't heard, Donovan McMillon is arguably the fastest-rising recruit in America regardless of sport. The good news for Virginia Tech is that McMillon is quite interested in VT with the Hokies unsurprisingly making his top 10.

Virginia Tech was the lone ACC team to make the cut while four SEC teams (Georgia, Florida, Texas A&M, LSU), two Big 10 teams (Penn State, Michigan), Oklahoma, and Oregon joined Tech in his top 10.

While there are plenty of times when the Hokies would be discounted in this type of situation, it's pretty clear that Virginia Tech is one of the frontrunners in McMillon's recruitment.

Recruiting assistant Lino Lupinetti has been quite instrumental in helping the Hokies gain lots of traction with the two regularly playing Madden against each other and posting about in on social media. Regardless of the results, it's clear that those Madden games have not only helped build a strong friendship, but also given the Hokies some serious traction for one of their top defensive targets.

As of this time, McMillon is scheduled to take an official visit to Virginia Tech from June 19th-21st. While that official visit does seem up in the air due to the coronavirus, McMillon did previously tell us that the Hokies were the one team guaranteed to receive an official visit whether it happens in June or is pushed back to a later date.

Hokies In Hot Pursuit of DE Deonte Anderson

Virginia Tech is looking to bring in a large defensive line class this cycle with three-star DE Deonte Anderson out of Florida emerging as a higher target at defensive end.

Anderson told us that the Hokies are among a host of schools recruiting him the hardest alongside South Carolina, Georgia Tech, West Virginia, UCF, and others. Those schools are among a solid offer list that also includes Boston College, Washington State, and others while Miami, Auburn, and USF are all showing interest and signs of potentially offering soon in Anderson's eyes.

This is another recruitment where recruiting assistant Lino Lupinetti has been leading the charge while Darryl Tapp has also been involved for the Hokies. Anderson told us that he has a "very balanced" relationship with Tapp and a "good" relationship with Lupinetti.

Anderson doesn't currently have any schools he's particularly focused on visiting once the COVID-19 pandemic is contained to a point where visits are allowed once again. However, it wouldn't be surprising to see the Hokies push to try to get him on campus sometime this summer should the opportunity to do so be available.

Looking ahead, Anderson doesn't have any current set plans for trimming down his list or making a decision beyond a target of date of "midseason" for potentially trimming down his list or making a decision.

Virginia Tech and other Power 5 programs are definitely showing plenty of interest in Deonte Anderson who is content to be patient for now even in a recruiting world that hasn't slowed down during these unusual times.

In-State ATH Keli Lawson Receiving Interest From VT

After landing a four-star Dylan Rivers out of Sherando HS in Stephens City, VA; the Hokies are showing interest in another talented prospect out of Sherando in three-star ATH Keli Lawson.

Lawson told us that he has received "a lot" of interest from Virginia Tech "recently". That has included Lawson hearing from defensive coordinator/safeties coach Justin Hamilton along with DL coach Bill Teerlinck and RBs coach Adam Lechtenberg. At this point, Lawson told us that the Hokies are recruiting him as an athlete.

So far, Lawson has received three offers from Virginia, Liberty, and Toledo with the Hokies looking at potentially joining that group for the 6'4'' athlete. The Hokies aren't alone in showing interest among those who haven't offered with that list also including Michigan State, Wake Forest, Old Dominion, Hampton, Fordham, and former "Last Chance U" JUCO program Independence CC.

There's no doubt that his size and frame bring plenty of intrigue that make you wonder if he could play safety, linebacker, or even grow into a defensive end, though DE seems unlikely but can't be ruled out with Teerlinck being among those in contact.

Of course, it remains to be seen if the Hokies do extend an offer to Lawson, who would have likely been a name to keep an eye on for spring evaluations prior to the COVID-19 pandemic changing the recruiting landscape. However, that doesn't rule out the possibility of Lawson landing an offer sometime down the road especially with the size that he brings to the table.

The Hokies are also showing interest in another in-state athlete, Martin Lucas of Abingdon, VA. See more on Lucas and the Hokies' interest in him here.

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