Photo Credit: Harley Taylor
Check out the latest Virginia Tech football recruiting notes headlined by the latest we're hearing on a potential flip target for the Hokies in the 2021 class.
4* DB Donovan McMillon
Donovan McMillon was one of Virginia Tech's top defensive targets prior to his comitment to Florida, but that hasn't stopped the Hokies from continuing to show interest.
That continued pursuit appears to be paying off with a source telling us that Tech is starting to feel like they have "pretty good odds" in regards to potentially pulling off a flip of the talented Pennsylvanian or at least gaining serious traction in trying to do so. Of course, numbers are extremely tight for the Hokies but McMillon is the type of player that Tech would find a way to fit into their 2021 class if they could flip him.
Now this is pure speculation but you have to wonder if Tech's rumored traction with McMillon is partially due to the fact that the Gators seem to be still recruiting safeties landing four-star Corey Collier recently while also making a strong run at four-star Terrion Arnold. That comes in addition to already having McMillon and Dakota Mitchell committed.
This does seem to be in the early stages and it's unclear how much traction the Hokies really have with McMillon, making it easy to still have plenty of reasonable doubt as to whether Tech could actually pull this off as I do. Right now, I would still be surprised if McMillon were to flip to the Hokies, but this unique recruiting cycle could lead to plenty of chaos on the recruiting trail this fall.
What is clear is that the Hokies are making a run at a flip and at least have a little traction at the moment.
2022 4* ATH Dallan Hayden
Dallan Hayden has had an impressive start to his fall with 690 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns in only 10 quarters of action including 258 yards and 4 touchdowns on 33 carries in one recent game.
Safe to say that Hayden is a big time talent in the 2022 class with the good news for Virginia Tech being that the Hokies are off to a strong start in his recruitment.
Hayden told us that the Hokies are among those currently standing out for him along with Georgia, Tennessee, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Auburn, Florida State, and Texas A&M. He added that the Hokies are among those currently recruiting him the hardest along with Georgia, Ohio State, Notre Dame, and Tennessee with Tech recruiting him as an athlete.
So why are the Hokies standing out for Hayden? It's because of Tech CBs coach Ryan Smith adding this on why that relationship is specifically boosting Tech's standing.
"It's because of his coaching style, and he seems like a good man on and off the field," Hayden said.
Of course, it will definitely be an uphill battle to land an elite athlete like Hayden, but it's because that Ryan Smith has the Hokies in the hunt for Dallan Hayden.
2022 3* DE Aaron Hester
Aaron Hester told us that he heard from a "whole lot" of schools since September 1st including programs like Virginia Tech, Florida State, Louisville, East Carolina, and Connecticut. So far, Tech's interest has paid off with a solid position in Hester's recruitment.
While Hester may not have any schools standing out currently, he did tell us that he "really likes" the Hokies with the main reasons being that it isn't too far away for the Floridian and because of defensive line coach Darryl Tapp.
Tapp has clearly taken on a large role in Tech's recruiting of Hester with the two talking "a lot" and building a "good" relationship so far. Hester added that Rutgers is currently recruiting him the hardest.
Hester is definitely an intriguing prospect with a solid offer list so far that includes plenty of strong challengers including in-state Florida State along with Rutgers.
