247Sports’ J.C. Shurburtt talks about Virginia Tech’s ’13 recruiting class
National Signing Day is Wednesday, and the Hokies aren’t expecting any last-second surprises with their 2013 recruiting class. Right now, that group is expected to have 20 signees. Five of them have already signed, and two holdovers from the 2012 class that didn’t go to prep school – Seth Dooley and Woody Baron — also started school in January as well.
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It should make for a relatively relaxed signing day, unlike last year, when the Hokies went down to the wire with four signees, getting three of them to sign on the dotted line on the final day.
To get things geared up, I chatted with 247Sports National Recruiting Director J.C. Shurburtt about Virginia Tech’s class. He talked a little bit about the new coaches’ recruiting reputations, which I wrote about Saturday. Here’s some more of what he had to say:
AB: What do you think of Virginia Tech’s class overall?
JC: ”On paper, it’s probably the highest-ranked Virginia Tech class in the modern era of recruiting. And they do a good job. They went down and got D.J. Reid and Holland Fisher out of Richmond and Cequan Jefferson. I think anytime you can get a Wyatt Teller to change his mind like that, that’s good. He’s an excellent player. So in-state, the Hokies did very, very well and sort of brushed back some of the momentum that maybe Virginia had.
“And then out of state, it’s the normal Virginia Tech recruiting. You go and get a guy like Brandon Facyson out of Georgia, a versatile corner, a receiver-type, 6-1, fits the prototype, that sort of thing. So I think that overall, considering it was the worst Virginia Tech team record-wise in 20 years, they’re going to get probably the best-ranked recruiting class they’ve gotten in some time. So that’s one of those positive things that the Hokies fans can look forward to is the influx of talent.”
AB: Is it odd that one of Virginia Tech’s better recruiting classes is coming on the heels of its worst season in 20 years? Or do recruits look more at relationships than on-field results in a small window?
JC: “I think recruiting overwhelmingly, as a rule of thumb, is decided by relationships. I think that you always hear recruits say, ‘Well, I want to go where I feel comfortable.’ Well, where you’re comfortable is having a good relationship with the coaching staff. And all the kids that committed to Virginia Tech during the season — your Parker Osterlohs, your Braxton Pfaffs, your Wyatt Tellers, your Holland Fishers — they didn’t really waver. I mean, Holland Fisher was talking about setting up visits and then he decided not to, that type of thing. So I think that you’re absolutely right, it is about relationships and stability and all that. Tech did change some coaches on their staff, but Frank Beamer is still there, many of the primary recruiters on that staff are still there. So they’ve done a good job of keeping everybody in the boat.”
AB: Do the Hokies need to expand their recruiting base to reach that next level?
JC: “I think there are certain positions that you really do need to go national. And o-line is one, quarterback is probably the other. But you can’t really argue with the way quarterback has recruited in-state quarterbacks. But yeah, I think that when there’s a need and your state doesn’t have it, and Virginia Tech has a very good national name. They’ve played in lots of BCS games and won lots of ACC titles, you can go get in the door and see what happens. There’s not a defensive player out there that hasn’t heard of Bud Foster. There’s not a whole lot of people out there that haven’t heard of Frank Beamer, that haven’t heard of the Hokies. So that allows him to get in the door and maybe get some of these guys in on visits.
“It’s tough, though, because you can get them on campus and stuff like that, but that still doesn’t mean you’re going to land them. That’s the problem with going out and putting all your eggs in your out-of-state basket is that even if you’re Alabama, you don’t just walk into any state and take their homegrown players. It’s hard to get commits from out of state to commit. So if there was an issue at all, that would be it.”
AB: Who in this class do you think can play right away? Who could be a sleeper?
JC: “I like Holland Fisher a lot. A big, versatile safety prospect, the type of player that fits into Virginia Tech’s defensive scheme perfectly. Every time I saw him this spring and summer at camps, combines, what have you, he went out and competed. He competes on the football field. He’s an all around good football player and he plays the game every snap like it needs to be played. And that’s tough nowadays. A lot of guys that are high-level recruits don’t really like football. But Holland Fisher likes football and I think he’ll fit in just fine.
“If there’s a sleeper, I think it’d be Jefferson. Here’s a guy that’s got pretty good size, good long arms, 5-8, 5-9, 5-10, something like that, 175 pounds, but runs 4.34. Can turn. When I saw him this last spring, there were some fundamental things that he needed to work on, but skill level-wise, high-end ceiling-wise, he’s a better prospect than Donovan Riley or Donaldven Manning that came through in last year’s class.”
February 4, 2013 - 8:49 AM
Isn’t it ironic that he never mentioned Fuller? What’s up with that?
It is very odd he didn’t mention Fuller at all.
The ideal place in the nation to recruit skilled offensive players is Texas. The problem is that none of them would want to come to an offensive system that dampens their talents and remains far behind the times. Any Texas QB worth his salt will go somewhere he can control the ball 40+ times a game.
Beamer’s strategy will limit him to recruiting the 757 & Commonwealth as much as possible for guys who want to have their families watch home games from the stands in Lane. As for O-lineman, and really, D-linemen, too – we’d be smart to ignore Frank’s ‘six hour limit’ on drive time and recruit in a broader scope. That doesn’t mean California, etc. for all the knee jerk reactionists. It means further out than the Mid-Atlantic.
Looking at the skill out there that we never see because of our self imposed restrictions on budget? It could get depressing if you thought about it. Let’s hope the new guys are shackled too badly in their attempts to update Hokie football…
I think Fuller is such a given and has gotten so much publicity and exposure as being the headliner in this class that he was digging deeper for some insight. I don’t think it was a slight or an oversight at all.
CR, I’m hoping Coach Grimes attitude on recruiting O’ lineman wherever they may be will help change Coach Beamer’s mind. From what I’ve seen of his history, Grimes has, in the past, convinced some big ugly’s to play for him and hopefully he can get some to B’burg. It may take a couple of years for the fruit to bloom, but let’s hope for the best.
I believe because Fuller had brothers who have played or playing at Tech was a given he may sign. The other top recruits did not have those connections. It appears this is an outstanding class and with new O staff I am very excited at the possibilities for the future. I think Stiny staying on is a good thing and he is a wonderful recruiter. We will see.
Harvey from the coast of NC
24.Dan, not sure if Loeffler and VT have offered Park. It wouldn’t surprise me, though. Obviously he and Park had a connection. A lot of times the coaches are more important than the school.
Comment by Andy Bitter — February 3, 2013 @ 12:26 am
Andy
Above I cut and pasted your response to Dan from the earlier recruiting post. Previous to that post I knew 2013 was pretty much wrapped up so i had done some digging to see if Loffler was already working any of the 2014 guys. According to 247 VT has offered Park and Loffler is recruting him. He is also hot on the heels of David Cornwell from Oklahoma as well. It’s encouraging to see he is already working some high profile 2014 guys and they are showing interest.
http://247sports.com/Player/Jacob-Park-20348
http://247sports.com/Player/David-Cornwell-23813
#3: CR, when did you become an expert on Texas and football in Texas and recruting in Texas? If you knew anything about it at all you would know that:
- Texas has more Div 1 capable players than scholorships available and is a net exporter of football talent. Why do you think that UTSA got instant admission to a Conference?
- Texas is recuited by everyone because of that.
- Successful high school coaches make a good wage here from income other than public coffers. Recruting here is about connections to the coaches and coaching trees.
- Texas has plenty of people moving in every minute from outside the state. We are one place that is gaining in population right now. The idea that our players are stuck on a Texas, or Big 12, or SEC School just isn’t right.
- Your notion that no Texas player would go to Blacksburg also isn’t right.
- If Tech wants to recruit here they have to actually recruit here. That means showing up and walking around and visiting and so on. I have never heard of VT recruting in Texas. I happen to have met Larry Coker when he was starting at UTSA and he told our VT Alumni that VT does not recruit Texas. I wish we would ……
Crooked road; If Texas is so hot then why has UT done so poorly year in and year out with hand picked 4 and 5 stars? Budgets are important. Look at Maryland. Over spent and had to make radical changes. Frank and Bud have done well with the D. New faces on offense side of ball will payoff with skill position players, within 1-3 years. There is enough talent in 757 to field the best offense in the ACC and compete on a national level. The Hokie Nation doesn’t need Texas anymore than we need West Virginia! LOL.
As far as Fuller, Andy, would you say that 5 star players are rarely misses unless they are hit by the injury bug? VT gets so few of them and I don’t think any of them have been failed to impress.
How many 5 stars does the state of Virginia produce each year on average?
I am very confident that Fuller will be one of the next great corners at VT, but corner is such a hard position to please fans. Many of the corners we’ve sent to the NFL, even those that exceeded at the NFL, have disappointed the fans at times. Still others that were fan favorites have had no luck in the NFL – like Macho Harris. If there was ever a guy I thought would make it at that level it was Macho.
“A lot of guys that are high-level recruits don’t really like football” –
Let me guess, these guys prefer math and science.
#8 Z, your eagerness betrays your objectivity. I knew all of what you mentioned about your state of residence already. You conveniently ignored the Texas QB recruit that decommitted from VT in order to go play at a closer location, like New Mexico. More correctly, he used the Hokie commit to leverage a more reasonable scholarship offer.
Try to uncurl from the fetal position and think logically, if possible. Do you really think that (pick one) a Texas QB or WR reared in the 7on7 mentality during HS is interested in coming to Bburg to run a 1970′s style running game? Seriously? If he is, you would have to wonder why, actually. That was my point, and you reinforced it for me. Seriously, dude, unbunch your panties.
#5 540H, we agree. I think/hope that Grimes will actually be allowed to go outside the ‘family zone’ to recruit some talented linemen. I think if anyone can get them here, it will be Grimes. I look forward to his influence.
#9 Dave, I’m not calling for VT to recruit Texas. If you read my whole post, you’d see I’m pointing out why Texas skill players would not come to VaTech. I pointed out exactly why that strategy would NOT work. Go back and reread.
As for 4/5 star recruits, to be honest, we have such a tiny sampling of success with 5-star recruits we really shouldn’t even discuss. Even instate 5-stars, we only get ONE every few years. Typically, if they’re a 5-star, they go elsewhere, usually out of conference. We get some 4-stars, but we lose just as many that go elsewhere. That’s what makes me question the ‘expert’ rating given to our so-called recruiting geniuses.
If we stay in the region on skill players, I think we’d do fine. We need to look elsewhere for other positions, though. I like the strategy proposed for Grimes. I think it will work.
I wouldn’t pencil Fuller in just yet.
Let’s go Hokies !!!
@14. Okay, we`ll use ink.
#10—I don’t know if Fuller can live up to the standards of the great Jimmy Williams at corner, especially in his play in the Gator Bowl against Louisville.
From what I understand, Grimes and Loeffler are already working the national scene to recruit position players, specifically quarterbacks and offensive linemen.
Now, I’m not saying that Beamer has “seen the light,” but I think that actually may mean that there’s more to the coaching changes than meet the eyes. Loeffler, as someone already mentioned, is recruiting this 4* quarterback from Oklahoma who is a big admirer of Loeffler. Michigan is reportedly recruiting said quarterback.
IF Beamer green-light national recruiting for the “big uglies,” that mean that he is finally going all-in to fill the empty national championship trophy. That is a pretty big IF. That is probably the only way that Tech can seriously be considered as a national championship material if they start recruiting position players that are not tight ends being converted to linemen.
That mean that Director of Recruiting, Cavs, need to loosen up and let Grimes work his connections and bring in the grunts. It is already known that the Commonwealth of Virginia is an excellent ground for recruiting skill players, but not for linemen as JC Shurburtt noted.
One film analyst who provides breakdown at a Tech fan site noted that Kendall Fuller is an excellent coverage corner, but lack the run support skill that Kyle Fuller possessed, and noted that the brothers are polar opposites. I would imagine that Foster and Gray are already dreaming up scheme to fit the veterans and newcomers’ skills. I am not, in any shape or form, saying that Kendall will be a starter from day one, but I would imagine he will see the field somehow.
Zman, yeah I was going to bring up that Texas QB who bolted as soon as his stock went up. Texas would be an incredibly hard recruit.
Here’s what kids want:
They want to be on TV all the time so they can be seen
They want to win as much as possible
They want to be coached by the best so they can make it to the next level
They want to start as soon as possible
They want to be recruited by big sexy teams like Alabama, FSU,etc.
They want to be held in awe by their peers
Oh and chicks, they want chicks
AT VT it’s yes, yes for the most part, yes (on defense, not so much on offense), Yes, No of course, not so much and yes – chicks are everywhere.
We are what we are.
#17 where is the great Jimmy Williams now? QBs – How many has went out of state to play???
….we are what we are…..OR what we pretend to be.
#20—-probably the same place as Kevin Jones, Lee Suggs, Marcus Vick, Ryan Williams, Daren Evans, Eddie Royal and other VT marquee players that were supposed to be in the Super Bowl.
#20 Al, I don’t know if you’ve ever heard of Russell WIlson of the Seattle Seahawks, or Tajh Boyd at Clemson, but those are two really easy examples of highly recruited players that chose some other destination than VaTech. There are several others over the years that have not even seriously considered VaTech, for a number of reasons.
It’s not as much about who we did sign, as it is about who we never even got to come visit. That’s the 2nd or 3rd layer of the discussion when it comes to 5-star recruits. The easy example is Percy Harvin, who came from the 757 to now play in the NFL after a stellar college career. Our so-called recruiting geniuses at that time – Stinespring & Newsome – who were supposed to be SOOO well connected in the 757? They never got within a mile of him. See, it’s one thing to be ‘well connected’ on 3-star recruits. It’s another thing when you consider the 4/5-star recruits that won’t even take a visit from you because they want to go somewhere serious to play ball.
We coddle Frank’s ‘family’ pretense, while ignoring all the talent stepping on our heads to go play elsewhere. That’s my point. My hope is the new blood helps reverse that idiocy. I’ve got faith in them, for now. I especially think Grimes will shine for us. If Frank allows him to do so. That’s a big ‘IF’. I’ll believe it when it happens.
#18 Trev, don’t falsely put the restrictions on Jim Cavanaugh. They belong solely with the Top Guy, Frank Beamer. Make NO mistake, Frank controls ALL of the recruiting focus and makes ALL of the decisions about territories, etc. ALL of it. To pretend otherwise is to pretend that Stinespring was solely responsible for the abysmal offensive performance for the last decade. Frank’s fingerprints are all over all of that, and all over all of the recruiting. The only thing Frank’s fingerprints aren’t all over is the defensive strategy. The mindset, yes. The strategy, no. He gives Bud lots of leeway. The rest of the team philosophy? Frank controls pretty closely.
Didn’t you tell all of us with that big dramatic exit that you were taking off for good?
Barry, YOU are what you are. Not what you pretend to be….
With the injury to Exum, Fuller better come in ready to play. Andy, any thoughts to moving Jarrett moving back to corner that you know of? If Fisher is as ready as stated that would allow that move. Jarrett played great @ safety but with sz still looks more the corner to me.
Way to add to the conversation Barry. So tell me again about GT’s recruiting class? All I see here is some pretty big strides by VT and GT just keeps floundering in mediocrity…
#23 Thanks for reminding me about Wilson. I would really like to know the correct answer. Another sport. If VT was serious about basketball why would they not been trying to recruit Andrew Rowsey up at Rockbridge. After watching him last week against PH show me someone VT has better except Erick Green.
Barry is being choked by the Ivy and Crooked has been on the road too long
CR – the problem with VA QB’s is that you can’t start them all. VT has rarely lacked for a 5star QBs – Michael Vick, Marcus Vick, Tyrod Taylor and now Logan Thomas. If I remember correctly Tahj Boyd commited to about a half a dozen schools before he ended up at Clemson and Russell Wilson was a much bigger baseball deal than football, still it is unfortunate we can’t have all of them. Wilson was great but I don’t think he ever beat VT and Tahj is a great QB but struggled against us – Tahj has a LOT more weapons though including 2 first round NFL receivers.
As for Percy Harvin he wanted to be a star on a star stage and that is never going to be VT (or UVA). UVA had some real stars and it didn’t help them. They’ve got NFL starters at about every position and they were terrible most of the last decade. All in all I’m happy with VT recruiting but it definitely needs a shot in the arm. The running backs this year struggled bigtime but I’m not really sure if it was as much them as the line – I honestly don’t know.