Neo
02-04-2005, 11:54 AM
Hokies rate highly, but Beamer bemoans the one that got away.
By KYLE TUCKER, The Virginian-Pilot
© February 3, 2005
National signing day is usually reserved for college football coaches to celebrate, to pat themselves on the back for another haul of talent.
And make no mistake, Virginia Tech coaches felt like they had plenty to applaud Wednesday. Of the 24 players who signed with the Hokies, it’s tough to find a dud.
In fact, Tech polished off what many would call one of its finest recruiting classes in recent memory — one rated No. 15 in the nation by Rivals.com. The Hokies landed players from six states, including four of the top five and 10 of the top 20 in Virginia.
“There’s probably never been a time when we’ve recruited as well as right now,” Tech coach Frank Beamer said. “We think we really helped our football team today.”
For that, he’s thrilled. But it’s the one that got away that had Beamer fighting mad.
Jonathan Hannah, one of the nation’s top tight ends , signed with South Carolina — Steve Spurrier’s new team — after orally committing to Tech just last week.
His surprising change of heart played a major part in the Hokies’ drop from ninth to 15th in the recruiting rankings.
“That was a big loss,” Rivals.com national analyst Bobby Burton said. “But late changes happen every year.”
On the same day Hannah reneged on Tech, quarterback Ryan Perrilloux — rated by some as the top overall prospect in the country — pulled out of his commitment to Texas and signed with LSU. Later in the day, LSU lost superstar defensive end Jerrell Powe, who ditched the Tigers in favor of Ole Miss.
The list goes on. And Beamer’s disgusted.
“I think we’re working against ourselves when a kid verbally commits somewhere and some people keep trying to recruit him,” Beamer said . “You’re trying to get him to break his word. You’re telling him his word doesn’t mean anything.
“It’s wrong. I don’t think we as football coaches should be going around trying to get players to break their word to other schools.”
With that rant out of the way, Beamer turned his attention to the impressive class that remained. The Hokies signed seven prep All-Americans and filled several of their needs for the future.
Cornerback Victor Harris, the consensus No. 1 recruit in Virginia and a Parade All-American, highlighted a trio of corners for Tech. The Hokies also brought in five defensive linemen, two linebackers and a safety.
“Before the season started, we put down a number that we planed to recruit at each position,” Beamer said, “and we came very close to matching numbers exactly.”
On offense, Tech signed a pair of nationally rated quarterbacks, a star running back, fullback and tight end, along with five linemen, where Tech needed the most help.
Ike Whitaker, from Germantown, Md., is rated the No. 3 dual-threat quarterback in the country by Rivals.com. Oscar Smith’s Greg Boone arrives as the No. 15 quarterback in the nation.
Tech already has three passers on the roster.
“You better be good at quarterback,” Beamer said. “Now we’ve got to go out there and see who’s the guy who plays the most.”
Phoebus tailback Elan Lewis joins the Hokies after rushing for 4,795 yards and 75 touchdowns in his last two seasons. Rivals rates him the No. 12 back in the nation.
“What a running back I think he’s going to be,” Beamer said.
Fullback Kenneth Jefferson (5-foot-10, 230 pounds), from DeMatha Catholic in Maryland, is rated ninth nationally at his position. Ed Wang, from Ashburn, is ranked the No. 14 tight end in the country.
On the line, North Stafford’s Antonio North highlights a five-man class with an average size of 6-5, 293. North is rated the nation’s No. 23 guard.
Tech even got the state’s top punter in Brent Bowden.
“The strength of their group is the overall quality,” Burton said. “It’s not any single player. They’ve got depth and quality. I don’t think they took many second-tier or Plan-B guys.”
Deveon Simmons certainly wasn’t anyone’s Plan B. The Landstown star is rated the No. 8 outside linebacker in the country and will join the Hokies alongside fellow all-state linebacker Demetrius Taylor from Kellam.
Their signing, plus Boone’s, will bring the number of South Hampton Roads’ players on Tech’s roster to just under 20.
“We feel great about how our recruiting has gone in that area,” Beamer said. “You look at our football team and that’s one of the reasons we’ve been to 12 straight bowls.
“Boone’s just a talented guy. Excellent quarterback, excellent athlete. Tough as heck. Deveon, you’re talking about a player. He’ll chase you down and he’ll whack you when he gets there. Taylor? Same deal.”
Minus the day’s one disappointment, the class of 2005 has been declared a success. Pleased as he was, Beamer was still in a skeptical mood.
“I think it makes for great conversation,” Beamer said. “But things change a lot in the next three or four years. They need to get in and see where they fit and how they live up to their billing.” But for now, there’s something to celebrate.
Reach Kyle Tucker at 446-2374 or at kyle.tucker@pilotonline.com
http://home.hamptonroads.com/stories/story.cfm?story=81545&ran=171597
By KYLE TUCKER, The Virginian-Pilot
© February 3, 2005
National signing day is usually reserved for college football coaches to celebrate, to pat themselves on the back for another haul of talent.
And make no mistake, Virginia Tech coaches felt like they had plenty to applaud Wednesday. Of the 24 players who signed with the Hokies, it’s tough to find a dud.
In fact, Tech polished off what many would call one of its finest recruiting classes in recent memory — one rated No. 15 in the nation by Rivals.com. The Hokies landed players from six states, including four of the top five and 10 of the top 20 in Virginia.
“There’s probably never been a time when we’ve recruited as well as right now,” Tech coach Frank Beamer said. “We think we really helped our football team today.”
For that, he’s thrilled. But it’s the one that got away that had Beamer fighting mad.
Jonathan Hannah, one of the nation’s top tight ends , signed with South Carolina — Steve Spurrier’s new team — after orally committing to Tech just last week.
His surprising change of heart played a major part in the Hokies’ drop from ninth to 15th in the recruiting rankings.
“That was a big loss,” Rivals.com national analyst Bobby Burton said. “But late changes happen every year.”
On the same day Hannah reneged on Tech, quarterback Ryan Perrilloux — rated by some as the top overall prospect in the country — pulled out of his commitment to Texas and signed with LSU. Later in the day, LSU lost superstar defensive end Jerrell Powe, who ditched the Tigers in favor of Ole Miss.
The list goes on. And Beamer’s disgusted.
“I think we’re working against ourselves when a kid verbally commits somewhere and some people keep trying to recruit him,” Beamer said . “You’re trying to get him to break his word. You’re telling him his word doesn’t mean anything.
“It’s wrong. I don’t think we as football coaches should be going around trying to get players to break their word to other schools.”
With that rant out of the way, Beamer turned his attention to the impressive class that remained. The Hokies signed seven prep All-Americans and filled several of their needs for the future.
Cornerback Victor Harris, the consensus No. 1 recruit in Virginia and a Parade All-American, highlighted a trio of corners for Tech. The Hokies also brought in five defensive linemen, two linebackers and a safety.
“Before the season started, we put down a number that we planed to recruit at each position,” Beamer said, “and we came very close to matching numbers exactly.”
On offense, Tech signed a pair of nationally rated quarterbacks, a star running back, fullback and tight end, along with five linemen, where Tech needed the most help.
Ike Whitaker, from Germantown, Md., is rated the No. 3 dual-threat quarterback in the country by Rivals.com. Oscar Smith’s Greg Boone arrives as the No. 15 quarterback in the nation.
Tech already has three passers on the roster.
“You better be good at quarterback,” Beamer said. “Now we’ve got to go out there and see who’s the guy who plays the most.”
Phoebus tailback Elan Lewis joins the Hokies after rushing for 4,795 yards and 75 touchdowns in his last two seasons. Rivals rates him the No. 12 back in the nation.
“What a running back I think he’s going to be,” Beamer said.
Fullback Kenneth Jefferson (5-foot-10, 230 pounds), from DeMatha Catholic in Maryland, is rated ninth nationally at his position. Ed Wang, from Ashburn, is ranked the No. 14 tight end in the country.
On the line, North Stafford’s Antonio North highlights a five-man class with an average size of 6-5, 293. North is rated the nation’s No. 23 guard.
Tech even got the state’s top punter in Brent Bowden.
“The strength of their group is the overall quality,” Burton said. “It’s not any single player. They’ve got depth and quality. I don’t think they took many second-tier or Plan-B guys.”
Deveon Simmons certainly wasn’t anyone’s Plan B. The Landstown star is rated the No. 8 outside linebacker in the country and will join the Hokies alongside fellow all-state linebacker Demetrius Taylor from Kellam.
Their signing, plus Boone’s, will bring the number of South Hampton Roads’ players on Tech’s roster to just under 20.
“We feel great about how our recruiting has gone in that area,” Beamer said. “You look at our football team and that’s one of the reasons we’ve been to 12 straight bowls.
“Boone’s just a talented guy. Excellent quarterback, excellent athlete. Tough as heck. Deveon, you’re talking about a player. He’ll chase you down and he’ll whack you when he gets there. Taylor? Same deal.”
Minus the day’s one disappointment, the class of 2005 has been declared a success. Pleased as he was, Beamer was still in a skeptical mood.
“I think it makes for great conversation,” Beamer said. “But things change a lot in the next three or four years. They need to get in and see where they fit and how they live up to their billing.” But for now, there’s something to celebrate.
Reach Kyle Tucker at 446-2374 or at kyle.tucker@pilotonline.com
http://home.hamptonroads.com/stories/story.cfm?story=81545&ran=171597