Here are the profiles for the members of the recruiting class, with the exception of DeAntre Rhodes, who was portrayed last year:
Nick Acree
6-5, 295, DT
Fork Union; King WIlliam, Va.
Stats: Did not play this past season after suffering a torn ACL last July.
Top honors: A SuperPrep and PrepStar All-American … The No. 9 prospect in Virginia by The Roanoke Times and No. 10 by SuperPrep.
Why he chose Tech: “I loved the family atmosphere there. I love the surroundings. It was just a place where I knew I’d be at home and I’m excited to get there and make an immediate impact.”
On committing to Tech as a sophomore: “I just had a good feeling. Sometimes, God shows you a direction. He showed me and my family and we didn’t ask any questions.”
On how he injured his knee and missed the season: “We were doing some drills [over the summer] on a terrible surface. The floor just would not give, and me being 300 pounds … well, I injured my knee. I had a slightly torn ACL. Even with that, I was doing fine, running and all that. But we thought it would be smart to get it repaired now rather than wait. I’m glad I experienced that now instead of in college.”
On how his knee feels now: “I just got released to be able to play football. It’s fine. I had already been doing some squatting and heavy lifting. I just hadn’t been released to play football, but now I have.”
On whether his development is behind after having missed this past season: “I think it [the injury] has put me ahead a lot. I was able to work out more and get stronger and faster, so that was a blessing. I was also able to really study the game. I studied certain moves and techniques and was able to get a background on the game of football. So I think the injury paid off.”
On his position: “I love defense, but it wouldn’t surprise me if they moved me to offensive tackle. I have quick feet and long arms. I wouldn’t be shocked. I’d be excited.”
Notables: Born Dec. 20, 1990 in West Point, Va. … Son of Vann and Rochelle Acree … Has one older brother … Contemplated major is psychology or something related to sports medicine.
Matt Arkema
6-3, 284, OL
Midlothian High; Midlothian, Va.
Top honors: The No. 16 prospect in Virginia by Rivals and No. 18 by The Roanoke Times … First-team All-Group AAA selection at guard this past season by both the Associated Press and the Virginia High School Coaches Association … A first-team All-Dominion District selection and an All-Central Region selection following his senior season … Earned first-team All-Met honors by the Richmond Times-Dispatch.
Why he chose Tech: “I really like the coaches and the atmosphere there. The players are great. It’s a lot like a family down there. I knew Virginia Tech was the right place for me, so I committed early. I didn’t want to waste any of the coaches’ time or my own. There was no need to draw the process out.”
On his projected position at Tech: “I think I’ll be at [offensive] guard. I like it a lot. That’s what I played in high school. I also played some at defensive tackle and defensive end, but I like offense better. I’m much better at it. It’s a lot more fun to me.”
On his strengths and weaknesses: “I think my strengths are my aggressiveness and footwork. I play until the whistle blows. I probably need to improve my strength and speed and some technique stuff.”
On his favorite moment as a player: “I’d have to say beating Huguenot my junior year. We beat them at the end of the game. We scored the winning touchdown on a running play on the left side [where he was lined up], and then on the two-point conversion, I pulled and threw a block for the quarterback. I also played defense that game. So I’d like to think I had a hand in us winning.”
Notables: Born Aug. 18, 1991 in Richmond … Son of Bruce and Caroline Arkema … Has a brother who is a freshman in high school … Contemplated major is business, with thoughts of going into law.
Detrick Bonner
6-0, 180, CB
Luella High; McDonough, Ga.
Stats: Had 74 tackles and three interceptions as a senior … Caught 24 passes for 504 yards and four touchdowns as a junior … Also had 26 tackles and one interception as a junior.
Top honors: Listed as the No. 82 prospect in Georgia by Scout.com and No. 78 by SuperPrep … Earned first-team all-district honors as a junior and senior.
Why he chose Tech: “I love how they produce great cornerbacks there. I’m a corner and the history of the position there made me want to come there.”
On why he likes cornerback so much: “You’ve got to be confident to play the position and I’m a confident person. I’m skillful at it. It’s what I do best. I like defense and I don’t mind the one-on-one match-up with a receiver. I like it a lot.”
On his strengths and weaknesses: “I read offenses well and I learn quickly. I think I’m athletic and can cover well. As a receiver, I catch the ball well. My speed is decent. I probably need to work on speed and strength, and technique. I’m sure there’s a lot I need to do to be a better player.”
On how his season went: “I thought it went really well for me. The team didn’t have that great of a season, but I thought I played well. I made a lot of plays. I’d say it was my best season, period.”
On his most memorable moment as a player: “I’d say it was my junior year. We were in the playoffs playing against the top-rated team in the region. I took a punt back for a touchdown, but we lost the game.”
On his favorite NFL players: “I’d say Champ Bailey, Reggie Bush and Larry Fitzgerald. I really like Champ Bailey. He’s an exciting player and he’s a shutdown corner. I like watching him play.”
Notables: Born Feb. 15, 1992 in Miami … Son of Demetris Brown and Vicki Wilson … Has four younger sisters and two younger brothers … Contemplated major is physiology.
Nick Dew
6-2, 210, OLB
First Colonial High; Virginia Beach, Va.
Top honors: A SuperPrep All-American … Listed as the No. 6 safety in the nation by ESPN/Scouts Inc., and the No. 15 safety by Rivals … Ranked as the No. 6 prospect in Virginia by Rivals and SuperPrep and No. 8 by The Roanoke Times … Named first-team All-Beach District as a linebacker … A second-team selection as a linebacker to the All-Tidewater team as composed by The Virginian-Pilot … Played in the Under Armour All-Star Game in Orlando, Fla., on Jan. 2.
Why he chose Tech: “I pretty much grew up a Hokie. When I first met Aaron Rouse [a former Tech rover], I fell in love with Virginia Tech then. He and I have a growing relationship. I saw him recently and we’re pretty close.
“There are also a lot of guys from Tidewater there [at Tech] and that played into it. I went on an unofficial [visit] there and I went to camp there, though I didn’t participate – I just went to take a look at the campus. There are a lot of guys from Tidewater there and I was comfortable with that.”
On his position at Tech: “I think they’re looking at me as a whip linebacker, but maybe strong safety [rover] or free safety. If I had to pick, I’d like to play strong safety. I’m used to lining up close to the line of scrimmage and helping against the run or dropping back and trying to make a play.”
On his favorite player: “I’d have to say Brian Dawkins [former Philadelphia Eagles and current Denver Broncos safety]. I like the leadership that he shows and his focus. Plus, I’m a huge Eagles fan.”
On his favorite hobby: “I love to shop. I’m always going to Foot Locker and getting sports apparel. I’ve always had a lot of sneakers. I like looking at all the colors and schemes. I can’t really explain it. I just like it.”
Notables: Born Feb. 17, 1991 in Virginia Beach, Va. … Son of Wesley Dew and Niki Dew-Bennett … Has an older and a younger brother … Also a standout in track, having qualified recently for the junior nationals in the 55-meter hurdles … Contemplated majors are sociology, sports medicine or business management.
Caleb Farris
6-4, 295, OL
Rockbridge County High; Fairfield, Va.
Top honors: Rated the No. 14 prospect in Virginia by Rivals and No. 21 by Scout.com … Listed as the No. 35 prospect in Virginia by SuperPrep and No. 39 by The Roanoke Times … A second-team All-Timesland selection by The Roanoke Times after his junior season … Named The Roanoke Times’ Sizzlin’ Sophomore of the Year after his sophomore season … Played in the Offense-Defense All-American Bowl in Myrtle Beach, S.C.
Why he chose Tech: “All my family loves Virginia Tech. It’s an hour and 25 minutes from the door and I’ve always been a fan. All throughout the recruiting process, I was telling people that I wanted to be a Hokie. Once I got the offer, I knew where I’d be going.”
On playing for a struggling team his senior season: “It was quite rough. We lost a lot of seniors the year before and then we had some guys who did not play [this season]. Some had family issues and we had some injuries. It was just me and another senior. We had a small team [in terms of numbers] and we lost some close games. We had chances, but couldn’t get over the hump. It was a good experience, though.”
On being injured: “I tweaked my hamstring and I missed the first three games. That about killed me. I had started 37 straight games since my freshman year, but we wanted to get it healed. It was a precautionary thing. I’m 100 percent now.”
On grayshirting (he will enroll in January of 2011): “There were so many more pros than cons. I’ll have more time for training and I’ll have an opportunity for a double major or for a master’s degree. I’m going to take three classes this fall at either Dabney Lancaster Community College [in Covington] or Virginia Western Community College [in Roanoke]. That’ll put me ahead. I was all for it.”
Notables: Born Dec. 11, 1991 in Lexington, Va. … Son of Victor and Robin Heiver-Farris … Has an older brother … Contemplated major is business or communications.
Kyle Fuller
6-0, 170, DB
Mount St. Joseph’s High; Baltimore, Md.
Stats: Had an interception, but played in just three games his senior season because of a torn tendon in his finger … Had four interceptions as a junior, returning two for scores … Also returned a punt and a kickoff for touchdowns.
Top honors: Rated the No. 14 prospect in the Mid-Atlantic (D.C. and Maryland) by SuperPrep … Listed as the No. 42 cornerback in the nation by ESPN/Scouts Inc. … Played in the Maryland Crab Bowl, an all-star game featuring public and private school players in Maryland.
Why he chose Tech: “It came down to choosing the school I was the most comfortable with. I didn’t want schools to make me rush my decision. That’s something my brother told me. He told me that when I was comfortable and ready to then make my decision. That’s what I did.”
On the impact his brother, former Tech defensive back Vincent Fuller, had on his decision: “He wasn’t a factor on which schools I looked at or why. We talked, but he tried to stay out of it. Obviously, he was happy for me. Everyone here was happy. I talked to a lot of people and everyone was saying that the decision would come down to me and how I felt.”
On his position at Tech: “I think they’re looking at me as a cornerback or a safety. I’ve never played safety, but I’m very comfortable at cornerback. Some scouts say I have the size and range to play safety, but I feel more comfortable at corner.”
On missing most of his senior season: “It was very tough. But I’m fine now. I’m ready to get in a groove and get ready for next season.”
On his favorite NFL player: “Obviously, my brother [who plays for the Tennessee Titans]. But I also like Charles Woodson. My brother and I talk quite a bit. It’s good to have someone to talk to who has played at that level.”
Notables: Born Feb. 16, 1992 in Baltimore … Son of Vincent and Nina Fuller … Has two older brothers and one younger brother … His older brother, Corey, runs track at Kansas … Contemplated major is business information technology.
Laurence Gibson
6-4, 296, OL
Buena High/Hargrave Military Academy; Sierra Vista, Ariz.
Top honors: Rated the No. 2 prep school prospect in the nation by Rivals … Earned second-team All-5A Southern-I region honors as a defensive lineman following his senior season at Buena.
Why he chose Tech: “This is the place where I felt the most comfortable. I liked the town and the people. I thought this was one of the best choices I had and this was a place where I could be happy.”
On being so far away from Arizona: “Well, I only lived in Arizona for two years. My mom is in the military and we’ve lived everywhere – Georgia, Virginia, North Carolina, California, Las Vegas. So I’m used to moving around. I won’t get homesick at all. I’ll be fine.”
On how he ended up at Hargrave: “I didn’t have any offers coming out of high school. I haven’t been playing football that long. I started in the ninth grade and I weighed about 150 pounds. So I went to Hargrave to get some looks and I got my weight up to 295. The coaches there really helped me. They put me in a position where a lot of college coaches could look at me. After I went there, I probably had around 30 offers.”
On his strengths and weaknesses: “I think I’ve shown good athleticism and I don’t stop until the whistle blows. If I get a pancake on a play, I keep playing and try to get two on the same play. I probably need to work on my hand placement and getting bigger, faster and stronger.”
Notables: Born March 19, 1991 in Fayetteville, N.C. (Fort Bragg) … Son of Michelle Nash … Has a younger sister … Contemplated major is business management.
Derrick Hopkins
6-0, 275, DE
Highland Springs High; Richmond, Va.
Stats: Finished with 59 tackles, including 13 for a loss, and nine sacks his senior season … Also had 13 hurries, forced three fumbles and recovered three fumbles … Had an interception and a defensive touchdowns … Recorded 12 tackles for a loss and five sacks as a junior … Had 49 tackles, including eight for a loss, his sophomore season.
Top honors: The No. 12 prospect in Virginia by The Roanoke Times and No. 17 by Scout.com … A first-team All-Group AAA defensive lineman by the Virginia High School Coaches Association and a second-team selection as a guard … The Capital District defensive player of the year … Earned first-team all-district and all-region honors for the second straight year and was a first-team All-Metro selection by the Richmond Times-Dispatch for the third straight year.
Why he chose Tech: “It’s a good school and has great academics. I liked everything about it. I had a good feeling about it and it was a good fit for me.”
On the impact his brother, Antoine, had on his decision: “None, really. Even if he hadn’t been there, I would have picked Tech anyway.”
On playing with his brother: “It’s going to be great. Not many people can say they’ve done that. It’s a great opportunity for the both of us. Our parents are pretty excited.”
On his strengths and weaknesses: “I think I’m a good run stopper, but I can rush the passer. I have a low base and quick hands. I probably need to work on keeping my pads low and playing with quicker feet and getting into shape. I’m at 280 now, but I want to get stronger.”
On his most memorable moment: “I intercepted a pass against Hanover my freshman year and returned it for a touchdown.”
Notables: Born Dec. 16, 1991 in Richmond … Son of Gary and Jackie Hopkins … Has a younger brother in addition to an older brother … Also plays basketball and participates in track … Wants to get into sports medicine or athletic training.
Brian Laiti
6-3, 210, LB
Robinson High; Fairfax Station, Va.
Stats: Tallied 123 tackles, nine for a loss, and four sacks this past season … Recorded 147 tackles, including seven for a loss, and five sacks his junior season.
Top honors: Ranked the No. 13 prospect in Virginia by The Roanoke Times and No. 15 by Rivals … Listed as the No. 36 outside linebacker prospect in the nation by ESPN/Scouts Inc. … Named The Washington Post’s defensive player of the year this past season … First-team All-Group AAA as a linebacker by both the Associated Press and the Virginia High School Coaches Association … Also the Concorde District and Northern Region defensive player of the year … An honorable selection to the All-Met team as a junior.
Why he chose Tech: “I really like their defense. They have a top-10 defense every year and I wanted to go there. They also have a great campus and great student body. I can see myself having a great time there.”
On how he sees himself fitting in at Tech: “I think I’ll be an inside linebacker there. I’ll play anywhere to get on the field. We ran a 4-3 defense here and it was similar to Tech’s defense, so I’m used to it. I really like their blitz packages.”
On his strengths and weaknesses: “I’d say my strength is diagnosing plays. I recognize them quickly and find out where the ball is going to be. I need to work on my pass coverage, getting into passing lanes and taking deeper drops.”
On his favorite NFL player: “Sean Taylor [former Washington Redskins safety]. He’s one of the best free safeties ever to play the game, probably the best.”
On being a good lacrosse player: “I’ve played football since I was 10 or 11 years old, but I also played lacrosse. I played until the ninth or 10th grade. But once I got a scholarship offer for football, I gave up lacrosse. I wanted to work hard on football and get ready for the next level.”
Notables: Born May 17, 1992 in Fairfax, Va. … Son of Peter and Lisa Laiti … Has three older brothers (Peter, Patrick and David) … Contemplated major is business.
Mark Leal
6-0, 190, QB
Atlantic Community High; Greenacres, Fla.
Stats: Threw for 2,255 yards and 25 touchdowns this past season (three interceptions) and also rushed for four touchdowns … Threw for 2,355 yards and 21 touchdowns (seven interceptions) as a junior … Holds school records in passing yards and touchdowns.
Top honors: Rated the No. 28 dual-threat quarterback in the nation by Rivals … Ranked the No. 55 quarterback prospect in the nation by ESPN/Scouts Inc. … Named first-team All-Palm Beach County (Class 6A).
Why he chose Tech: “They have a great team, an always-in-the-top-10 kind of team. Plus, I was looking at schools away from here. I wanted to get away and the academics are great there. I know Jayron Hosley [current Tech cornerback] and he’s been telling me how great it was there and how the fans were. He loves it there and that persuaded me. Even if he hadn’t been there, I still think Virginia Tech would have been my top school.”
On being a good fit for Tech’s offense: “What they [Tech] do there is similar to what we’ve been running at my high school for the past three years. We probably do a little more shotgun. That’s really about it. I’ve been used to that type of offense for so long now.”
On how he compares with Tyrod Taylor: “I think we’re similar. He’s more of a runner than I am. But other than that, we pretty much have similar styles.”
On his strengths and weaknesses: “I like to spread the ball around and take what the defense gives me. I hit a lot of receivers and try to get everyone involved. A lot of people panic when they see people moving around them out of the corner of their eye, but I’ll stand in there and get rid of it for a completion. The thing I need to work on is my speed. I want to get faster.”
Notables: Born Jan. 4, 1992 in Germany … The son of Mark and Jessica Leal … Father served in the Army … Has two younger brothers and a stepsister … Gave up baseball this year to avoid injury … Wants to major in something related to forensic science.
Jerome Lewis
6-3, 235, TE
Bishop Kearney High; Rochester, N.Y.
Stats: Hauled in 18 passes for 425 yards and five touchdowns his senior season … Also had 13 sacks in eight games as a defensive end … Caught 10 passes for 348 yards and a touchdown his junior season … Had 56 tackles and seven sacks as a junior.
Top honors: Rated the No. 3 prospect in New York by Rivals and Scout.com and No. 5 by SuperPrep … A first-team All-Class C selection as a defensive end (all-state in NY) … A member of the 2009 All-Greater Rochester team as comprised by The Democrat and Chronicle … Played in the Offense-Defense All-American Bowl in Myrtle Beach, S.C. … Also played in the New Jersey-Northeast All-Star Classic.
Why he chose Tech: “I really have a great relationship with Coach [Charley] Wiles. With that coaching staff, the players come first. You’re not there just to play football. They care about what you’re going to do after college.”
On picking a school so far from home: “There wasn’t any hesitation on my part, but at first there was a lot of hesitation on my family’s part. My mom wanted me to pick a school closer to home. But I always wanted to be a Hokie. I had a top-four list, but no matter who was in my top four, Tech was always in it.”
On his position at Tech: “I’m going there to be a tight end. I played it in high school. I was a stand-up tight end in our spread offense, and I like how the tight ends get involved at Tech. I’m ready for that.”
On being from Jamaica: “I lived there until I was 7 or 8. My mother-in-law thought it was best to get up there [to the U.S.], so my mom moved to Florida. I lived with my grandparents in Kingston for a while and then moved to Florida. I went to elementary school there, and then my mom thought it was best to move to Rochester. We had some relatives in that area and thought that it was the best opportunity for us, so in 2001, we moved here.”
Notables: Born Dec. 10, 1991 in Kingston, Jamaica … Son of Alivia Gaskins … Has a younger brother … Part of a team that won a state championship in basketball his junior season … Contemplated major is business or communications.
Zack McCray
6-5, 235, DE
Brookville High; Forest, Va.
Stats: Recorded 96 tackles (56 solo), with 13 sacks his senior season … Caught four passes for 44 yards and two touchdowns this past season … Had 20 sacks as a junior.
Top honors: A SuperPrep and PrepStar All-American … Rated the No. 5 prospect in Virginia by The Roanoke Times and No. 7 by SuperPrep … Listed as the No. 24 defensive end prospect in the nation by Scout.com and No. 35 by ESPN/Scouts Inc. … Played in the Offense/Defense All-Star Game in Myrtle Beach, S.C. … Earned first-team all-district and all-region honors as a senior and first-team all-district, all-region and all-state honors as a junior.
Why he chose Tech: “I’ve always been a Virginia Tech fan. The first game I ever went to was the Florida State game there my sophomore year [in 2007] and the fans were amazing. The coaches are laid back and the players welcomed me like I was one of them.”
On whether Logan Thomas, his cousin and current Tech quarterback, impacted his decision: “He didn’t really play any role. He said he wasn’t going to say anything to me. We had a short discussion about it and he told me to take my time. Other than that, he didn’t say one word to me about coming there.”
On his senior season: “I had a pretty good season, but it wasn’t like my junior year. I only had 13 sacks [he had 20 as a junior]. Teams ran to the opposite side of me and quarterbacks used a lot of three-step drops and threw it quickly. They respected me because they knew I could make plays – and in a way, that’s good. But as a player, you want to be challenged.”
On his interesting hobby: “I’m really into cars. I go to car shows every now and then. Ever since I was little, I could name any kind car, the make, the model, how much it cost … and there’s no reason why. I was able to pick up on stuff like that and I’m really into it.”
Notables: Born Oct. 5, 1991 in Huntsville, Ala. … Son of Charles and Deina McCray … Has a younger sister … Contemplated major is business.
Dominique Patterson
6-2, 215, FS
King’s Fork High; Suffolk, Va.
Stats: Finished with 42 tackles, including 14 for a loss, and four interceptions as a senior … Recorded 60 tackles and eight sacks as a junior.
Top honors: Listed the No. 21 prospect in Virginia by The Roanoke Times and No. 29 by both Rivals and SuperPrep … A second-team All-Tidewater selection as a linebacker this past season by The Virginian Pilot … A first-team All-Southeastern District selection as both a running back and a linebacker as a senior.
Why he chose Tech: “I’ve liked Virginia Tech ever since I was a kid. They’ve been my favorite. I knew if I got an offer from them, that’s where I was going to go. I got along with all the coaches there and everyone seems to have a good relationship. The coaches there told me they recruit players in the state first and that really stood out.”
On his future position: “They were listing me as an athlete, but I think they’re looking at me as a safety or at whip. I really don’t know and it doesn’t matter to me. I’ll do whatever to get on the field.”
On his strengths and weaknesses: “I have a knack for the ball and good awareness of what’s going on. I think I have good closing speed and make plays with the best of them. But I probably need to get stronger and faster and get a better understanding of the defense.”
On his favorite NFL player: “I really liked Sean Taylor [former safety of the Washington Redskins, who was killed in 2007]. He could do it all. He could come up and play the run and he could go and defend man-to-man. He had a knack for the ball and a great football IQ.”
Notables: Born July 13, 1992 in Suffolk, Va. … Son of Darnell and Angela Johnson … Has a younger brother and two younger sisters … Plays basketball and runs track … Is a starter on a King’s Fork basketball team that is ranked among the top five in Group AAA … Would like to major in a field related to sports management or forensic science.
Tahrick Peak
6-2, 205, LB
Pulaski County High; Radford, Va.
Stats: Had 127 tackles, including seven for a loss, and an interception as a junior.
Top honors: Listed the No. 32 outside linebacker prospect in the nation by Rivals and No. 40 by ESPN/Scouts Inc. … Rated No. 30 prospect in Virginia by The Roanoke Times and No. 32 by SuperPrep.
Why he chose Tech: “It was close to home and it’s a place I’ve wanted to go since I was a little kid. My brother is there and I’m a huge fan of Bud Foster. I like the way he runs a defense. They play at a high tempo and I like that. It wasn’t a hard decision.”
On the impact his brother, Nubian (current Tech player), had on his decision: “He didn’t really try to persuade me. He’d hit on the key points – Tech was close to home and things like that. But other than that, he let me make the decision, and it wasn’t very hard.”
On his senior season in which he missed three games with a knee injury: “It was an interesting year. Last year [his junior year], we won the district and the region, and there was a lot of pressure and expectations heading into this year. But we went 2-8 and that was a shocker to me. Last year was my first year on varsity and I was used to winning. But this year, it was different.”
On his favorite NFL players: “On offense, it’s Michael Vick and Willis McGahee. On defense, it’s Xavier Adibi and Ray Lewis. I like their mentality. On defense, you’ve got to have a different mood on the field and they both show it. I don’t get to see Adibi [a former Tech linebacker] as much now, but I know he was an All-American and a nice athlete.”
On his most memorable moment: “Probably my junior year. That was my first year of varsity and I started getting Division I offers. That was hard to forget.”
Notables: Born Jan. 26, 1992 in Radford, Va. … Son of Vernon and Donna Peak … Has three older sisters in addition to older brother Nubian … Contemplated major is civil engineering, with hopes of getting a minor in business.
Mark Shuman
6-7, 285, OL
Fork Union Military Academy; Fork Union, Va.
Top honors: A SuperPrep All-American … Ranked the No. 10 offensive guard prospect in the nation by ESPN/Scouts Inc. … Rated the No. 7 prospect in Virginia by The Roanoke Times and No. 9 by Scout.com and SuperPrep.
Why he chose Tech: “I was familiar with the program. I knew the coaches there from when my brother [Ryan] played, and I felt comfortable there. It really felt like home to me, probably because I’ve been there so much. That’s why I picked it.”
On whether Ryan, his brother and a former Tech player, impacted his decision: “He had a decent role. Just seeing him be a part of the program and knowing that Coach [Curt] Newsome coached him well and made him a great player, that had an impact. But he told me it was my decision and to do what I wanted. He said Tech was a great school, but it was my decision.”
On how his brother helped him as a player: “He really taught me a lot. He was the line coach [at Fork Union] this year and he really helped my game. I learned more from him than the previous three years combined. He’s a great coach.”
On his strengths and weaknesses: “I think my pass set is a big strength and I have quick feet. But I really need to work on everything. Everything needs more polish for me to be a good player.”
On his basketball exploits (he’s a tremendous basketball player): “Yeah, my family plays a lot of basketball. Me and my brother have had some tough battles. We play a lot because it helps you with football. It helps you have quicker feet and with being able to change directions. You’re running all the time, so it helps with conditioning, too.”
Notables: Born Nov. 18, 1991 in Charlottesville, Va. … Son of John and Patricia Shuman … Has two older sisters and an older brother … Is an outstanding basketball player and participates on the track team … Contemplated major is business.
E.L. Smiling
6-3, 180, WR
Brooke Point High; Stafford, Va.
Stats: Caught 52 passes for 783 yards and 11 touchdowns this past season … Hauled in 24 passes for 391 yards and five touchdowns as a junior.
Top honors: Ranked the No. 25 prospect in Virginia by The Roanoke Times and No. 24 by SuperPrep … Listed the No. 116 receiver prospect in the nation by ESPN/Scouts Inc., and No. 133 by Scout.com … A first-team All-Met selection by The Washington Post.
Why he chose Tech: “It’s a good school for football and has good academics, and it wasn’t far from home. I didn’t want to be too close, but not too far away. So it fit me perfectly.”
On his position: “I played wide receiver and safety and I’ll play wherever they want, but I’d prefer receiver. I like the competition of going against a good defensive back and the feeling you get when you beat that guy across from you.”
On his most memorable moment: “I’d have to say my last game [a playoff loss to Massoponax]. It was a heartbreaker. I scored our only touchdown in the fourth quarter on a 50- or 60-yard fade pattern to tie the game and I’m proud of that. But we lost in overtime.”
On his favorite receiver: “I’d say Chad Johnson [of the Cincinnati Bengals]. He’s explosive and I like his route running. I try to mold my game after his. I also like Larry Fitzgerald [of the Arizona Cardinals], too.”
On his hobbies: “I play the piano and I like to draw. I’ve always had an interest in music and it stuck with me. I play by ear – I can’t read music, not a lick. I play for my church. I love it.”
Notables: Born June 17, 1992 in Alexandria, Va. … Son of E.L. and Jeanie Smiling … Has four older sisters, a younger sister and a younger brother … Also is a very good basketball player … Contemplated major is some form of engineering, either industrial or architectural.
Justin Taylor
6-2, 218, DE
South Stanly High; Norwood, N.C.
Stats: Led his team’s conference with 16 sacks as a senior.
Top honors: Ranked the No. 30 defensive end prospect in the nation by Rivals and No. 66 by ESPN/Scouts Inc. … Listed as the No. 14 prospect in North Carolina by SuperPrep and No. 16 by Rivals … Rated the No. 14 prospect in North Carolina by the Charlotte Observer.
Why he chose Tech: “I really liked being around the coaches. I had a good vibe when I was around them. And it’s close to home. I wanted to play close to home so that my family can come and see me play.”
On his position at Tech: “I’ll be at defensive end. I like lining up and trying to jump the snap and getting after the quarterback. I played some linebacker, too, but I’ll be at defensive end there.”
On starting his football career so late: “I started playing my freshman year. My uncles and one of the coaches told me that I needed to come out and play. I always liked basketball growing up and that’s what I had focused on playing until I went out for football.”
On his strengths and weaknesses: “I’m always going hard and never give up. I think I do a good job of reading plays, too. I need to work on using my hands better and on my technique.”
On his most memorable moment: “I’d have to say when I made the first hit of the season in my first year of varsity. It was a kickoff and the guy caught it. He took two steps and I hit him hard. After that, I just kept going hard. I wasn’t scared.”
Notables: Born May 5, 1992 in Albemarle, N.C. … Son of Henry Taylor and Samantha Ledbetter … Has an older brother and an older sister … Also a standout basketball player … Contemplated major is business.
Chase Williams
6-1, 228, LB
Loudoun County High; Leesburg, Va.
Stats: Recorded 173 tackles, including 24 for a loss, and 11 sacks as a senior … Had 163 tackles as a junior … Caught 36 balls for 481 yards as a tight end his junior season.
Top honors: Rated the No. 12 inside linebacker prospect in the nation by Rivals and No. 23 by Scout.com … Listed the No. 11 prospect in Virginia by The Roanoke Times and No. 12 by SuperPrep … A first-team All-Met selection by The Washington Post … A first-team All-Group AA selection as a linebacker by the Virginia High School Coaches Association.
Why he chose Tech: “I visited here with my dad over the summer and got to sit down with Coach Beamer and Coach Foster. After that, I really felt comfortable here. I thought this place would be a good fit for me.”
On graduating from high school and enrolling at Tech early: “I thought it would be an advantage for me both athletically and academically. I’m able to come in early and go through a spring practice and get a whole semester in academically. I’m able to see how college is different than high school rather than trying to do that during the season.”
On his position at Tech: “I’ll be an inside linebacker, either a mike linebacker or a backer. I feel that’s where I can help the team the most. I like inside linebacker and I feel comfortable there. I played middle linebacker and tight end in high school, but I’ll start out on defense. If it happens that they move me to tight end, then I’ll move to tight end.”
On the impact of his father, New Orleans Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, has been on him: “He’s been a great help and my brother [Blake, who also coaches with the Saints] has been, too. It’s just a great advantage having been in an NFL locker room before and in the meetings and just being around those guys. You pick up bits of information that you never would have gained otherwise.”
Notables: Born Oct. 16, 1991 in Houston, Texas … Son of Gregg and Leigh Ann Williams … Has an older brother, Blake, who played at Princeton and is an offensive assistant coach, and an older sister … Contemplated major is business.
Ricardo Young
6-0, 174, QB
H.D. Woodson High; Washington, D.C.
Stats: Completed 126-of-214 for 2,461 yards and 24 touchdowns (eight interceptions) this past season … Also ran for 356 yards and six touchdowns … Threw for 3,089 yards and 31 touchdowns (five interceptions) as a junior … Rushed for 780 yards and 11 touchdowns his junior season … His best game was a 379-yard, five-touchdown performance against Theodore Roosevelt this season.
Top honors: Listed as the No. 21 dual-threat quarterback in the nation by Rivals … Rated the No. 70 quarterback prospect in the nation by ESPN/Scouts Inc. … Ranked the No. 3 prospect in the District of Columbia by Rivals … Named first-team All-Met by The Washington Post.
Why he chose Tech: “Everything just felt right. I liked the staff and I liked the system and the goals they have here. It’s [the goals] what I want to do. I knew I could come here and be successful.”
On graduating from high school and enrolling at Tech early: “It’s something I always wanted to do. I felt I was ready to move on. I wanted to get started as early as possible so that I could put on some weight and learn the offense. I’m 170 pounds. I need to get bigger and stronger.”
On being a good fit for Tech’s offense: “I think I am. It’s like - see it, do it. Take what the defense gives you. If it’s not there, create something with your feet. They do a lot of different things on offense here and I’m used to that. We did some spread and some pro and ran some option. They use the run here to set up the pass. I like what they do. They do whatever it takes to win.”
On how he compares with Tyrod Taylor: “We sort of compare. I’m probably more grounded in passing the ball. I’m a better thrower than I am a runner. My running has developed over the past couple of years.”
Notables: Born April 3, 1992 in Washington, D.C. … Son of Kakesha Young and Ricardo Jones … Has an older brother, an older sister and five younger sisters … Has a huge interest in fashion … Contemplated major is computer engineer or business information technology.
