After only brining in two running backs in the Class of 2017 and zero in the Class of 2016, the Hokies are once again looking to add at least two running backs this cycle with one of their top targets being three-star RB Trent Pennix out of Sanderson High School in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Pennix has seen his recruitment take off this spring as he has received a host of offers from power 5 programs including Virginia Tech, Louisville, West Virginia, Minnesota, Maryland, and Wake Forest. Pennix not only has received his fair share of offers but the 6'2'' tailback has only been made a priority for many of these programs including the Hokies.
This past weekend, Trent Pennix visited Virginia Tech for the Hokies' Spring Game and after that, he updated us on the current status of his recruitment.
Trent Pennix told us that Virginia Tech is the leader in his recruitment "for sure" at this point in his recruitment. On why Virginia Tech is the leader in his recruitment, Pennix told us "I feel very comfortable around the staff, great people to be around, awesome football program, great academics, and they make me feel like home." Pennix said that his Spring Game visit was "great" and that the Spring Game atmosphere was also "great" despite rainy conditions along with praising the Hokies' coaching staff for being "welcoming."
Pennix told us that Virginia Tech, Minnesota, Louisville, and Maryland are recruiting him the hardest with Justin Fuente and Minnesota HC PJ Fleck being among the coaches that he has the best relationships with. Pennix said that he does plan to take a visit to Louisville over the summer while also stating that he is planning to make his commitment either sometime over the summer or after his final season of high school football.
When asked on what will be the key factors in making his collegiate decision, Pennix says that those factors will be "distance, academics, coaching staff, and athletic support." While those things are pretty standard, the fact that distance is mentioned fairly high on the list should be an advantageous sign for schools closer to Raleigh especially the Hokies.
Virginia Tech definitely has the distance advantage being only a few hours from Raleigh while Louisville and especially Minnesota have a disadvantage in that regard. Virginia Tech seems to also have lots of momentum in Pennix's recruitment with the three-star tailback making a couple visits to Blacksburg this spring. However, Louisville definitely appears to be a player in Pennix's recruitment with the Cardinals set to receive a visit from the Raleigh native over the summer.
Currently, the Hokies are in the driver's seat to gain Pennix's commitment which would only give the Hokies' #NC2VT movement more momentum. The question now for the Hokies is can they hold off Louisville and others to get the commitment of Trent Pennix? At this point, the odds of that seem pretty good.
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