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Virginia Tech Makes Final 3 for Four-Star LB Keshon Artis

Keshon Artis 1
Throughout the 2018 recruiting cycle, 757 LB Keshon Artis has been a top priority for Virginia Tech. Artis has drawn plenty of interest from up and down the East Coast. Tonight, Artis slimmed down his recruitment to his final 3 schools. https://twitter.com/asvp_ke/status/922620692318900224 Virginia Tech made the final 3 for Keshon Artis along with NC State and UCF. Artis will take official visits to all three of those schools consecutively starting with Virginia Tech this weekend, NC State next weekend, and UCF on the weekend of November 11th. Keshon Artis is ranked among the top 10 recruits in the state of Virginia and top 15 inside linebackers nationally by 247 Sports and ESPN with the 247 Sports Composite having him in the top 15 and 25 of those respective categories. Artis has a strong offer list that includes the following teams:
  • ACC: Virginia Tech, NC State, Duke, Syracuse, Virginia
  • Big 12: West Virginia
  • Big 10: Maryland, Rutgers
  • SEC: Tennessee, Missouri
  • AAC: UCF, Temple, Navy
  • Conference USA: Old Dominion, Marshall
  • MAC: Buffalo
It isn't surprising to see Virginia Tech or NC State make the cut, but it is a surprise to see UCF make it over Maryland. The Terps were seen as one of the top contenders and for them to not make the cut is a surprise. However, the three teams in the final 3 have one thing in common that Maryland doesn't; they're all ranked in the top 20 currently. As Justin Fuente said earlier today, "winning helps" in recruiting. Artis didn't set an official decision date, but with his three official visits coming in the next three weeks; it's hard seeing his recruitment extend more than a couple weeks after his final official visit followed by signing in the December window. Virginia Tech is the favorite for the 757 linebacker who they have been recruiting for a while now. Artis has consistently been one of VT's top in-state and linebacker targets in this class, and Artis has definitely shown lots of interest in the Hokies. Virginia Tech has two years of major success now under Justin Fuente, something that should be advantageous compared to the breakout seasons for NC State and UCF this year. Virginia Tech has also down well in the past at Oscar Smith High School and those relationship could prove valuable despite how the coaching staff has changed there in recent years. Zohn Burden has also proven to be an adept recruiter in the 757 and has stronger relationships than coaches from NC State and UCF have in that region. NC State appears to be the top challenger to the Hokies at this point with NC State having lots of momentum in the midst of their best season in a long time. NC State also has the benefit of hosting Artis on a huge weekend for their big game against Clemson. UCF is the underdog for Artis, but the Golden Knights have been aggressive on the trail and will make a huge push to try to pick up Artis. UCF has their best team since Blake Bortles was in Orlando with Scott Frost building a winner that should be built to last in the AAC unlike the teams that followed Bortles. Virginia Tech is the favorite for Keshon Artis and has a great chance to gain the talented four-star linebacker. However, the Hokies still have a lot of work ahead to hold off NC State and UCF for one of the top in-state recruits of the Class of 2018.

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