Virginia Tech Showing Interest in Three-Star DL Zaylin Wood

Editor

May 15, 2018, 03:00 AM

Virginia Tech may be headed for its smallest recruiting class in years, but the Hokies are making the defensive line a priority and showing plenty of defensive linemen interest. That interest includes three-star DL Zaylin Wood, a rising defensive lineman in the state of Georgia. "Virginia Tech has shown me a lot of interest. I love the facilities and I used to watch Virginia Tech play on TV sometimes," Wood said about VT's interest in him. At the moment, Wood doesn't have any schools standing out in his recruitment. This summer may change that as Wood takes some visits and has a chance to earn some more offers including power 5 offers with Virginia Tech and Georgia Tech among the power 5 schools appearing to show some interest in him. Troy is recruiting Wood the hardest while he also received an offer recently from Temple which has pushed the Owls into a "high" initial standing in his recruitment. With Temple offering, Wood told us that Virginia Tech is now the school that he feels may be the closest to offering him. Wood doesn't have any visits currently scheduled, but told us that he is hoping to take several visits this summer with Virginia Tech and Georgia Tech among those Wood is interested in visiting. Unsurprisingly, Charley Wiles has been the Virginia Tech coach that has primarily been in contact with him. At 6'2'' and around 260 pounds, Wood has the versatility to play either defensive end or defensive tackle at the collegiate level. While some defensive line recruits may have a preference for one spot over the other, Wood told us that he doesn't have a preference for DE or DT. Barry Every of Southern Pigskin and XOS Digital, one of the best talent evaluators in the Southeast, says Zaylin Wood has a high motor and the versatility to play either DE or DT in college. While some may have concerns about the fact that Wood plays at the 1A level, Every reminds us that the 1A level in Georgia has produced some elite players including Herschel Walker, Champ Bailey, and Roquan Smith. Wood has shown that he is a versatile athlete as he was the 1A state champion in shot put this past year. While many athletes seem to specialize in one sport, there is data that is starting to suggest that athletes are better off playing multiple sports, improving their athletic abilities. Virginia Tech may be set for one of their smallest recruiting classes in years, but the Hokies are casting a wide defensive line net across the East Coast including Georgia native Zaylin Wood.

Zaylin Wood in the Recruiting Rankings

Wood is ranked as the 97th best strongside DE and 131st best recruit in Georgia by 247 Sports.

Zaylin Wood's Offer List (According to 247 Sports)

AAC: Temple, Tulane
Conference USA: Middle Tennessee
Sun Belt: Troy, Arkansas State, Coastal Carolina, Georgia Southern, Georgia State, South Alabama
MAC: Kent State
CAA: James Madison
Southern: Chattanooga, Mercer, Samford, Wofford, The Citadel
Big South: Kennesaw State
Ohio Valley: Tennessee Tech