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Hokies Football: 2017 Four-Star DE Tyjuan Garbutt Commits to Virginia Tech

After a disappointing end to recruiting for the Class of 2016 on National Signing Day, Justin Fuente and the Virginia Tech Hokies got back to work on Saturday with their first Junior Day. With the Hokies focused on locking down the Commonwealth, they gained a commitment from one of Virginia's best at a need position. Four-star DE Tyjuan Garbutt of Riverbend High School in Fredericksburg, Virginia became the first junior to commit to Virginia Tech in the Justin Fuente era and the second Class of 2017 player overall to commit to the Hokies, joining three-star, in-state DB Devante Smith. Garbutt has 18 offers so far from a group of schools that includes Virginia Tech, Oklahoma, Michigan State, North Carolina, Ole Miss, Tennessee, Pittsburgh, West Virginia, Penn State, Kentucky, Iowa State, Wake Forest, Virginia, Syracuse, and Kansas. Nationally, Garbutt is ranked as the 190th best junior by the 247 Sports Composite and Rivals. Rivals ranks Garbutt as the sixth best recruit in the state of Virginia while the 247 Sports Composite has Garbutt has eighth in the state. Among DEs, Garbutt ranks sixth at weak-side DE by Rivals and 11th by the 247 Sports Composite. Garbutt has great size at 6'3'' to 6'4'' and 220 pounds with the ability to likely be at 235 to 240 before he arrives at Virginia Tech. Garbutt is a great athlete that has a big ceiling, and absolutely can make an early impact on the two-deep when he arrives for the 2017 season. Garbutt has also cancelled visits to other schools and seems unlikely to flip his commitment despite the fact that his National Signing Day is still a year away. Garbutt is a great get for the Hokies and immediately helps them at a need position especially with Ken Ekanem's graduation after the 2016 season. After many were frustrated with Bud Foster and Charley Wiles on National Signing Day for their recruiting, fans are very happy with Foster getting it done in the Fredericksburg area to get Garbutt with Wiles helping out. Reports have suggested that Foster has been reinvigorated on the recruiting trail and that seems to be showing with the Garbutt commitment. Frustrations were high about recruiting but with the staff settling in, Justin Fuente and the Hokies gained a big commitment in four-star DE Tyjuan Garbutt to make an early statement. The question that remains is will this class make a statement nationally about the recruiting direction of the Hokies? Right now, recruiting is looking a lot better in Blacksburg.
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