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Virginia Tech Makes The Top 7 for Three-Star DL Mario Kendricks After Offering

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At the beginning of this past week, Mario Kendricks didn't hold an offer from Virginia Tech. Less than a week later, Kendricks has the Hokies in his top 7. On Wednesday, Virginia Tech became the 23rd program to offer Kendricks. https://twitter.com/MarioKendricks/status/996797505408065537 "I knew it was coming but I was excited to see Coach Wiles," Kendricks said about his reaction to Charley Wiles extending him an offer. The Hokies have been showing interest in Kendricks for a while and for those who pay a lot of attention to recruiting, you're probably not surprised by VT extending Kendricks an offer either. After the offer, Kendricks told us that three schools were standing out above the rest in his recruitment: Virginia Tech, NC State, and Georgia Tech. Why were the Hokies among the schools at the top for Kendricks. "Coach Wiles is very straight up and doesn’t sugarcoat anything," Kendricks said. "I like the conference they play in, and they produce great defensive linemen." Mario Kendricks added that the Hokies are already among the teams recruiting him the hardest alongside Georgia Tech, NC State, and Louisville. In addition, Kendricks hopes to visit all four of those schools plus Wake Forest and Virginia this summer. While Kendricks does have the versatility to play either defensive end or tackle in college, Kendricks told us that VT is pursuing him as a DT. Today, Kendricks revealed his top 7 which unsurprisingly included the Hokies. https://twitter.com/MarioKendricks/status/998262090774339584 Kendricks' top 7 included all six of the schools that he hopes to visit this summer plus Iowa State, the only non-ACC program to make the cut. Kendricks mentioned that VT made the cut because of his relationship with Charley Wiles, their reputation for making bowl games and developing defensive linemen, VT's great fan support, and their presence in the ACC. Going forward, Virginia Tech is likely to be a major factor in Mario Kendricks' recruitment as one of the frontrunners. However, the Hokies still have a lot o work going forward with Kendricks' summer visit likely to be an important opportunity for VT to make a big move in his recruitment.

Mario Kendricks in the Recruiting Rankings

Kendricks is ranked as the 85th best defensive end by ESPN, 59th best strongside DE by 247 Sports, and 54th best strongside DE by the 247 Sports Composite. Kendricks is ranked as the 91st best recruit in Florida by ESPN, 116th best by the 247 Sports Composite, and 110th best by 247 Sports.

Mario Kendricks' Offer List (According to 247 Sports)

  • ACC: Virginia Tech, Louisville, NC State, Georgia Tech, Virginia, Wake Forest, Duke, Pittsburgh, Syracuse
  • SEC: Arkansas, Kentucky, Mississippi State, Tennessee
  • Big 12: Iowa State
  • Big 10: Indiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Rutgers
  • AAC: Cincinnati, East Carolina, Tulane
  • Conference USA: FIU
  • Sun Belt: Troy

Photo Credit: Harley Taylor

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