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3 Recruits to Watch for Virginia Tech in the Final Days of 2019 Recruiting

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The traditional National Signing Day is only a few days away as Virginia Tech is looking to add a few final pieces to their 2019 class. So far, that has included the addition of three-star JUCO DT Jaden Cunningham earlier this week, but the Hokies are hopeful to add a few more over the next few days including a pair of four-star recruits.

4* OT Doug Nester

After Virginia Tech held off Ohio State for offensive tackle Walker Culver in the 2018 class, the Hokies and Buckeyes are once again battling for an offensive line in four-star OL Doug Nester with Penn State also involved. The only difference is that Nester is currently committed to the Buckeyes with the Hokies looking to pull a late flip like they did with Dylan Rivers (from Penn State) and Bryce Watts (from Rutgers) in the 2017 class. Nester has taken official visits to Ohio State and Penn State the past two weekends with Virginia Tech getting the final official this weekend. Having the official visit, especially given the fact that Nester will be the focus of the weekend with Knox Kadum being the only other known official visitor, is of great benefit to the Hokies and will allow Justin Fuente and his staff to make a massive, final pitch days before Signing Day. Of course, the Hokies still have to deal with the fact that Nester has stayed committed to Ohio State even with the coaching change that appeared to cause Nester to somewhat open things up and consider a couple of other options. From what we've previously heard, Virginia Tech feels good, but that also seems to be the case with Ohio State and Penn State, telling us even more that this decision process is wide open. While that would likely make Ohio State the slight favorite given his current commitment status, Penn State and Virginia Tech both have very respectable chances to flip him. If the Hokies are able to, it would give Virginia Tech what may be their best offensive line class in program history with the four-star Nester joining four-star OL Bryan Hudson, who has impressive offers, and three-star OL Jesse Hanson and Will Pritchard. That class is about as talented of an offensive line class as Virginia Tech has had in a long time though the 2020 class definitely has a chance to compete with that one given the interest from four-star OTs Bryn Tucker and Michael Carmody. The question is can the Hokies pull it off and flip Nester? This weekend presents as great of an opportunity as any to make one final push for the four-star West Virginian.

4* LB Eugene Asante

At the start of December, Eugene Asante was a borderline three-star RB recruit by recruiting services without a single Power 5 offer. Now, Asante has blown up unlike any other recruit in the Commonwealth over the past few years with double-digit Power 5 offers along with emerging as a four-star linebacker recruit by ESPN, 247 Sports, and the 247 Sports Composite. Virginia Tech made a run at trying to get Asante to sign with the Hokies during the Early Signing Window hosting the four-star LB on an official visit days beforehand along with many of VT's current signees. Despite not convincing him to sign then, the Hokies have remained the frontrunner for Asante and we have heard nothing to suggest changing our prediction away from Virginia Tech. Of course, the Hokies still have work to do especially after Asante took an official to Florida State last weekend, has an official set for North Carolina this weekend, and included Nebraska and Maryland along with the 3 aforementioned ACC schools in his top 5 earlier this week. Despite all of this, Virginia Tech has put themselves in great position thanks to his official visit in December and being the first to offer him. Right now, Virginia Tech is the favorite to sign Asante next week, but there's some work left to do before Wednesday.

3* QB Knox Kadum

With Josh Jackson and Hendon Hooker deciding to transfers, Virginia Tech is currently down to 2 scholarship QBs for next season, leading to an offer being extended to three-star QB Knox Kadum out of Georgia powerhouse Rome HS, earlier this week. https://twitter.com/KnoxKadum/status/1090655597647880192 The offer seemed completely out of left field at the time with Hooker having not announced his decision to transfer just yet. However, this offer is clearly a move to try to get the best possible QB that VT truly has a realistic chance to add, and Kadum seems to fit the bill. Right now, the Hokies are the overwhelming favorites to get the Rome HS star with his 247 Sports page stating that he decommitted from JMU yesterday along with noting that Kadum will be taking an official visit to Virginia Tech this weekend. Kadum doesn't have the biggest arm, but he is a proven winner who has led Rome HS to lots of success over the past few years. Kadum also didn't throw a single interception this past season with his accuracy and good timing he's had with his receivers considered a major plus according to what we've heard. It seems simply inevitable that Kadum will end up with the Hokies whether he commits to VT over the weekend or simply signs with the Hokies on National Signing Day.

Photo Credit: Harley Taylor

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