2019 National Signing Day Predictions for Virginia Tech

Editor

February 06, 2019, 03:00 AM

The end of 2019 recruiting is here as Virginia Tech is looking to make a major National Signing Day splash to end their 2019 class. The Hokies have added a pair of 2019 recruits over the past two weeks in three-star JUCO DT Jaden Cunningham and three-star QB Knox Kadum who are expected to sign today while three-star ATH (and VT's longest commit) Jahad Carter will not be signing. However, the Hokies now have their eyes set on their two biggest targets since the closing of the Early Signing Window, four-star OL Doug Nester and four-star LB Eugene Asante looking to replicate their major close last year when they signed Dax Hollifield on National Signing Day. So what will Nester and Asante do today? Here are my final picks for the four-star duo.

4* OL Doug Nester

Before taking his final official visit to Virginia Tech, I would've told you that Nester was likely to stick with Ohio State given everything that was going on. This was largely a gut feeling combined with a little bit of inisght, but seemed more likely than not given Nester's lack of change in his commitment status. Fast forward to now and all that I've heard points to Doug Nester being Virginia Tech bound with the Hokies having lots of confidence that they can get the job done and pull off a shocking Signing Day flip. Since this weekend, the rumblings about Nester being Virginia Tech bound have only grown and though it is possible that Nester could end up at Ohio State or Penn State, those odds seem to be almost 0 at this point and hanging on in the distant decimal percentage chances. At this point, it would be shocking if Doug Nester did not sign with Virginia Tech in what may be the Hokies' biggest flip in program history.

Prediction: Virginia Tech

Update

According to a report from Grant Traylor of the Herald-Dispatch, four-star OL Doug Nester has officially committed to Virginia Tech. This is a massive flip for the Hokies that really came to fruition over the weekend after his official visit went extremely well, culminating in today's decision to choose Virginia Tech over Ohio State and Penn State.

4* LB Eugene Asante

Eugene Asante has been the breakout recruit of the 2019 class in the Commonwealth going from a lightly-offered, borderline three-star RB to a four-star LB who is priority for several power 5 programs. Looking back, this all started when Asante, who didn't have a single FBS offer before December and was a low three-star RB recruit, received his first Power 5 offer in December from the Hokies. From there, we've seen Asante's recruitment explode unlike any other as the now four-star LB had the tape to make him a must-get linebacker for several Power 5 programs. The Hokies made a run at trying to lock up Asante during the Early Signing Window hosting him on an official visit with most of their 2019 class days beforehand. Despite being unable to get him to sign then, the Hokies put themselves in the driver's seat. Fast forward to now and Asante has made several more official and unofficial visits including an official visit to North Carolina last weekend. Since that visit, there has been more and more talk surrounding North Carolina's chances at Asante with many national analysts leaning towards the Tar Heels likely in part due to them having the last visit. Meanwhile, rumors of Maryland being a sleeper have grown which may be partly due to Asante appearing to be at a UMD basketball game last week along with multiple 2020 recruits. https://twitter.com/GJrWorth/status/1090630597138173953 However, despite all of the talk, I am still leaning with the Hokies in part because I haven't heard enough to change my opinion based on the information I have. Obviously, things could be changing more than I would expect (and I'll change this if my information warrants that), but at this point, I stand my prediction of Asante to the Hokies.

Morning Prediction: Virginia Tech (See Updated Prediction)

1pm Update

As the day has progressed, we have received some new information that has pushed up to change our prediction from Virginia Tech to North Carolina. As we've learned, it appears UNC made a big move over the weekend on Asante's official visit and has positioned themselves to be the likely destination for Asante. Virginia Tech shouldn't be ruled out at this point, but I would expect that UNC will be the choice for Eugene Asante.