Photo Credit: Jake Roth
2020 has seen Donovan McMillon go from an under-the-radar safety to arguably the fastest-rising recruit in America. That shows with McMillon having an absurd47 offers with Georgia and LSU being among the programs to have offered him since the start of April. His offer surge in 2020 is starting to be reflected in the eyes of evaluators as McMillon jumped over 500 spots in 247 Sports' rankings receiving a four-star rating and the 201st spot in their Top247.
Among those heavily pursuing McMillon is Virginia Tech ever since they offered the fast-rising Pennsylvania recruit back in February. McMillon told us that he hears a lot from the Hokies as he shared with us.
"A ton, we have an excellent relationship from Coach (Justin) Fuente and Coach (Justin) Hamilton to recruiters like Lino (Lupinetti) and many others," McMillon said.
The fact that the head coach and the defensive coordinator (who also coaches his position) shows how Donovan McMillon is a top defensive back priority for Virginia Tech.
McMillon has also built strong relationships with Justin Fuente and Justin Hamilton telling us that he has a "very solid and well" relationship with Fuente. Additionally, he had this to say about his relationship with Justin Hamilton.
"Coach and I have gotten real close between doing chalk talks, and meeting each other’s family. He and I gel real nice," McMillon said.
Those relationships, plus a very strong relationship (and just friendship in general) with recruiting assistant Lino Lupinetti are part of why the Hokies are one of the schools that intrigues McMillon the most.
"VT is one of my more intriguing schools that has so many things that I want in a university. That is one of the main reasons why they’re in my Top 15," McMillon said about where VT stands in his recruitment.
Looking ahead, Donovan McMillon told us that the only visit he currently has scheduled is an official visit to Virginia Tech June 19th-21st, another addition to a loaded weekend already including lots of four-star talent. When he does visit, it won't be his first visit as he previously visited Blacksburg for the Hokies' dominant victory over ranked Wake Forest.
While that visit may not happen depending on where society is at with regards to the COVID-19 outbreak, McMillon did tell us that Virginia Tech is certain to receive an official, the only school that McMillon is certain will receive an official at this point.
However, McMillon did tell us that he does plan to take all of his officials.
"I’m planning on going on all of them with 2-3 in the summer and the rest for game day officials," McMillon said.
McMillon did release a top 15 earlier this year and added that he plans on releasing a top 8 sometime next month. Given his plans to take an official to Virginia Tech, it seems very likely that the Hokies will make the cut though McMillon didn't give us an indication on what schools may already be locks to make the cut.
What is clear at this point is that Virginia Tech is a top contender for Donovan McMillon, but there's still plenty of work ahead in a recruitment that has exploded unlike any other in 2020.