Virginia Tech's recruiting momentum continued to build as the Hokies secured a pledge from Javian Jones-Priest, a highly sought-after running back out of Arlington, Texas. The Arlington Martin High School standout chose Virginia Tech over a pair of Power Four heavyweights in Florida and Oregon, making his commitment official earlier today.
At 5-foot-10 and 194 pounds, Jones-Priest carries a frame that evaluators consider nearly college-ready — and as a 2027 prospect, he still has a full season of high school football ahead of him.
The 247Sports composite slots him at No. 363 nationally with a composite score of 0.8975, earning him four-star status on that board. 247Sports' own ranking places him 29th among running backs and 55th in Texas, while the composite has him at 28th at his position and 50th in the state.
His junior campaign backed up every bit of that ranking. Playing in one of the most competitive districts in Texas, Jones-Priest topped 1,150 rushing yards across ten games, closed the year with a 217-yard explosion in his finale, and found the end zone 12 times. He also made his presence felt on special teams, blocking both a punt and a field goal throughout the season.
The offer sheet told its own story. Jones-Priest drew interest from more than 30 programs, including Oklahoma State, TCU, SMU, and Texas Tech, making Virginia Tech's win on the recruiting trail a significant one.
With the commitment, Virginia Tech's 2026 class has climbed to 14th in the country and second in the ACC behind Miami.
Jones-Priest becomes the third running back committed to Virginia Tech in this cycle, joining Kelvin Morrison and Stanley Smart.