Virginia Tech ended their week on a high note as the Hokies gained a commitment Friday night from three-star DE Jason Abbey out of Douglas Freeman HS in Richmond, VA.
110% Committed 🦃 @CoachPryVT @jcprice59 @Coach_Mines pic.twitter.com/F8BFB7cTD5
— Jason Abbey (@JasonAbbey33) April 23, 2022
Abbey chose the Hokies over offers from Vanderbilt, East Carolina, JMU, Marshall, Kent State, Akron, and Richmond. He is ranked as the ninth best recruit in Virginia in the 2023 class by On3 and the 33rd best recruit in VA by 247 Sports. He is the first in-state commit and defensive line commit for the Hokies in their 2023 class.
Abbey had this to say about why he chose Virginia Tech over his other offers.
"Just loved it since day one. I love the fan support and the coaching staff really shows love," Abbey said.
Abbey was on campus last weekend for Virginia Tech's Spring Game with that visit going quite well and appearing to set the dominos in motion for his commitment to VT.
"It was an amazing experience watching the players run out with Enter Sandman and the fans going crazy," Abbey said.
He specified as well how much of a factor it had on his decision.
"It impacted my decision a lot. I really felt the energy in the stadium," Abbey said.
His relationship with his future position coach, J.C. Price, also had a big impact on his decision to choose the Hokies.
"He had a big impact. He would call me at least once a week to check up on me," Abbey said.
Fontel Mines, who has also played a large role in recruiting the Richmond area for the Hokies, also made a big impact on Abbey's decision as he told us.
"He had a big impact. Coach Mines kept a close relationship with me since the first day he came by my school," Abbey said.
Abbey is a quality pickup to start the in-state portion of the 2023 class and another example of how the Brent Pry staff continues to prioritize recruits living in the Commonwealth of Virginia. It also shows how Pry and his staff are doing their homework beyond just the Commonwealth's traditional powers, but also keeping their eyes on talent at schools that don't have strong football recruit pedigrees like Freeman.
He also made be an underrated gem in the Commonwealth this cycle after having an impressive junior season with 89 tackles including 18 for loss with 7 sacks. Combine that with his good size at 6'4'' and Abbey might prove to be a steal for the Hokies that they should be ecstatic to have gained an April commitment from.
