Photo Credit: Harley Taylor
Ian Mathews has been one of the fastest-rising defensive recruits of this fall with the talented Georgia defensive tackle earning several Power 5 offers including one from Virginia Tech. The offer didn't come as a surprise given Tech's desire to get bigger on the defensive line and the Hokies lacking a defensive tackle commit at this point.
The good news for the Hokies is that they are among the main contenders in his recruitment.
Mathews told us that Virginia Tech is among seven schools currently standing out in his recruitment along with Auburn, Florida State, South Carolina, Georgia Tech, Arkansas, and Duke. He had this to say about why the Hokies are currently standing out for him.
"The coaches have made it clear they want me there to play," Mathews said.
Mathews also told us that he does have some leaders among those standing out though he declined to name which schools specifically. However, the fact that Mathews feels quite wanted by the Hokies is definitely a good sign for their hopes and current standing among those standing out.
Defensive line coach Darryl Tapp is leading the charge in the Hokies' pursuit of Mathews with the talented DT telling us that he has a "good" relationship with Tapp. He also hears from Tech as a whole on a weekly basis with Tapp being among that contingent.
Looking ahead, Mathews told us that he plans to make a decision on December 16th currently which would allow him to sign with his next school during the Early Signing Window. When Mathews does make his decision, he has a good idea about what the key factors will be for him.
"If the school truly fits me, if the academics are good, and how the community is," Mathews said.
Virginia Tech should benefit from the fact that they were among the first Power 5 programs to offer him along with Duke and Georgia Tech. Florida State is also making a heavy push and in some ways, might be argued as the slight, on-paper favorite at this time.
The Hokies are in the hunt for Ian Mathews who has seen his recruitment take off this fall and no enters the closing stretch of his recruitment before the Early Signing Window.
