Photo Credit: Jake Roth
If you've heard of North Shore High School in Houston, the first name that most likely comes to mind is Virginia Tech's star QB commit Dematrius Davis. However, Davis isn't the only four-star recruit on his high school team.
Four-star offensive lineman Jaeden Roberts has emerged as one of the nation's best interior offensive line prospects. The Hokies are also gaining lots of traction as one of 9 schools currently standing out for him along with Alabama, LSU, Oklahoma State, Florida State, USC, Baylor, Tennessee, and Arkansas.
Roberts had this to say about why the Hokies are currently standing out for him.
"They are a very good program with a good coaching staff, they are very determined to make the best out of their players on and off the field, and among the other schools they have a good history of sending people to the next level," Roberts said.
Leading the charge for the Hokies has been offensive line coach Vance Vice with the two being in regular contact and building a strong relationship as Roberts told us.
"We have a very good relationship. He wants me to do the best I can and see me at the next level," Roberts said.
There's no doubt that this will be an uphill battle for the Hokies, but Virginia Tech clearly has a lot of traction with Jaeden Roberts and is in better position than most probably realize. Additionally, having his teammate and QB in Dematrius Davis in the boat could also prove quite beneficial for the Hokies in their pursuit of Roberts.
Whoever lands Roberts will be landing an interior offensive lineman with tremendous size as 247 Sports lists Roberts at 6'6'' and 340 pounds. Depending on his athleticism, Roberts' massive and frame could also give him the potential to receive opportunities at offensive tackle though guard seems to be his most likely spot for now.
Roberts hasn't visited Virginia Tech as far as we know and given the large Texan contingent scheduled to visit Blacksburg in mid-June including teammate Dematrius Davis, it wouldn't be surprising to see the Hokies try to push for him to come take an official then. Of course, that remains up in the air with it being unknown whether the NCAA will extend the current dead period beyond the end of May due to the coronavirus outbreak.
For now, Virginia Tech is in the hunt for Jaeden Roberts, but the Hokies have plenty of work ahead in a recruitment full of elite Power 5 programs battling for one of the best interior offensive linemen in the country.
