Our position-by-position recruiting breakdown of Virginia Tech football reaches its conclusion today as we take a look at the Hokies' targets at safety. Check out how the 2023 and 2024 safety boards are looking along with the rest of our position-by-position breakdowns.
Loads of Targets in 2023
Virginia Tech may not have a commit at safety at the moment yet this could also end up being a large class of safeties including one or two who could also project at sam linebacker or other positions. This also should be a large class after only taking one potential safety last cycle in Mansoor Delane who could also be a CB.
We'll start with the three official visitors that Virginia Tech hosted last weekend including three-star S/LB Caleb Woodson out of Northern Virginia who could end up at safety or sam linebacker. Woodson's visit last weekend went quite well from what I heard, and I consider Virginia Tech the frontrunner for him with Wake Forest and UVA the other contenders. Woodson has also taken an official to Wake Forest while having visits to UVA and Pittsburgh the next two weeks per 247 Sports.
Another official visitor is Asheville, NC S DaShawn Stone whose official visit went well as he described to us. This was his second official visit after taking one to UVA prior with plans to take an official to Duke on the fourth weekend of the month while also trying to take an official to Wake Forest. Tech appears to be in a strong spot with a decision likely looming after his June officials are done though Duke having the last official is a challenge as well.
The third one is three-star ATH Thomas Williams out of South Carolina who could end up at a couple different spots including safety. Since his official visit, I have heard good things about where the Hokies stand with Williams and very much like Tech's chances of landing the South Carolina standout over other offers from Penn State, West Virginia, Old Dominion, and UAB.
Three-star DB Braylon Johnson out of Richmond powerhouse Highland Springs is the son of former Virginia Tech DB and Highland Springs head coach Loren Johnson. Braylon Johnson has made multiple trips to Virginia Tech that have gone well while he also took an official visit to South Carolina recently with the Gamecocks looking like Tech's top challenger.
Virginia Tech recently offered Louisville four-star S commit Jayden Davis per 247 Sports with Tech's staff making a big push and seeming to have some sort of in that gives them a belief that a flip may be possible. Davis is scheduled to take an official to Louisville this weekend and if Tech is going to have any chance of pulling a flip of the Georgia safety, they'll need to get him on campus for a visit. Miami has also hosted Davis on an unofficial visit since Davis committed to Louisville per 247 Sports' records.
Virginia Tech hosted three-star safety KP Price out of Maryland back in March with Price taking an official to West Virginia last weekend and Boston College this weekend per On3. Tech also hosted three-star DB Saboor Karriem out of New Jersey for a visit at the Spring Game per On3 with Karriem taking an official to Duke earlier this month along with having an official to Illinois scheduled later this month per 247 Sports.
Tech may also look to add a JUCO safety having extended an offer to Virginia native Samuel Graham who is playing at PA JUCO powerhouse Lackawanna CC.
The Hokies are right in contention for many of their top safety targets which is timely given the likelihood of a large safety class this cycle.
2024 Still Forming
The 2024 board is still forming for Virginia Tech, but there are already some clear names emerging to watch for the Hokies.
Three-star Richmond S Zahir Rainer out of Trinity Episcopal has already visited Virginia Tech twice for a March Junior Day and for the Spring Game with the Hokies having some strong momentum early on. Rainer has built up a solid offer list that also includes Penn State, Arkansas, Wake Forest, Minnesota, Maryland, Indiana, Duke, and more.
We mentioned three-star DB Noah Jenkins out of Richmond's Highland Springs who has some people who see him as a cornerback and others who see him as a safety making him a name to watch here.
Three-star Northern Virginia ATH Daniel Coles out of Stafford's Brooke Point HS has visited Virginia Tech twice this spring per On3. Safety is one of his potential collegiate positions with the Hokies off to a solid start along with Penn State who has also hosted Coles twice.
Tech just recently offered Salem, VA standout Chris Cole who likely will grow into a linebacker given his 6'3'', 185-pound frame but also could end up at safety or the sam linebacker spot for the Hokies.
Looking outside of VA, three-star safety Brody Barnhardt out of Charlotte visited Virginia Tech for the Spring Game with the Hokies appearing to have some early traction. N.C. State, Wake Forest, West Virginia, Boston College, Duke, and Vanderbilt are among the other notable offers for him.
This board will likely grow and change plenty, but there are plenty of early intriguing names to watch for the Hokies especially in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
