Virginia Tech Football Recruiting Notes 6/16/20

Photo Credit: Harley Taylor

Here's the latest Virginia Tech football recruiting notes as we take a look at a few high targets at their respective positions.

3* DE Travali Price

Travali Price is a name that has fallen off the radar of Hokie fans, but is still a major target for the Virginia Tech coaching staff. The good news is that the Hokies remain right in the hunt for the near four-star DE.

Price told us that the Hokies are "a player for sure" in his recruitment because he likes the "tradition, campus, coaches, and facility" at Virginia Tech. The Hokies have also hosted Price in the past with the talented defensive end visiting Blacksburg most recently this past fall for the Hokies' dramatic six-overtime victory against North Carolina.

The Hokies aren't the only contenders who are also recruiting him the hardest with other contenders including N.C. State, Tennessee, Louisville, West Virginia, South Carolina, Virginia, Kansas State, and UCF.

Area recruiter James Shibest is leading the charge for Virginia Tech while defensive line coaches Bill Teerlinck and Darryl Tapp, and head coach Justin Fuente are also in regular contact with Price. This here is another reminder of how high Price is on the Hokies' defensive line board.

We will have more on Price soon, but it's clear that he continues to remain a priority for the Hokies on the defensive line.

3* OT Kimo Makaneole

Virginia Tech is among the schools currently standing out for three-star offensive tackle Kimo Makaneole. Part of the reason for that is because the Hokies are also among the schools who are recruiting him the hardest in addition to standing out along with Arizona State, Mississippi State, Kansas, UCF, USF, South Alabama, and a couple others.

Additionally, Makaneole told us that the Hokies are standing out because of the "academics, football program, and coaches."

Offensive line coach Vance Vice has unsurprisingly led the charge for the Hokies with Vice making it clear that Makaneole is one of Virginia Tech's top offensive tackle priorities.

After only taking one offensive tackle last cycle in Parker Clements, the Hokies appear likely to try to take three offensive tackles this cycle with Makaneole quickly rising not only on the Hokies' board but also many other Power 5 programs. That shouldn't be surprising given his tape that shows a player that is vastly underrated by his mid three-star grade from places like 247 Sports.

RB Malachi Thomas

Georgia RB Malachi Thomas released his top 10 yesterday and Virginia Tech unsurprisingly made the cut.

Thomas has emerged as one of Virginia Tech's top running back targets with the Hokies among six schools that he previously told us were standing out in his recruitment. What's clear is that the Hokies have plenty of traction and are a top contender on paper along with Kansas State and UCF.

Thomas would also be a very good fit with the Hokies as a versatile running back who can do it all as a runner, receiver, and returner. Thomas could also see his offer list take off even more in the near future with Florida State among the schools showing lots of interest in the Georgia tailback.

Tech remains right at the forefront of Thomas' recruitment as they hope to land the under-the-radar runner from Georgia.