Photo Credit: Harley Taylor
Here are the latest Virginia Tech football recruiting notes as Donovan McMillon gets ready to make his decision plus more news and notes on 2021 and 2022 recruits.
3* DB Donovan McMillon
It's decision day for three-star DB Donovan McMillon who will announce his commitment between his top 5 of Virginia Tech, Florida, Texas A&M, Oklahoma, and Oregon. However, it's basically certain that McMillon will choose either the Hokies or the Gators with both schools (along with Texas A&M) having received visits from him during the dead period.
While 247 Sports' Crystal Balls favor Florida, it seems pretty clear that most are guesses based on limited info. Personally, I lean towards Florida at the moment if I had to guess either way based on what I've heard, but there is definitely lots of uncertainty about which schools McMillon has chosen hours out from his decision.
If he does choose Virginia Tech, it will be a major win for the Hokies to beat out an elite offer list for the fast-rising safety especially with Justin Fuente and Justin Hamilton both taking large roles in his recruitment. Additionally, recruiting assistant Lino Lupinetti already deserves tons of credit for VT having this type of chance and even more if the Hokies land him.
Landing McMillon would just about finalize Tech's defensive back class though it's safe to expect the Hokies to continue to heavily pursue four-star CB Markevious Brown given
3* DL Keondre Hodges
Keondre Hodges may not have a Power 5 offer yet, but he is receiving plenty of Power 5 interest from Virginia Tech, Maryland, Florida, Auburn, and Pittsburgh.
Hodges told us that he "talks all the time" with Virginia Tech defensive line coach and fellow 757 native Darryl Tapp. Additionally, Hodges told us that him and Tapp are "close", a good sign that the Hokies could make a big move in his recruitment if they choose to offer him.
Hodges has the potential to end up at defensive end or tackle with his size at 6'3'' and 270 pounds likely making him more of a defensive tackle if he were to end up at Virginia Tech.
Keep an eye on Hodges as the Hokies look at potentially extending an offer to the talented Oscar Smith HS defensive lineman.
2022 3* ATH/WR Cooper Barkate
After recently extending an offer to 2022 three-star ATH/WR Cooper Barkate, Virginia Tech has quickly emerged as an early contender for the talented Californian.
Barkate told us that Virginia Tech was "extremely excited" to receive an offer from the Hokies with Virginia Tech being a "top option" for him after receiving a Tech offer. Barkate is listed as an athlete, but he told us that Virginia Tech is recruiting and offered him as a wide receiver.
Tech joins a solid offer list that also has Power 5 programs from all over the country including Nebraska, Utah, Arkansas, and Purdue.
The fact that the Hokies are already a top option for Barkate is a sign that Tech has some momentum recruiting on the West Coast especially after landing a commitment from talented CB D.J. Harvey earlier this month.
Keep an eye on Barkate as the Hokies look to continue to spot recruit in California going forward.
