Photo Credit: Jake Roth
Ahead of Kenji Christian's decision tomorrow, we take a look at his season debut and make a predicition plus updates on a couple other targets in our latest Virginia Tech football recruiting notes here.
3* RB Kenji Christian
Before Kenji Christian makes his collegiate commitment, he kicked off his senior season over the weekend. While Christian's Pinson Valley HS didn't have a great day, the Alabama RB had a productive game.
Ahead of his Monday decision, top #Hokies RB target Kenji Christian had 100 yards on only 12 carries in his HS football opener https://t.co/BAOL2dzQN0
— The Tech Lunch Pail (@TechLunchPailD) August 22, 2020
Those numbers may not be the biggest but the fact that he was able tor each 100 yards on only 12 carries is quite good and a great way to start after a very unique offseason.
Of course, the focus now shifts to his decision with Christian choosing between Virginia Tech and Ole Miss. At this point, what I've heard continues to point towards the Hokies where my prediction continues to reside. The fact that Tech has continued to pursue Christian as heavily as they have with their tight numbers is a major indication about how highly they view the Alabama native.
There's no doubt that if the Hokies land Christian, they'll be done at running back for the cycle unless something changes within their class especially with Malachi Thomas and the versatile Chance Black also on board.
3* DE Deonte Anderson
While defensive tackle has been the primary focus for defensive line recruiting recently for Virginia Tech, the Hokies are also continuing to recruit a couple defensive ends including three-star DE Deonte Anderson.
Anderson told us that he is hearing from the Hokies on a weekly basis with recruiting assistant Lino Lupinetti leading the charge for Tech. He added that he has "great communication" with Lupinetti which is definitely a major plus for the Hokies as they look to wrap up their defensive line class soon.
Currently, South Carolina is recruiting Anderson the hardest according to the three-star DE and feel like a slight favorite at the moment given the fact. However, Anderson doesn't have any schools currently standing out for him as his recruitment continues to be fairly wide open.
Numbers definitely have tightened up especially with the Hokies looking to add a couple more defensive tackles, but it's clear that the Hokies are at least still lurking in Anderson's recruitment.
2022 3* DT Hayden Schwartz
2022 three-star DT Hayden Schwartz became one of Virginia Tech's most recent offers with Schwartz receiving the offer during a phone call with DL coach Darryl Tapp and assistant Corey Fuller.
After a great talk with Coach Tapp and Coach Fuller I am blessed to have received and offer from Virginia Tech! @dtapp55 @iCoreyFuller @Bolles_Football @DeshawnBrownInc pic.twitter.com/nM85ixTZXK
— Hayden Schwartz (@hayden_schw47) August 20, 2020
Schwartz told us that he "felt blessed and excited" to receive an offer from the Hokies after Tapp joined his call with Corey Fuller. He added that his conversation with Fuller and Tapp was "really good" beyond just receiving a major offer from the Hokies.
Schwartz comes from an area where the Hokies have had lots of success in the past in Jacksonville, FL with several current and former Hokies from Jacksonville including Chamarri Conner, and recent additions Tyree Saunders and Keonta Jenkins.
Tech will face plenty of competition for Schwartz who has built up an impressive offer list that also includes the likes of Penn State, Miami, Nebraska, Louisville, West Virginia, N.C. State, Maryland, Georgia Tech, Memphis, East Carolina, and others.
We will have more on Schwartz later this week but the Jacksonville star is definitely a recruit to keep an eye on in the 2022 class.