Photo Credit: Harley Taylor
The true kickoff of the 2022 football recruiting cycle happened last night with college coaches able to initiate contact with 2022 recruits for the first time at midnight. With that said, this is part 1 of today's recruiting notes with updates on a couple top 2022 targets plus the latest on a talented 2021 three-star athlete from just down I-81.
2022 4* QB Gavin Wimsatt
Owensboro, Kentucky QB Gavin Wimsatt has already emerged as one of the elite quarterbacks in the 2022 class with schools from across America reaching out to him yesterday evening.
However, there was one school that reached out first via the head coach, Justin Fuente and Virginia Tech.
Wimsatt told us that Fuente was the first coach to reach out to him directly after midnight last night with the Hokies' head coach having a clear message for how Wimsatt could be an impact player in Blacksburg.
"That I could be a big part of there program and they can help me grow as a QB," Wimsatt said about Fuente's message for him.
The fact that Fuente was the first also made it clear to Wimsatt that the Hokies highly value him as a top overall target in the 2022 class, and meant a lot to him personally as he pursues his dream.
"It means a lot. It lets me know that I’m one of they’re top targets which is exciting!" Wimsatt said.
If you don't know who Gavin Wimsatt is, it's time to get familiar with the Kentucky native who will be one of Virginia Tech's top overall targets in the 2022 class.
2022 3* TE Nate Kurisky
Nate Kurisky has been a top 2022 tight end target for a little while with last night being the latest reminder of that.
Kurisky told us that Virginia Tech was the first school to reach out to hi after midnight last night via head coach Justin Fuente. Fuente's message was short and simple about "looking forward to building a relationship" as 2022 recruiting really starts to take off.
Kurisky has previously told us that Virginia Tech is the leader in his recruitment largely due to the relationship he has with TEs coach James Shibest. The fact that Fuente personally reached out to Kurisky is another sign of how much Tech wants to land the Washington D.C. tight end as a foundational part of their 2022 class.
Keep an eye on Nate Kurisky as the Hokies are in great shape early on for this priority tight end target.
3* ATH Jaden Keller
Back to 2021 where Virginia Tech is tight on numbers for high school recruits with 21 players already committed, but still has room to add a few more talented players.
One of the recruits that Tech is still monitoring is three-star ATH Jaden Keller.
Keller told us that he continues to be in contact with RBs coach Adam Lechtenberg as Tech continues to monitor the talented athlete who could play wide receiver or defensive back. He added that he has a solid relationship with Lechtenberg who in Keller's eyes is a "pretty good dude and very funny."
Given that, Keller told us that the Hokies are still "up there" in his recruitment and had this to say about why.
"I love the school. It’s a great place with great coaches," Keller said.
Numbers are definitely tight, but Jaden Keller is definitely a fascinating athlete with great size who Tech has continued to stay involved with even as their numbers have tightened. If Tech has enough room to bring in another DB/WR type athlete prospect, Keller might just be that recruit.
