Photo Credit: Harley Taylor
As college football is on the verge of resuming in Blacksburg two weeks from today, here are the latest Virginia Tech football recruiting notes with the recruiting trail not stopped by the pandemic.
2022 4* DE Joe Strickland
Virginia Tech was among the programs to reach out to 2022 four-star DE Joe Strickland with defensive line coach Bill Teerlinck reaching out to the talented prospect from Indiana.
Strickland also heard from plenty of other Power 5 programs including Michigan, Michigan State, Stanford, Arizona State, West Virginia, Northwestern, Ohio State, Rutgers, and others. Strickland specifically heard from Virginia Tech DL Bill Teerlinck with the two having a "good" conversation and Teerlinck making it clear that he wants to build a strong relationship with him.
Tech has also positioned themselves well early on in Joe Strickland's recruitment with Strickland telling us that the Hokies are "up there" in his recruitment because Tech is a "great school" with a "great program." Penn State, Michigan State, and Stanford are also among those currently standing out in his recruitment.
It won't be easy for Tech to try to land Strickland, but the Hokies are off to a solid start with Teerlinck building a strong relationship and having some solid connections that could prove valuable for Tech's hopes.
2022 3* DL Denis Jaquez Jr
Three-star defensive lineman Denis Jaquez has heard from multiple Power 5 schools this week including Virginia Tech, Penn State, Syracuse, and Rutgers among others. Specifically, Jaquez heard from grad assistant Zach Sparber who has spent his time in Blacksburg primarily working with defensive lineman.
Jaquez's conversation with Sparber went quite well as he described to us.
"We spoke about many things. One being how well I could fit into the program and the things that I could benefit from it. He also spoke to me on how serious my offer is and how I could commit any day. He spoke about school as well. His message to me was to keep working and getting better everyday, said everything will take care of itself if I do those things," Jaquez said.
The two have also built a strong relationship over the past few months as the Hokies have offered and increased their interest in Jaquez.
"Coach (Zach) Sparber and I have a great relationship. It makes it even better that he is from New Jersey just like me which is something we can relate to. He treats me like a younger brother who wants the best for me," Jaquez said.
Tech has done well recruiting in the state of New Jersey in the past and has positioned themselves well early on in Jaquez's recruitment.
2022 3* DE Jihaad Campbell
Denis Jaquez isn't the only 2022 New Jersey defensive lineman that Tech is showing interest in with Jihaad Campbell being another defensive line target from NJ for VT. So far, the Hokies are off to a strong start in Campbell's recruitment.
Campbell told us that Virginia Tech is currently standing out in his recruitment along with Clemson, Rutgers, Oregon, Alabama, and South Carolina. He had this to say about why the Hokies are currently standing out in your recruitment.
"They show me love, and that school has a great program and great environment," Campbell said.
Like Jaquez, New Jersey native and grad assistant Zach Sparber is leading the charge in Campbell's recruitment for Tech with Campbell telling us that he has built a "good" relationship with him. Additionally, Rutgers and Clemson are among the schools recruiting Campbell the hardest currently.
Jihaad Campbell remains a defensive end target to keep an eye on in the 2022 class with the Hokies making their interest clear.
