Virginia Tech Makes the Top 6 For Four-Star 757 DE Ari Watford

Four-star DE Ari Watford has emerged as the top recruit currently in Virginia for the 2025 class and one of the highest rated in-state recruits over the past few cycles. Recently, Virginia Tech received some good news from Watford when he released his top 6 and included Tech in it.

The Hokies were joined in Watford's top 6 by Clemson, Ohio State, Penn State, South Carolina, and Syracuse. Among the many schools not to make the cut were Michigan, Georgia, Alabama, Texas, Florida State, LSU, Notre Dame, USC, Tennessee, Miami, NC State, Ole Miss, Texas A&M, Kentucky, Auburn, Duke, Florida, North Carolina, West Virginia, Pittsburgh, Wake Forest, Boston College, Rutgers, and more.

All of this comes as Watford is ranked as the #1 recruit in Virginia for the 2025 cycle by On3, 247 Sports, and ESPN; and #2 by Rivals. He's also the highest-rated defensive line recruit in Virginia since Josh Sweat in the 2015 class according to the 247 Sports Composite.

Watford doesn't just have elite size at 6'5'' and great athletic traits but he also has been a playmaker for the past three years in the 757. That included another big season during which he had 69 tackles including seven sacks plus three forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries according to The Virginian-Pilot. That blend size, athleticism, and production makes it easy to see why Watford is one of the top defensive end prospects in the country.

The Hokies have made big strides with their 757 recruiting over the past couple years which included landing the top two recruits out of the 757 in Keylen Adams and Gerard Johnson this past cycle for the first time in almost two decades per the 247 Sports Composite. Gone are the days where the Hokies can be ruled out for an elite recruit out of the 757, especially given how the Hokies staved off Ohio State, Penn State, and more for Adams.

With that said, this will definitely be a battle for the Hokies with Clemson rumored to have lots of traction in addition to Ohio State and Penn State being involved. Landing Watford would be a huge recruiting victory for the Hokies and is definitely in play even with the stiff competition, especially with the recruiting improvement under Brent Pry.

Tech will need to get Watford back on campus soon though, especially in a recruiting era where commitments largely happen before recruits start their senior seasons.

Tech is right in the hunt for four-star DE Ari Watford, the highest-rated defensive line recruit in Virginia since Josh Sweat.