Virginia Tech Makes The Top 8 For Three-Star OT Tristan Bounds

Photo Credit: Harley Taylor

Three-star OT Tristan Bounds has emerged as a top offensive line target for Virginia Tech over the past few months. The good news for the Hokies is that the interest is mutual with Tech making his top 8.

Virginia Tech made a diverse top 8 for Tristan Bounds that included 3 ACC schools in total (VT, UVA, Boston College), 2 Big 10 programs (Michigan, Maryland), 1 Big 12 program (Texas), 1 SEC program (Vanderbilt), and independent Notre Dame.

Bounds had this to say about why the Hokies made his top 8.

"It’s a great school and it’s close to home. I really like the staff and they have a very competitive program," Bounds said.

Bounds added that he has a "really strong" relationship with VT's offensive line coach Vance Vice who is leading Tech's pursuit of him and in contact with him multiple times per week.

Looking ahead, Bounds told us that he does currently have an official visit scheduled to Michigan for June 19th-21st but expects that to be canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, official visits to Virginia and Virginia Tech also seem likely with the two staffs taking different approaches given the many recruiting unknowns due to the coronavirus pandemic.

In the meantime, Bounds told us that he is looking to take some virtual visits now that he has his top 8 with the Hokies likely to be among the schools to receive one.

This should help partially make up for the fact that his previous plans to visit Blacksburg in March had to be canceled due to the NCAA-instituted dead period in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Bounds has also taken a visit to Virginia Tech this past fall when the Hokies beat Rhode Island.

Tristan Bounds told us earlier this month that he had multiple schools standing out including Virginia Tech, Virginia, and Michigan with Bounds adding that those were "probably his top 3" at that time.

While plenty can change quickly in recruiting, those 3 schools definitely seem to be emerging as top contenders on-paper in his recruitment. Additionally, the fact that Notre Dame made the cut after offering this morning seems like a sign that the Fighting Irish will be a contender in his recruitment.

One thing that may benefit Virginia Tech (and UVA & Maryland) is the fact that Bounds was born in Blacksburg and has spent much of his life in the Washington D.C. metro, giving the Hokies the "come home" pitch that has been part of their message to Bounds.

Virginia Tech is right in the hunt for Tristan Bounds with a likely upcoming virtual visit being a great chance to make a big move in their pursuit of one of their top offensive line targets.