Toledo transfer WR Isaiah Winstead is poised to have lots of interest from across the FBS and FCS landscape with plenty of schools already reaching out including Virginia Tech.
Winstead told us that Virginia Tech is among the schools who have made contact with him since entering the transfer portal along with Vanderbilt, East Carolina, JMU, Sam Houston State, Towson, and more.
He added that he specifically heard from WRs coach Fontel Mines and new offensive analyst Dyrell Roberts who was the WRs coach at Norfolk State where Winstead started his career at before transferring to Toledo after the 2018 season when Roberts left for Western Illinois. The past relationship between Roberts and Winstead could prove to be valuable depending on how the Hokies' interest in Winstead and Winstead's recruitment evolves.
Winstead receiving Power 5 interest already from the Hokies and Commodores shouldn't come as a surprise as he has been productive both for Norfolk State and Toledo with 63 receptions for almost 1,000 yards during his time with the Rockets. He also brings good size at 6'3'' and would be a solid complimentary piece at minimum in 2022 for the Hokies to pair with Jadan Blue, Kaleb Smith, and Da'Wain Lofton should Tech choose to offer and pursue.
Winstead's Power 5 interest could grow from teams who at worst see him as a depth player in part because of the fact that he has only a year of eligibility remaining meaning that he can upgrade a WR room without impacting the class size for future recruiting classes.
Winstead is also a Virginia native having played at Richmond area powerhouse Highland Springs where the Hokies signed three-star DL Rashaud Pernell this recruiting cycle and have landed 2 preferred walk-ons over the past two years from two-star ATH Jabari Parker last year and ATH Latrell Sutton this year.
So looking ahead, Isaiah Winstead did tell us that he's looking at making a decision "hopefully before May or maybe middle of May." As that decision starts to come closer, Winstead told us that he'll be looking for the following in his final college football stop.
"Definitely how the coaches are first and the culture. Then how they run the offense and other factors that would help me help the team," Winstead said.
Keep an eye on Isaiah Winstead as the Hokies look at potentially adding another wide receiver to give themselves more experience beyond Jadan Blue and Kaleb Smith for the 2022 season.
