Virginia Tech Showing Signs of Interest in Former Baylor CB Signee Jahdae Barron

Photo Credit: Harley Taylor

Virginia Tech was expecting numbers to be tight for their 2020 class which proved to be true as they signed one of their smallest classes in recent memory. However, some transfers and attrition left the Hokies with 3 open scholarships entering the spring with one of those being filled by Youngstown State DE grad transfer Justus Reed.

With at least 2 scholarships still open as far as we know, the Hokies are looking to fill them and appearing to show interest in a newly available 2020 recruit, four-star CB Jahdae Barron.

Barron previously signed with Baylor this past December, but recently received a release from his National Letter of Intent with the coaching change at Baylor likely a reason for Barron's recent decision. With Barron receiving his release, he becomes the top available 2020 recruit with not too many teams having room to add him still.

The Hokies are one of those teams with room and made sense as a potential team to pursue him especially after signing only one cornerback this past cycle in Dorian Strong.

So far, all signs are that the Hokies are showing interest in Barron from CBs coach Ryan Smith following Barron within 24 hours of him announcing his decommitment from Baylor to an interesting tweet that seems to be evidence that the interest is mutual between Barron and VT.

Virginia Tech has also had some momentum recruiting in the state of Texas with Alec Bryant and Robert Wooten signed with their 2020 class, and Dematrius Davis and Latrell Neville committed to VT's 2021 class. However, much of the Hokies' recent success has been in the Houston area while Jahdae Barron is from Austin.

Additionally, Texas is another school that has been linked to the Barron with the Longhorns having an obvious proximity advantage as the hometown team for Barron. Meanwhile, Oklahoma State could be a team to watch as well as the Cowboys have hosted Barron on an official visit previously though it's unknown if they have any room at this point.

The JUCO and prep routes could also be considered by Barron as well, giving him a chance to move into the 2021 or 2022 classes and allow his recruitment to fully restart especially given the crazy times that will likely prevent him from taking any visits before he makes a decision.

Now adding a non-transfer during this time of year may seem unusual, but Justin Fuente has done this for as we saw with the addition of Henri Murphy months before the season began. Obviously, there is the difference that Murphy had spent a year at the JUCO level while Barron is coming directly from high school.

Tech did have the benefit of hosting Murphy for a visit in his case, something that won't be possible with Barron due to the current coronavirus pandemic. However, don't be surprised to see the Hokies' staff try to at least host Barron on a virtual visit given the traction they appear to have.

Virginia Tech may not be done just yet with their 2020 recruiting class as they look to land four-star CB Jahdae Barron to add a very late boost to their incoming freshman class.

4/30 Update

Virginia Tech was one of three schools Jahdae Barron reported as offering him yesterday along with Mississippi State and Washington State. Barron also apparently plans to make his collegiate decision today at 1pm Central time on his Instagram.

While Virginia Tech may a contender for his commitment, most indicators point towards Texas as the clear favorite likely in part due to Texas being the hometown team for Barron, an Austin, TX resident. The Longhorns also have a pair of 247 Sports' Crystal Ball predictions in their favor.

However, if it isn't Texas, then you have to think Virginia Tech is one of the most likely destinations otherwise.

4/30 Update Part 2

Jahdae Barron announced today that he has committed to Texas, a big pickup for the Longhorns who only had 1 cornerback signed previously. Virginia Tech and anyone else always had tough odds going against the Longhorns given that Barron is from Austin, TX and tweeted a photo of him as a kid on the field at Texas in Longhorn gear.