Photo Credit: Harley Taylor
Three-star WR Jaylen Ward recently released his top 5 which included Virginia Tech, Florida State, Indiana, West Virginia, and Coastal Carolina. However, a couple of favorites are already emerging in his recruitment.
Ward told us that Virginia Tech and Coastal Carolina are standing out for him with the Hokies currently recruiting him the hardest. This comes after he recently released a top 5 that included the Hokies and Coastal plus Indiana, Florida State, and West Virginia.
He had this to say about why the Hokies are standing out for him.
"The communication is the main reason why. They have almost the whole staff jumping on me to communicate," Ward said.
While the whole staff have been involved with Ward, leading the charge for the Hokies has been WRs coach Jafar Williams and TEs coach James Shibest. Ward had this to say about what his relationship is like with Jafar Williams.
"It’s a good relationship because we’re not always talking about football and I like that," Ward said.
He also had this to say about his relationship with TEs coach James Shibest.
"It’s the same way. All he talk about, making me commit and cooking ribs with my family," Ward said.
It shouldn't come as a surprise that the Hokies are heavily pursuing Ward who proved to be a high volume, reliable receiver with 74 catches for 876 yards and 5 touchdowns this past season. There's no doubt he would be a good fit in this class as a bigger, 6'2'' receiver to go with Tech's current commits including 3* QB Devin Farrell and 3* TE Harrison Saint Germain.
Tech has also had some success recruiting in the state of Alabama recently landing talented RB Kenji Christian this past cycle out of that state.
Looking ahead, Ward told us that he already has two potential decision dates he's targeting in his birthday on April 17th or sometime this summer. Ward also told us that he is working to set up an official visit to Virginia Tech this summer.
When he does make and announce his decision, Ward told us what the key factors will be in making it.
"Good academics and making me feel like I’m at home," Ward said.
Right now, you could argue that Virginia Tech may be the favorite to land Jaylen Ward, but the Hokies still have some work ahead to hold off the competition from Florida State, Indiana, West Virginia, and Coastal Carolina to land the Alabaster, AL standout.
