Coaching changes can shake up recruitments in big ways sometimes and will always have recruits rightly recalibrating whenever a new coach arrives to get a feel for the program and also see if that coach wants him just as much as the previous guy.
One recruit that Hokie fans have wondered about the most is four-star TE Benji Gosnell who had told us previously that Virginia Tech was his leader before Tech and Justin Fuente "mutually parted ways" and Brent Pry was hired to replace him.
The good news for the Hokies is that Tech is still in the lead for Gosnell. He had this to say about why that's the case.
"Pretty much the same as it’s always been. I fell in love with Blacksburg my first visit. VT has a culture of their own and they hold their football players to a standard that I believe I would fit," Gosnell said.
Additionally, Gosnell had a conversation with interim head coach J.C. Price, who was retained by Pry as the associated head coach, yesterday likely after the Pry press conference. That conversation went quite well as Gosnell told us.
"It was awesome. He let me know that Coach Pry and Virginia Tech still wanted me. That was great news. And we discussed a visit ASAP," Gosnell said.
Gosnell did add that he hasn't set a visit date exactly yet with Virginia Tech though the Hokies are likely to target hosting him next weekend which should be a massive official visit weekend in Blacksburg full of commits and top targets.
When we asked Gosnell what his initial thoughts were about the Brent Pry hire earlier this week, he was a big fan as he shared with us.
"I like it. Coach Pry has ties to VA and he’d be a great asset to help recruiting in the home state. Also very sharp mind especially on the defensive side of the ball," Gosnell said.
For Brent Pry, landing Gosnell with North Carolina also heavily pursuing the in region talent would be a big first recruiting victory under his tenure especially if he could land him in time for Early Signing Day. Right now, I think the Hokies have a great chance at doing just that though getting him on campus for an official visit will be important for doing that.
Keep an eye on Benji Gosnell as Pry looks to not only keep the strong current class together, but add a few more talented pieces to it.
