Virginia Tech is looking to add at least another defensive end to pair with Richmond standout Jason Abbey in their 2023 class with the Hokies showing interest in a Florida DE currently committed to a different Power 5 program.
Three-star DE and Washington State commit Jailen Ruth out of Hawthorne, Florida told me that he will be visiting Virginia Tech next Monday. This will be Ruth's first visit to Blacksburg.
This comes as the Hokies have been "showing a lot of love" and interest in Ruth recently led by grad assistant Korey Rush who is basically the assistant DL coach working with J.C. Price.
He had this to say about how his conversations with Rush have been going.
"They have been good, just getting to know each other a little better," Ruth said.
This interest comes after Ruth had an impressive junior season with 117 tackles including 32 for loss with 17 sacks plus 6 forced fumbles. Combine that with a 6'4'', 215-pound frame and it's easy to see why the Hokies would have lots of interest in Ruth.
Unsurprisingly, Ruth has a solid list of offers so far including Washington State where he is currently committed plus Iowa State, Vanderbilt, Navy, USF, Appalachian State, Coastal Carolina, Army, Tulane, Marshall, Western Kentucky, Jackson State, Central Michigan, Georgia State, FAU, Middle Tennessee State, and more.
Ruth definitely fits the bigger DE mold that we've seen Tech pursue in recent years and continue to do so under Brent Pry. He also is listed as a linebacker recruit by some including 247 Sports so there is some potential versatility though Ruth said that the Hokies are recruiting him as a DE.
Ruth took an official visit to Washington State last month committing soon after on July 2nd. The fact that Ruth is taking a visit elsewhere so soon after visiting is a good sign that the Hokies have already made some strong in-roads in their pursuit of him.
Keep an eye on Jailen Ruth as the Hokies are showing lots of interest in the talented Washington State commit from Florida.
