Virginia Tech Hokies 2021 College Football Recruiting Class Overview
Written by Charlie Beuttel
Twitter: @charlie_cds3
The streak of 27 consecutive seasons with a bowl game appearance by Virginia Tech ended in 2020 as the Hokies finished 5-6 overall and 5-5 in conference play. The Hokies started off fast out of the gate by winning four of their first six games, but unfortunately a four-game losing streak dropped them to 4-6. Virginia Tech then won their season finale by dominating their rival Virginia 33-15.
Head Coach Justin Fuente is heading into the sixth season at the helm and is looking to take this program to the heights that legendary coach Frank Beamer achieved. During December’s early signing period, the Hokies locked up 25 talented prospects from all over the country as 10 enrolled in school early to start building their foundation in the program.
The highest-rated recruit to sign with Virginia Tech was three-star cornerback DJ Harvey from Chatsworth (CA). Another future defensive star for the Hokies is three-star linebacker Jack Hollifield from Shelby (NC). Two in-state recruits who are future playmakers for Virginia Tech are three-star safety Jalen Stroman from Nokesville and three-star wide receiver Jaylen Jones from Richmond.
The McDonald twins, cornerbacks Jorden and Jayden from Salem, are two of the top recruits in Virginia that committed to Virginia Tech in December and should sign with the program in February. Two transfers who will make an immediate impact in 2021 are running back Connor Blumrick, who is transferring from Texas A&M, and defensive tackle Jordan Williams, is joining the program from Clemson.
This 2021 recruiting class currently ranks near the bottom of the ACC and is 44th in the nation. But all recruits have their eyes on getting Virginia Tech in contention for their first division title since 2016 and the first conference championship since 2010.
Virginia Tech’s Early Period Signees
LB Jack Hollifield, 6-3, 225, Shelby HS-Shelby, NC
S Jalen Stroman, 6-1, 190, Patriot HS-Nokesville, VA
WR Jaylen Jones, 6-1, 185, Thomas Jefferson HS-Richmond, VA
ATH Da’Wain Lofton, 5-10, 175, North Side HS-Fort Worth, TX
ATH Nykelius Johnson, 5-11, 180, West Florence HS-Florence, SC
S Jalen Hoyle, 6-0, 180, Dwight Morrow HS-Englewood, NJ
LB Isi Etute, 6-3, 205, Frank W. Cox HS-Virginia Beach, VA
S Da’Shawn Elder, 6-1, 200, Fork Union Military Academy-Fork Union, VA
TE Jared Gibble, 6-4, 225, Oake Grove HS-Winston Salem, NC
OG Danijel Mileti, 6-3, 290, Germany
CB DJ Harvey, 5-11, 166, Sierra Canyon HS-Chatsworth, CA
RB Kenji Christian, 6-2, 200, Pinson Valley HS-Pinson, AL
ATH Jaden Keller, 6-3, 202, Tennessee HS-Bristol, TN
RB Elijah Howard, 5-11, 182, Baylor School-Chattanooga, TN
DE Mattheus Carroll, 6-3, 220, Gilman HS-Baltimore, MD
DE Cole Nelson, 6-3, 230, Johns Creek HS-Alpharetta, GA
QB Tahj Bullock, 6-4, 225, St. Peters Prep-Jersey City, NJ
WR DJ Sims, 6-3, 190, Christchurch School-Church View, VA
WR Christian Moss, 6-3, 180, North Cobb HS-Kennesaw, GA
LB Will Johnson, 6-2, 210, St Mary S Ryken HS-Leonardtown, MD
OG Bryce Goodner, 6-3, 300, McMinn HS-Athens, TN
RB Malachi Thomas, 6-0, 180, Hart County HS-Hartwell, GA
APB Chance Black, 6-1, 190, Dorman HS-Roebuck, SC
ATH Keli Lawson, 6-4, 200, Sherando HS-Stephens City, VA
DT Desmond Mamudi, 6-3, 290, Carrollwood Day-Tampa, FL
Photo credit: Virginia Tech Athletics; Virginia Tech Head Coach Justin Fuente