Virginia Tech Football: Ranking the Last Five Recruiting Classes

Virginia Tech has earned a national reputation over the years for their ability to maintain a consistent Top 10 program despite their lack of 5-star recruits.

The ranking system for recruits doesn't matter once a player is on campus. It is a way to judge talent based on potential. Many times 4- and 5-star recruits never make it. 

Virginia Tech hasn't signed a 5-star prospect since Tyrod Taylor in 2007. Have you seen their record since?

While Taylor turned out terrific for the Hokies, others who weren't as highly sought after have worked out quite well also.

I am going to rank the Hokies' last five recruiting classes based on their overall production in Blacksburg. Star rankings will not be discussed, although I will include the top recruits of each class, followed by the most productive.

Keep in mind, the 2010 class was Shane Beamer's first as lead recruiter for his alma mater. 

5. 2012

Top Recruits: WR/ATH Joel Caleb, DE Ken Ekanem, RB JC Coleman, RB Drew Harris, LB/RB Trey Edmunds

Top Players: Not available

The Class of 2012 is ranked last for obvious reasons. They have yet to see the field.

The Hokies recruited based on needs and appeared to have done quite well. Coleman is expected to see the field as a true freshman. 

Caleb, the top-ranked player in the class, may red-shirt as he is coming off a injury in his senior season. He is expected to play wide receiver in Blacksburg.

Ekanem, another high-profile signing coming off an injury, also may red-shirt. His combination of size and speed appears to make him an ideal fit in Bud Foster's defense.

The Hokies failed to sign a legitimate quarterback prospect. Brendan Motley, originally recruited as an athlete, is expected to have an opportunity at quarterback, but many feel he will eventually wind up at another position. 

4. 2011

Top Recruits: DT Kris Harley, DB Kyshoen Jarrett, DE/DT Corey Marshall, LB Ronny Vandyke

Top Players: Marshall, Jarrett, DT Luther Maddy

It is still much too early to evaluate this class. Jarrett, Marshall and Maddy all saw the field in 2011. 

Marshall, recruited as a defensive end, moved to defensive tackle and played well. He has a nice future at either position. 

Maddy was impressive last summer and the team decided to play him. He did not disappoint. Although Harley was the more highly regarded of the two, Maddy seemed more prepared for the college game as a freshman. 

MIchael Holmes, who red-shirted in 2011, is expected to be the starter at tailback. Holmes had an impressive offseason and when spring practice kicked off, Shane Beamer said he expects Holmes to be the starter in 2012. Holmes has the potential to be the next great Virginia Tech running back.

Keep an eye on wide receiver Demitri Knowles. Red-shirted in 2011, Knowles was a late-bloomer in high school. He is thin, but very fast.  

3. 2010

Top Recruits: DT Nick Acree, OT Laurence Gibson, OT Mark Shuman, LB Chase Williams, S/LB Nick Dew, DE Zack McCray

Top Players: CB Kyle Fuller, DT Derrick Hopkins

This was Tech's smallest class in the last five years. The Hokies signed only 18 players in 2010.

Acree, a highly-regarded defensive tackle prospect out of the Richmond area, switched positions last year. He is now an offensive lineman, and according to reports, appears to be transitioning well. Acree had the physical ability, but lacked the instincts to play early at defensive tackle. 

Gibson and Shuman were both expected to play early in their careers. Having red-shirted as freshmen, both have an opportunity for playing time this season as both starting tackles from 2011 graduated. 

Fuller continues the family tradition, following brothers Vincent and Corey to Blacksburg. Kyle Fuller is an elite player. Having played multiple positions out of necessity in 2011, Fuller returns as the Hokies next potential All-American defensive back. He is a future first round draft choice. 

Hopkins also followed a brother to Blacksburg. Derrick Hopkins, younger brother of fellow starter at defensive tackle, Antoine, had an excellent sophomore season. Hopkins played in 13 games as a freshman in 2010, and started all 14 games in 2011. 

The jury is still out on this class, but it wouldn't be a surprise if Fuller ends up being one the Hokies' best defensive backs ever. Oh, if you haven't heard, his younger brother Kendall is a senior in high school and is one of the top prospects in the country for 2013. 

2. 2008

Top Recruits: LB Quillie Odom, WR Dyrell Roberts, RB Ryan Williams, LB Bruce Taylor, OT Vinson Painter

Top Players: Williams, Roberts, Taylor, DB Eddie Whitley, DT Antoine Hopkins, WR Marcus Davis, WR Jarrett Boykin

This was an excellent class despite some players not panning out. 

Williams broke many records in his two seasons as starter at tailback. He was a second-round draft choice of the Arizona Cardinals in the 2011 NFL draft. 

Boykin is Virginia Tech's all-time leading receiver in receptions and yards. He had a stellar four-year career for the Hokies. 

Roberts was excellent in his first two seasons as deep-threat and return man. He has fought injuries for the last two years and will be relied upon in 2012 for his leadership and big-play ability.

Whitley just completed a solid career in which he started the last two seasons as rover. 

Taylor returns for his senior season amid much hoopla. Injured for much of the 2011 season, Taylor was tremendous in 2010. He looks like a future starter at middle linebacker in the NFL.

Davis returns as the top receiver for the Hokies. With the graduation of Boykin and Danny Coale, the Hokies have some big shoes to fill. Davis is up to the challenge. He is one of the most impressive athletes to ever play for the Hokies.  

1. 2009

Top Recruits: RB David Wilson, QB/TE Logan Thomas, CB Jayron Hosley, WR DJ Coles

Top Players: Wilson, Thomas, Hosley, DE James Gayle, DE JR Collins, CB Antone Exum, C Andrew Miller, LB Tariq Edwards

It is easy to see why this class is rated No. 1. You have starpower and depth.

Wilson departed Blacksburg with one season of eligibility remaining. He broke Williams' single-season rushing record in 2011. He will be selected early in next month's NFL draft.

Thomas, who came to Blacksburg as a tight end prospect, was switched to quarterback in his freshman season. Red-shirting helped Thomas as he benefitted from being around Tyrod Taylor for two years. Thomas progressed nicely in 2011 and will be one of the top QBs in the country in 2012. Could Thomas be a future No. 1 overall pick?  

Hosley, who started the last two seasons, finished his Hokies' career with 12 interceptions in his three seasons. He led the country with nine in 2010. 

Gayle, now a junior, finished with 12.5 tackles for loss and seven sacks in 2011. If he continues his stellar play, it is doubtful he will be around for his senior season.

Collins, also a junior, had 9.5 tackles for loss and six sacks. He and Gayle combine to form a lethal duo at defensive end. 

Exum, who started at safety last year, is now a starter at corner opposite Fuller. Exum has the size and speed to be a very good cornerback. 

Miller is the lone returning starter on the Hokies' offensive line. He started all 14 games in 2011. 

Edwards started all 14 games in 2011 at linebacker. He is adept in coverage and against the run. He has also shown glimpses of being able to rush the passer.