The 5 Recruits Who Will Make or Break Virginia Tech's National Signing Day

National signing day is rapidly approaching, and the Virginia Tech Hokies need a strong finish to improve a class that is ranked No. 39 nationally, per 247Sports.

New head coach Justin Fuente accepted the job in late November and quickly went to work on the recruiting trail. He traveled across Virginia in hopes of building strong relationships with some of the top high school programs in the state. 

For the Hokies, having a top-20 class this year will not happen. The previous staff struggled to close with some of its top targets, putting the Hokies in a hole for this year's class.

While Tech is unlikely to sign an elite recruit this year, the Hokies could add several talented players, some of whom could make immediate impacts. 

Here are five recruits who could make or break Virginia Tech's 2016 recruiting class. 

Jovani Haskins

Credit: 247Sports

Jovani Haskins

Bucky Hodges will be back in 2016, but it will likely be his last season in Blacksburg.

Enter Jovani Haskins.

A 6'4", 235-pound tight end out of Bergenfield, New Jersey, Haskins is the type of athlete Virginia Tech fans will be excited about after getting accustomed to Hodges over the last few years.

Haskins isn't the traditional tight end. He can move around the line of scrimmage and line up in the backfield or in the slot. He has impressive hands and runs like a wide receiver.

Tech sits in a good spot with Haskins. His decision will likely come down to the Hokies, West Virginia or Miami. 

JaQuan Bailey

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JaQuan Bailey

Virginia Tech has struggled to recruit defensive ends in recent years. The Hokies have watched elite in-state players such as Da'Shawn Hand and Josh Sweat sign elsewhere.

That's why defensive end JaQuan Bailey of Jacksonville, Florida, is a crucial piece to the class of 2016.

Make no mistake—Bailey isn't Hand or Sweat. Not even close. However, he profiles as the type of player defensive coordinator Bud Foster loves. He has solid size (6'2 ½", 245 lbs) with the type of frame to easily add 10-15 pounds of muscle without sacrificing any athleticism.

A former Florida commit, Bailey will likely take his decision all the way to signing day. Look for Tennessee to make a push and try to steal Bailey from the Hokies. This one will be close.

Bailey plays a position of need, and Tech would be thrilled to land him. 

Keith Simms

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Keith Simms

If you watched the Hokies this year, you probably noticed some less-than-stellar linebacker play. Whether it was inside linebacker Andrew Motuapuaka or outside 'backers Deon Clarke and Ronny Vandyke, Tech didn't receive enough production from its linebackers. 

Keith Simms could change that.

A 6'3", 220-pounder from Bethesda, Maryland, Simms possesses the size and athleticism Virginia Tech loves in its linebackers. The Hokies have made him a top priority, too.

Foster has been in to visit Simms twice recently, once bringing Fuente with him.

Don't be surprised if this one comes down to signing day, as a battle between Coastal Division rivals Tech and UNC looms for Simms. 

Tyrrell Pigrome

Virginia Tech fans probably hadn't heard of Tyrrell Pigrome until January 5 when the Hokies offered the 3-star cornerback out of Pinson, Alabama.

At 5'11", 180 pounds, Pigrome isn't going to be a quarterback at Virginia Tech. He is being recruited as an athlete and could be a wide receiver for the Hokies. Pigrome was a good high school quarterback, but his speed and elusiveness project well to wide receiver at the next level.

Perhaps more importantly, his commitment could get the Hokies a foot into the state of Alabama. While the state's top players generally always go to Alabama or Auburn, signing a well-known quarterback from the state could help VT's recruiting in future years. 

Pigrome isn't a make-or-break prospect per se, but Hokies fans should be excited about his potential and what it could mean in future seasons for the program's recruiting footprint. 

Malcolm Pridgeon

Credit: 247Sports

Malcolm Pridgeon

In order to improve the overall talent level and depth in the program, Fuente has aggressively pursued some of the nation's top JUCO players. That strategy resulted in the signing of quarterback Jerod Evans and offensive tackle Demetri Moore. Evans was the No. 7 overall JUCO player—and top quarterback—while Moore was ranked No. 83.

The Hokies aren't finished, as the No. 4 JUCO player Malcolm Pridgeon, a mammoth 6'8", 303-pound offensive tackle, remains on the board and is interested in Virginia Tech. 

Pridgeon would immediately be in the mix for a starting position for the Hokies in 2016. Left tackle Jonathan McLaughlin returns, but he's best suited for the right side. That would leave Pridgeon to battle Moore and sophomore Yosuah Nijman for the starting left tackle position. 

The Hokies will compete with Baylor, Florida and perhaps old nemesis Ohio State for Pridgeon's services. His addition would be a tremendous boost for the class of 2016, as he could make an immediate impact.

All recruiting rankings and information courtesy of 247Sports.