Surprising Development: Another Top In-State Prospect Snubs Virginia Tech Football
In what’s becoming a growing concern for the Virginia Tech football program, yet another elite in-state recruit has opted to continue his football career elsewhere, dealing a blow to the Hokies’ recruiting momentum. Under head coach Brent Pry, the Hokies have generally done a commendable job staying competitive in recruiting battles within Virginia. While they haven’t landed every top prospect, they’ve consistently been in contention—particularly during the ongoing Class of 2026 cycle. However, this latest recruiting loss raises questions about their grip on the state’s top talent.
On Thursday evening, things seemed to be trending positively for Virginia Tech when they secured a significant verbal commitment from four-star offensive tackle Thomas Wilder, a highly regarded prospect out of Virginia. Wilder’s decision was a major win for the Hokies, as he had drawn attention from several powerhouse programs, including North Carolina, Penn State, and Maryland. Holding off those challengers and keeping Wilder in-state was a victory that reaffirmed Brent Pry’s ability to protect home turf.
But just one day later, the momentum shifted in a disappointing direction. On Friday, another highly touted four-star recruit—a wide receiver from Chesapeake, Virginia—announced his college decision. Despite Virginia Tech’s strong regional presence and efforts to secure his commitment, the talented pass-catcher ultimately chose to commit to a Big Ten program, passing over the Hokies and leaving fans and staff frustrated.
This particular recruiting loss stings not only because of the talent level involved but also because of the growing trend it may represent. While Virginia Tech has improved its local recruiting presence under Pry, the program still struggles to consistently land the very top-tier prospects from within its own borders. In the highly competitive world of college football recruiting, winning the in-state battles is crucial for building a sustainable, successful program—especially in a football-rich region like Virginia.
Losing a skilled in-state wide receiver to a Big Ten school underscores the challenges Virginia Tech continues to face in keeping local talent at home. With programs like Penn State, Michigan, and Ohio State consistently investing in their recruiting operations in Virginia, the Hokies are finding themselves battling not just regional rivals in the ACC, but also national powers who have set their sights on the same pool of players.
For Coach Pry and his staff, this recent commitment is a reminder that securing in-state talent remains a delicate balancing act. While the addition of Thomas Wilder was a step in the right direction, it was quickly followed by a step back. To truly dominate the recruiting landscape within Virginia, the Hokies must not only stay in the conversation for elite prospects but must also start converting more of those conversations into commitments.
As the Class of 2026 recruiting cycle continues to unfold, all eyes will be on how Virginia Tech responds. Can they build on their recent successes and prevent further losses, or will more top Virginia athletes choose to take their talents out of state? For now, the Hokies’ recruiting efforts remain a mixed bag—marked by encouraging wins and concerning setbacks alike.
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