For the first time in what feels like a long time, the Virginia Tech Hokies missed out on a recruit they wanted. On Wednesday, four-star defensive end Rion Jackson picked the Auburn Tigers over the Hokies.
Our first reaction? Eh, so what.
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Yes, that’s right. And that’s not a knock against Jackson. The Hokies, under new coach James Franklin and with a serious financial commitment from the university and donors, aren’t too worried about one recruit.
Jackson is a 6-foot-4, 218-pound edge from Annapolis, Maryland, and had visited Blacksburg multiple times this year, but all signs had been pointing toward the Tigers in recent weeks.
Another reason this is OK: the Hokies are in the mix for the top-ranked player in the state of Virginia, edge Chris Whitehead. Whitehead is a five-star prospect, and he’s high on the Hokies.
As for Jackson, during his commitment, he pulled the old “fake-out” commitment. His family was also in on the fun. It seems that the Hokies have been on the wrong end of that one for a long time. Now? Who cares. Good luck. No sleep lost.
Another run bit from Jackson’s commitment: He said he wanted to play in the SEC. In today’s NIL era, that doesn’t carry the same weight as it did, say, five years ago.
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“I’m an SEC guy,” he said. “I wanted to play in the SEC.”
Did the Hokies want Jackson? Yes. Were they going to overspend on him?
As for Jackson, at least he didn’t say he chose Auburn for academics. We all remember that one, right?
Good luck to Jackson at Auburn. But the Hokies will be fine. Doesn’t it feel good to say that?
For years, if Virginia Tech lost a priority recruit, even if he was a three-star, fans would melt down. Those days feel like they are in the rearview mirror. Franklin has the Hokies competing for different types of players now.
It’s a good time to be a Hokie.
