BLACKSBURG (WSLS SPORTS) – With National Signing Day on Wednesday, Jason Stamm of HokieHaven.com and Rivals.com spoke with WSLS 10's Alyssa Rae about the 2016 recruiting class, particularly the defense, starting with a four-star defensive back.
"Khalil Ladler is a guy originally from Stephenson High School in Atlanta, spent this last season at IMG Academy in Florida. He tore his ACL this summer in a 7 on 7 national championship. This is a guy who was a top 100 kid before he got hurt so he's kind of fallen off a little bit because of his injury but if he gets back to even close to where he was, he's a big time talent," said Stamm.
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A couple linebackers have committed who Stamm thinks will be an asset.
"Tavante Beckett and Emmanuel Belmar both are three stars. You watch Tavante Beckett, he has probably some of he best film you're going to see. Wherever the ball is, this guy finds a way to get to it but a little short, he's one of those guys we would classify as a 'tweener.' Emmanuel Belmar is a little taller so I think he can roam, a little rangier guy who can get sideline to sideline so both of those guys are going to be big editions the next couple years.
This weekend a lot of players were in Blacksburg, including defensive players are on the fence and could flip and sign with Virginia Tech.
"I think Tomon Fox, the star-star defensive end, is teammates with Belmar down in Collins Hill outside of Atlanta, probably the biggest name guy with a possibility. JaQuan Bailey, a three-star defensive end from Raines, he's already decommitted so he wouldn't be so much of a flip but we are talking about a guy who can fill that role of Dadi Nicholas and that vacancy he has so it'll be interesting to see but they've got a few on the fence right now that are already committed somewhere, so they've got somewhere if they don't choose Virginia Tech, but I think Virginia Tech can get some big time steals.
For more information on Virginia Tech recruiting, please visit Hokiehaven.com or Rivals.com.