2012 Virginia Tech Football Recruiting Ranking: Hokies Almost Crack Top-25

When the dust settled on National Signing Day 2012, the Hokies had a very large class with 28 commitments, but the quality might not have been what Hokie fans have come to expect from Frank Beamer and company. But because the class was so large that it gave the Hokies pretty respectable class rankings across the various agencies.

According to Scout.com, Virginia Tech had the 26th best class in the Nation, just missing out on the top-25. Their class is made up predominantly of three-star and below level talents, with only three four-star prospects and no five-stars. Rivals is much more generous with their rankings, giving the Hokies the fourth best class in the ACC but with seven four-star prospects. Not a banner year for the Hokies, but certainly one with some successful program-building.

Virginia Tech Football Recruiting: Hokies Officially Land 28 Commitments On National Signing Day

Virginia Tech football has officially announced 28 commitments on National Signing Day. The prize of the class for the Hokies was pulling in home state four-star defensive end Ken Ekanem from Clifton, VA out of Centreville High School. Ekanem is ranked as the No. 25 ranked defensive end in the country. The Hokies were also able to bring in four-star wide receiver Joel Caleb from Clover Hill High School in Midlothian, VA, the No. 26 ranked wide receiver in the country.

The Hokies did lose out on three-star linebacker Jawand Blue, who flipped at the last minute to the Miami Hurricanes. Blue's flip caused a bit of a controversy. Overall however, the Hokies were able to pull in 17 recruits from the state of Virginia as the Hokies hoped to recapture the state from Virginia.

"I am tremendously excited about this recruiting class," head coach Frank Beamer said. "I think every year you have a good group, but I think this one is special. It'll help us continue to move toward our stated goals. I'm particularly happy with the caliber of player, both from an athletic standpoint and from a character standpoint, that we recruited from Virginia. Plus, we were able to go outside of the state and recruit some high quality kids."

The Hokies class is ranked No. 4 in the ACC and No. 25 overall as of now, according to Scout.com.

For all your recruiting news, follow SB Nation's Recruiting Twitter feed, @SBNRecruiting. For complete college football coverage, please visit SB Nation's NCAA football hub. For more news, analysis, and discussion on the Hokies, visit SB Nation's Virginia Tech blog, Gobbler Country.

Virginia Tech Football Recruiting: Ken Ekanem Chooses Hokies Over Notre Dame

The Virginia Tech Hokies secured another coup on National Signing Day 2012, stealing four-star linebacker Ken Ekanem from Notre Dame. Ekanem announced his commitment on Wednesday and provides the Hokies with another top local recruit to aid their quest to dominate recruiting in the state.

Ekanem, who is from Centreville High School in Clifton, Va., was down to choosing between the Hokes and Fighting irish. He chose Frank Beamer and the Hokies, who will likely use him as a pass rusher from the linebacker and defensive line positions. He is the 15th-rated outside linebacker in the country on Rivals and will join a Hokies defense that returns nine starters from last year's team.

Click the link for more on National Signing Day 2012. For all your recruiting news, follow SB Nation's Recruiting Twitter feed, @SBNRecruiting. For complete college football coverage, please visit SB Nation's NCAA football hub. For more news, analysis, and discussion on the Hokies, visit SB Nation's Virginia Tech blog, Gobbler Country.

Joel Caleb Commits To Virginia Tech Over West Virginia, Ohio State

Virginia Tech football got its man. Joel Caleb, a four-star athlete/wide receiver from Midlothian, Va, has indeed committed to the Hokies over West Virginia and Ohio State. There were rumors that he would bolt, but instead, he decided to stay close to home.

Via Rivals:

"I felt very comfortable at Virginia Tech," he said. "They always made me feel welcome, coach Cavanaugh started it off with me and coach (Shane) Beamer reeled me in. But I like all the staff and I think it's the best fit for me. I'm happy with my choice."

The Hokies already secured commitments from three other wide receivers, but Caleb is enough of a prize for the Hokies that he should push for immediate playing time. He was ranked as the No. 1 prospect in Virginia coming into the year, but struggled in his final season and tumbled down to No. 3. Nevertheless, this is a big get for the Hokies.

Click the link for more on National Signing Day 2012. For all your recruiting news, follow SB Nation's Recruiting Twitter feed, @SBNRecruiting. For complete college football coverage, please visit SB Nation's NCAA football hub. For more news, analysis, and discussion on the Hokies, visit SB Nation's Virginia Tech blog, Gobbler Country.

Virginia Tech Football Recruiting: Hokies Hope To Land Handful Of Four-Stars

As National Signing Day hits the Virginia Tech Hokies hope to officially sign on a handful of four-star recruits, including two linebackers and two running backs. Head coach Frank Beamer is looking to reel in four-star linebacker Deon Clark from Chesterfield, VA out of Lloyd C. Bird, the No. 13 ranked linebacker in the country. The Hokies are also hoping to pull in the No. 16 ranked linebacker, Trey Edmunds from Ringgold, VA out of Dan River.

Virginia Tech plans to bring on four-star running back J.C. Coleman from Chesapeake, VA out of Oscar Smith, the No. 3 running back in the country. The Hokies hope to pair Coleman with four-star running back Drew Harris from Exton, PA out of Downingtown East. Harris is rated as the No. 22 running back in the country.

Lastly, the Hokies hope to officially sign four-star defensive back Donaldven Manning from Miami, FL out of Miami Central. Manning is rated as the No. 11 cornerback in the country.

For all your recruiting news, follow SB Nation's Recruiting Twitter feed, @SBNRecruiting. For complete college football coverage, please visit SB Nation's NCAA football hub. For more news, analysis, and discussion on the Hokies, visit SB Nation's Virginia Tech blog, Gobbler Country.

Virginia Tech Football Recruiting: Hokies Hoping To Reclaim Virginia

The Hokies are looking to regain their hold on the state of Virginia and put together one of the nation's best recruiting classes.