Two days before signing day, Virginia Tech cornerbacks coach Derek Jones had nearly resigned himself to losing , a defensive back from Oscar Smith High School who had been committed to Cincinnati since June. Despite staying in touch and keeping the recruitment door open, Jones felt his efforts might be in vain.
“I felt like we were saying goodbye to one another,” Jones admitted.
Still, Jones and the Hokies coaching staff persisted, maintaining communication and wrapping up a promising conversation with DeLoatch late Tuesday night. Then, early Wednesday morning, the call came in: the Hokies had flipped the four-star recruit.
Jones, thrilled, announced DeLoatch’s name at Virginia Tech’s signing day event later that day. On a celebratory Zoom call, he expressed his emotions: “You broke my heart, we made up. You broke my heart, we made up. Two days ago, I went to bed sad. Last night, I went to bed hopeful. Today, I’m happy!”
DeLoatch’s flip was the highlight of Virginia Tech’s signing class, which included 19 players ranked around 40th nationally by 247Sports Composite. Head coach Brent Pry praised the effort it took to fend off late challenges from other schools.
“A great job by the staff, building relationships and identifying talent,” Pry said. “Several of these guys faced tough decisions but stuck with us.”
The Hokies secured commitments from players largely within their traditional recruiting areas. Eighteen of the 19 signees came from the region, with Texas quarterback Kelden Ryan as the lone exception. Seven recruits ranked in Virginia’s top 25, the most since 2019, with wide receiver Micah Matthews as the only top-10 player.
DeLoatch, ranked No. 459 nationally, was a versatile addition with the ability to play cornerback, nickel, or safety, and he possessed elite speed that made him a priority target for Tech.
“He brings versatility and elite speed, which is critical for the man coverage we play,” Jones said.
Other notable signees included receivers Shamarius “Snook” Peterkin and Micah Matthews, both four-star prospects and potential two-sport athletes, and running back Jeffrey Overton Jr., a high school standout who rushed for over 8,000 career yards and earned accolades as Virginia Gatorade Player of the Year.
Pry called Overton “one of the most complete backs in this class,” while receivers coach Fontel Mines described him as a “dominant, hard-nosed competitor.”
The Hokies also added two quarterbacks, Kelden Ryan and AJ Brand, both dual-threat players who remained committed despite late interest from other schools. Pry acknowledged the challenge of signing two quarterbacks in the same class but commended their willingness to compete.
“This class really pushes our quarterback room in the right direction,” Pry said.
Virginia Tech used the cycle to address key positional needs, signing a balanced group that included defensive linemen, linebackers, and defensive backs, along with several offensive standouts. Eleven of the signees plan to enroll early, ensuring they’ll contribute to the program’s momentum heading into next season.
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