Virginia Tech’s new offensive line coach, Matt Moore, faces a crucial spring ahead. Hired in December, he quickly got to work in Blacksburg, even as he lost his offensive coordinator just a month later.
The Hokies are still without an OC after Tyler Bowen left last week to become Ohio State’s offensive line coach. Despite the vacancy, Virginia Tech’s recruiting efforts haven’t slowed down.
One of the top prospects in Virginia, offensive lineman Darius Gray, recently scheduled an official visit to Blacksburg from April 11-13, coinciding with the Hokies’ spring game. The 6-foot-3, 285-pound lineman from St. Christopher’s School in Richmond is ranked No. 25 nationally and second in Virginia per the 247Sports composite rankings. Gray included Virginia Tech in his top 12 on Christmas Eve, but the Hokies face stiff competition from South Carolina, Tennessee, Michigan, Ohio State, Penn State, LSU, Georgia, Clemson, and Oregon. While Gray has a strong relationship with Moore, landing him will be a challenge.
Virginia Tech will also host another highly regarded offensive lineman that weekend: Desmond Green, a 6-foot-4, 354-pound prospect from Timberland High School in South Carolina. Green is interested in the Hokies, but pulling him away from in-state programs like South Carolina and Georgia won’t be easy.
Two other prospects, Carter Scruggs (Leesburg, Va.) and Thomas Wilder (Virginia Beach, Va.), are also high on Virginia Tech. Moore’s hiring is already paying dividends, as he previously recruited all four players while at West Virginia, giving him an established connection.
The Hokies need to secure some of these recruits, and while each battle will be tough, they have the best shot with Wilder. Meanwhile, head coach Brent Pry still has to fill the offensive coordinator vacancy.
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