In part four of this article we will analyze the final five members of the 2010 Virginia Tech recruiting class (here's the link to Virginia Tech 2010 Recruiting Class part 3, Virginia Tech 2010 Recruiting Class part 2, and Virginia Tech 2010 Recruiting Class Part 1 ). Those included in this edition are Mark Shuman, E.L. Smiling, Justin Taylor, Chase Williams, and Ricardo Young.
So without further adieu, let's dive into the analysis.
Mark Shuman
Position: Offensive Tackle
School: Fork Union Military Academy
Height: 6’6”
Weight: 300 lbs
40 Time: 4.9 seconds
Experts Take:
Analysis
Ryan Shuman was a three-year starter at Virginia Tech from the 2006 season through the 2008 season and now the coaches are hoping his brother can follow in his footsteps and become a three or four year starter as well. I stated earlier that Laurence Gibson is probably the most talented player in this class, if that is the case then Shuman is number two on that list.
Mark is ahead of the curve at this stage of his career from a technique perspective. His father is the coach at Fork Union and having a brother that has now graduated from Virginia Tech, I’m sure a few tips and pointers were passed down. He tends to play a little high in passing situations and loses the bend in his legs, which alters his balance causing him to lose leverage at times. However, he is the type of lineman Coach Newsome wants and I’m sure he’ll work out any kinks he may have.
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Mark is still a little on the skinny side, having a frame that could easily carry about 295 while still being able to move well enough to play either left or right tackle for the Hokies. Obviously, Mark has good upside and that’s what Tech and the recruiting services have noticed. I see Mark redshirting this year, then battling next spring at right tackle with Andrew Lanier for a spot in the two-deep.
E.L. Smiling
Position: Wide Receiver
School: Brooke Point High School
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 185 lbs
40 Time: 4.5 seconds
Experts Take:
Analysis
With the majority of Tech’s wide receiving corps still listed as underclassmen this season, the Hokies weren’t too desperate to take a wide receiver in this class. However, to avoid what happened a few seasons ago, the coaches found one they liked and decided to offer him a scholarship.
E.L. Smiling is a tall kid that really reminds me of Justin Harper coming out of high school. He is a very raw player but has the size and ability to become a possession receiver for the Hokies down the road. Smiling is listed as having a 4.5 40 but that wasn’t run at Virginia Tech and I’m guessing it’s what he ran at his high school, so who knows how correct that is.
Athletic ability does run in the family, as his big sister, Sheena Tosta, is an Olympic athlete, winning the silver medal in the Women’s 400 Hurdle’s in Beijing last summer. Smiling possesses the same raw athletic ability as he possesses a near 40-inch vertical as well as a 275-pound bench max. I don’t see Smiling making an impact this year or next year but once Danny Coale, Jarrett Boykin, and Dyrell Roberts move on to the NFL, I could see him stepping in and possibly becoming a starter.
Justin Taylor
Position: Defensive End
School: South Stanly High School
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 222 lbs
40 Time: 4.7 seconds
Experts Take:
Analysis
When you follow high school sports, it’s near impossible to predict how a player will develop over the next five years. But for college coaching staffs, it’s something they have to do on a near daily basis when they are focused on recruiting. Take somebody like Brandon Flowers who was a two star yet drafted above many of the five star defensive backs in his recruiting class.
Justin Taylor is a prime example of somebody who isn’t a five star player today but could develop into a very special player in a few years. In fact, the Hokies have made a living off of players like Taylor. Kids who want to work hard and have the potential but are lacking in one area or another.
Taylor didn’t start playing football until his Junior year, which makes him a very raw prospect but one that has a bright future ahead of him. Justin is more of a weak-side DE, meaning that he will be more of a balanced end instead of a pure pass rusher. Taylor is a big kid and could easily add another 30 or 40 pounds, allowing him to play at 250, which would be ideal for Coach Fosters scheme. I wouldn’t expect Taylor to make an immediate impact but after a year or two in the weight room, he could find himself in the two deep.
Chase Williams
Position: Linebacker/Defensive End
School:
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 235 lbs
40 Time: 4.66 seconds
Experts Take:
Analysis
The Hokies have failed to recruit a pure middle linebacker since the 2008 class when they signed both Allen Stephens (who transferred after his freshman year) and Bruce Taylor (who is behind Rivers on the depth chart). The coaching staff found them a gem in Chase Williams.
Chase is the son of current Saints assistant coach Gregg Williams. Chase has been a benefactor of having an NFL coach as a father as he is much further along then most players his age. Chase is a pure linebacker and one that can deliver a blow to a quarterback.
The one thing I love about Chase is how quick he is in his pursuit. His lateral speed is questionable at this point and so are his cover skills. However, Chase is a pure middle linebacker and one that will succeed under a coach like Bud Foster here at Virginia Tech. Williams will gain a little weight and play in the 240’s at Tech but with some training he should be able to improve his speed and quickness, which will allow him to turn into an all-ACC player by the time he graduates.
Ricardo Young
Position: Quarterback
School: H.D. Woodson High School
Height: 6’0”
Weight: 170 lbs
40 Time: 4.52 seconds
Experts Take:
Analysis
Perhaps the most scrutinized position when it comes to recruiting is that of the quarterback. If you land a highly touted one, it tends to create buzz around your program but even if you land a three star, many fans still hold him in a higher regard then the rest of the class. The reason for this is simply the College Football game today revolves around the play of your quarterback.
The Hokies were able to bring in two future signal callers in this class. One was Mark Leal, who we discussed a while back, and the other is H.D. Woodson’s Ricardo Young. Cardo is a tad on the small side and could be the smallest recruit in this 2010 class but none of that has affected his game thus far.
On film, Ricardo shows a strong as well as a very accurate arm and the ability to get himself out of trouble. Young isn’t a blazing speedster but he has the quickness and shiftiness to scramble out of the pocket and make a play by either running it or throwing it down field. Young will have a few things to work on but the good news is that he is already enrolled at Virginia Tech and will take part in Spring practice this April.
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