Hokies miss on Mekhi Becton

Virginia Tech entered National Signing Day 2017 waiting on word from just a couple last-minute deciders. One of those announcements has turned out poorly for the Hokies.

Highland Springs (Va.) four-star offensive lineman Mekhi Becton has spurned the in-state program to sign with Louisville.

VT made huge progress in Becton's recruitment on his official visit to Blacksburg, but it wasn't enough to reverse a long-standing perception that the Hokies were lower on his list. Michigan, Virginia, and Michigan State were among the other finalists for the nation's No. 195 player overall.

Without Becton, the Hokies appear set to sign three offensive linemen: Christian Darrisaw, Aiden Brown, and Silas Dzansi. Dzansi originally signed in the Class of 2016, but did a prep year at Fork Union Military Academy and has already enrolled in Blacksburg.