Jalen Alexander has five schools and a commitment date

Chesapeake (Va.) Western Branch 2018 defensive tackle Jalen Alexander is down to five schools, and we won't have to wait long until it's just one.

The 6-4, 275-pounder includes Georgia, Georgia Tech, Maryland, NC State, and Virginia Tech among his finalists, and he will make a pledge to one of them Aug. 5. He also held offers from the likes of Duke, Rutgers, and West Virginia.

While most schools are recruiting Alexander as a defensive lineman - he's ranked the No. 31 defensive tackle nationally - Virginia Tech has taken a more nuanced approach, telling the No. 11 player in the state that he'd have an opportunity on either side of the line of scrimmage. He would likely see his long-term future on the offensive line should he choose to become a Hokie.

With a strong need for offensive linemen and an as-yet disappointing haul from Old Dominion in the 2018 class, might Virginia Tech make a push to not only sell him on a future as an offensive tackle, but also that this particular vision sees him playing in Blacksburg?