Rick Sandidge narrows to seven, including VT

Concord (N.C.) four-star defensive tackle Rick Sandidge is down to seven suitors, and Virginia Tech remains in the hunt.

Florida, Georgia, Michigan, North Carolina, Penn State, and South Carolina are also in the mix. Michigan and Florida likely lead the pack for the 6-5, 263-pounder. Florida State, LSU, and Ohio State are among the programs he has eliminated from the running.

Sandidge has long held interest in the Hokies, but Virginia Tech has felt like it's looking uphill at a couple other programs pretty much throughout - whether it was the Florida schools a few months ago, or now Michigan added to the mix after a visit to Ann Arbor. The No. 4 defensive tackle and No. 48 overall player nationally is also the third-best rising senior in North Carolina, a state that VT is trying to dominate with the "NC2VT" movement.

The Hokies have a pair of defensive tackles - three-stars Cam Goode and Joe Kane - committed, but Sandidge is high-caliber enough that the coaches would find a way to take another in the class.