Signing Day capsule: Keshon Artis

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One of Virginia Tech's linebacker pledges is in: Chesapeake (Va.) Oscar Smith three-star Keshon Artis.

The 6-0, 227-pounder faxed in his letter of intent this morning.

Three-star, No. 20 player in Virginia.

Buffalo, Duke, Indiana, Marshall, Maryland, Missouri, Navy, Nebraska, North Carolina State, Old Dominion, Rutgers, Syracuse, Temple, Tennessee, UCF, Virginia, West Virginia

Virginia Tech and Artis always seemed to be high on each other, but there were times when it was unclear whether that would ultimately result in a commitment. VT had other linebackers on the board, while Artis had other options, too. By late in the Fall, it was clear that he was welcome in Blacksburg, and after official visits and consideration from NC State and UCF, the inevitable finally happened, and he picked VT.

Artis doesn't have ideal linebacker size, but makes up for it with a bully mentality: he wants to beat up on opposing players, particularly running backs and quarterbacks. He's also a sideline-to-sideline athlete from the linebacker position, with the ability to burst into the backfield. His size will make him a bit of a liability when offensive linemen latch onto him, but his height could also give him some leverage there.

Precise stats are not available, but Artis was the leading tackler - and tackler for loss - for an Oscar Smith team that was state runner-up.