Strongest VT Recruiting Class

The 2013 recruiting class for Virginia Tech got off to a roaring start nearly a year ago.

Manchester (Va.) four-star safety

Now that the final Rivals100, Rivals250 and positional rankings have been released, we take an overall look at the class, currently ranked No. 19 in the country and No. 2 in the ACC behind Florida State.

Over the next few weeks, we'll also be breaking down each position and comparing it to Hokies classes of the past.

Since Fisher's and Jefferson's commits, the Hokies have added 18 more pledges to what might be their best overall recruiting class in the past decade, as evidenced by the final Rivals.com rankings, released last week. Three commitments are ranked in the Rivals100, the most for Virginia Tech in one class since 2002, while 11 of the 20 commitments are ranked at their position.

The headliner, Good Counsel (Md.) five-star

But what makes this class so special is that there are more than just a few quality players.

"Overall, it's a pretty well-balanced class," Rivals.com mid-atlantic analyst

Compared to other classes, this class won't field as many players numbers-wise. Virginia Tech lost just 17 seniors this fall, making for a smaller incoming class.

But the Hokies did well with their smaller numbers, hauling in four four-star recruits, an addition to Fuller, all ranked in the Rivals250. Fuller was ranked as high as No. 3 in the country this summer and the No. 1 cornerback. It wasn't that he did poorly afterward, but Rivals' analysts felt

Still, Fuller, an Army all-American, gives the Hokies plenty to be excited about.

"Top two class in the ACC heading down the stretch to Signing Day so Virginia Tech did very well," Rivals.com national analyst

Liberty (Va.) defensive end

"During our last re-rankings for the 2013 class, we all thought Wyatt Teller had an awesome performance at the Army Bowl," Friedman said. "Even though he didn't do a ton in the game, he had a really good week and the coaches couldn't say enough good things about him."

Also making the cut in the Rivals100 is Fisher, who was ranked as high as No. 68 at one point, dropped to No. 72 and finished at No. 83, but still the No. 10 safety in the country. Salem (Va.) quarterback

"Fuller and Holland Fisher will be a great 1-2 punch but we all know the success of this class will ultimately come down to Bucky Hodges," Farrell said. "He could be an absolute home run with his size and mobility and if he develops as a passer a bit more, he could dominate. Wyatt Teller is a beast, reminds me of Chris Long a bit out of high school and that's saying something."

With

But that will allow the quarterbacks behind him to get more time to develop. Thomas already has two understudies from this past season in sophomore

Hodges brings more praise and hype with him with his four-star ranking. And although Statesville (NC) commit

Friedman said he still believes Hodges will be the one most likely to follow in Thomas' footsteps.

"Bucky Hodges is a pretty solid player," Friedman said. "He's definitely gonna be an heir-apparent at quarterback when his time comes. He has a big arm, can move around a little bit and pretty accurate. A lot of people compared him to another quarterback out of Virginia Beach,

The Hokies introduced their new offensive line coach Friday in

The biggest newcomer might be Fork Union (Va.) three-star tackle Jonathan McLaughlin, who committed to East Carolina a year ago out of Mauldin (SC). His year of prep school might make him the most likely to see time early.

But the Hokies also have a trio of linemen in three-stars Pfaff, Osterloh and

"Throughout the whole process, we didn't know a ton about Pfaff, Osterloh and some of these offensive linemen," Friedman said. "When I ended up seeing them at the Chesapeake Bowl and at a camp or two, we were able to see some improvement in them. It was nice to see that some of the lower-rated guys were putting in the effort to increase their stock."

The Hokies' two running back additions, four-star

The class will officially be wrapped Feb. 6 on signing day, but it might not be over yet. Virginia Tech still has one spot available, though it still might not use the spot for 2013.

All 20 commitments are fully expected to sign. Three-star defensive back

It's hard to believe after such a strong class, but the Hokies strong class could get stronger.