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Top Hokie Targets In Atlanta For Rivals Challenge

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ATLANTA-- Beginning tomorrow, 100 of the top prospects in the country will descend on Atlanta for the inaugural Rivals100 Five-Star Challenge. Rivals.com has invited 80 of the top 2013 football prospects and 20 of the top 2014 prospects in the country.
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For Virginia Tech, this includes a number of Hokies targets.
HokieHaven.com publisher Jason Stamm is in Atlanta, to break down the targets with Virginia Tech interest.
Listing is alphabetically
Quin Blanding 2014, DB, Bayside (Va.)-- One of the best safeties in the country, Blanding has an impressive offer sheet of over 20 offers. He's wide open right now in his recruitment, though the slight edge might go to in-state powers Virginia Tech and Virginia. He'll be able to really solidify his stock with a solid weekend in Atlanta.
Tyler Boyd, WR, Clairton, Pa-- Boyd has been one of the fastest risers in the country, jumping from a three-star player to a Rivals250 member recently. The Hokies have shown interest, but he looks to be especially looking at West Virginia and Penn State. Virginia could also be a player, sitting not far back.
Andrew Brown 2014, DT, Indian River (Va.)-- A fierce brute off the line, Brown has the unfortunate situation of being in the same class as Da'Shawn Hand or he might be the clear favorite for best player in the state. Also wide open, like Blanding and certainly no guarantee of staying in-state, with offers like Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Nebraska and Ohio State. Still will be a top target for the Hokies.
Kevin Crosby 2014, ILB, Bamberg-Erhardt (SC)-- A rising patrol in the middle of the field, Crosby can really boost his stock this weekend. It'll be hard to pry him from SEC powers, like Alabama, South Carolina, LSU and even Clemson. Virginia Tech did get in on Crosby early with an offer, which could help, but it'll be a battle.
Holland Fisher, Safety, Manchester (Va.)-- Fisher was the first Virginia Tech commit, making his decision in February. He dropped a bit in the latest Rivals100, but is still the Hokies' highest rated commit. He stirred things up when he said he'd listen to Alabama after getting an offer, but is still solid with Virginia Tech. He'll also be rooming with Derrick Green, one of the Hokies' biggest targets on the board.
Kendall Fuller, CB, Good Counsel (Md.)-- The No. 3 player in the country by Rivals.com and the top overall cornerback, Fuller is THE top priority for Virginia Tech. His brothers, Corey and Kyle are already Hokies and the overall sentiment is he's an overwhelming VT lean. But he's also kept Clemson in the running and as of late, Michigan and Tennessee. Still, the Hokies are the team to beat.
Derrick Green, RB, Hermitage (Va.)-- The new nation's No. 1 overall running back, Green might have the most to lose as he's out to validate his new five-star ranking. One of the Hokies' biggest priorities after Fuller, he's been the main target for assistant coach Shane Beamer. Fisher will be working on him this weekend as well.
Da'Shawn Hand 2014, DE, Woodbridge (Va.)-- It's been said a few times before, but Hand is just an athletic freak. He has two years of high school, but could already start for most college teams. Hand has taken just five visits thus far, three of which were to Virginia Tech. The most recent was for the Hokies' June 3 prospect camp. It will be difficult, but VT is in great shape early.
Taquan Mizzell, RB, Bayside (Va.)-- There's a reason he goes by "Smoke." He leaves his opponents in a big cloud of smoke. Mizzell has some unbelievable moves and excellent speed. He's long been thought to be a huge Virginia lean. Virginia Tech is probably a longshot, but don't count out West Virginia and a few others.
Marquez North, WR, Mallard Creek (NC)-- The No.3 wide receiver in the country, North has great hands and speed. He has a Virginia Tech offer, but there's been little mention of the Hokies. Tennessee and a few others have emerged as favorites, but he's still relatively open.
Donell Stanley, 2014, OL, Latta (SC)-- He's already displayed good hands and footwork for a big lineman and has tons of upside. South Carolina has a good early foothold, as do Clemson, Alabama and LSU. But Virginia Tech and assistant coach Charley Wiles have also been on Stanley early and developed a good relationship. He's still wide open in his recruitment but could be a visitor at the Hokies' July 14 camp.
Jalen Tabor, 2014, CB, Friendship Collegiate (D.C)-- A physical corner like Fuller, Tabor will be among the top prospects in the country for 2014. He has lockdown abilities and great instincts. Tabor has over 25 top offers, including Virginia Tech and is still very open in his recruitment. Kevin Sherman is handling his recruitment and has done a great job building a rapport.
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