Hokies Look to the Future at TE, Chase St. John's College's Devante Brooks

Tight ends like Bucky Hodges and Kalvin Cline may still have years of eligibility left, yet the Hokies already have their eyes on the future of the position.

Tech's staff has been hot on the trail of 2016 TE/DE Devante Brooks of Washington D.C.'s St. John's College as part of their efforts to shore up depth at tight end for a long time to come.

At 6'5", 234 pounds Brooks plays both ways in high school, but the coaches made it clear early and often that the Hokies want him on offense.

"They really want me at tight end, splitting out wide and blocking," Brooks said. "And I love how they use tight ends, using three tight end sets all the time."

Offensive coordinator Scot Loeffler has long made his love of the position clear, and even with one TE already committed to the 2015 class in Chris Cunningham and another likely joining the class after a year of prepping in Xavier Burke, the team is going hard after Brooks.

Given his desire to get involved in the offense as TE early and often, it would seem that this emphasis has captured Brooks' attention.

"A big concern for me is how a team uses their tight ends," Brooks said. "I don't want to go somewhere if they don't throw to them, and Tech definitely does."

Aaron Moorehead and Shane Beamer have been his main contacts on the Hokies so far, and they enticed him to visit for the team's game against Georgia Tech on September 20.

"It was a great visit, the atmosphere was so cool," Brooks said. "It was really cool seeing what they do with their key chains on third downs."

Even though he had to watch the Hokies lose a close one to the Yellow Jackets, Brooks isn't letting that affect his perception of the program.

"They're still a great team," Brooks said. "There will be plenty more wins, hopefully they'll go to a bowl."

But if the Hokies' recent struggles do end up deterring Brooks, he's got plenty of other suitors.

"Tennessee is the big one," Brooks said. "Penn State hasn't offered yet, but they're interested. Nebraska, I love the way they play. UNC as well."

He visited Happy Valley the week after he stopped by Blacksburg on September 27, then called on the Vols last weekend, on October 11.

Yet the Hokies still seem very well positioned with Brooks, rated a 4-star recruit by the 247Sports Composite ranking.

"He definitely loves Virginia Tech," said Joe Patterson, Brooks' coach at St. John's.

Brooks will have plenty of time to focus on his recruitment after suffering a season-ending knee injury early in the year, but he'll have to keep an eye on his rehab as well.

"The priority for him will be to continue to do his rehab, but he is a few months ahead of schedule with it," Patterson said.

Yet the Hokies' staff likely isn't terribly concerned about this setback given Brooks' natural athleticism.

"He's just so naturally gifted," Patterson said. "He has tremendous size, great feet, he's fluid in all his movements."

But even with the extra time to think about his college choice, Brooks said he won't be making a decision before he's absolutely ready.

"It could be at the end of my season, or even Signing Day," Brooks said. "I'm not deciding any time soon."

Before he does make his big decision, he's says he'll be sure to give the Hokies another look in person.

"I definitely want to visit Tech again and go as often as I can to get a feel for the campus and the school," Brooks said. "I might go for another game or even wait until summer."