I'm putting fingers to keys in the aftermath of Josh Sweat committing to Florida State.
Josh's father, William Washington, spoke with Michael Clark of Scout.com.
Mr. Sweat mentioned Josh being "comfortable" was a major factor. Josh's mom mentioned the same requirement in previous interviews. Josh did as well. I think all college-bound teens need a sense of comfort at the school they attend. Those right fit requirements will vary from person to person.
However, the most revealing part of the interview was the conversation father and son had with Florida State head coach Jimbo Fisher last night.
"Coach Fisher has a lot of energy, Washington said. "I asked questions and so did Josh and we listened to the answers, and he cleared up some concerns I had. Everything he said resonated with us."
Is that when Fisher locked things up? Possibly.
In an interview with Evan G. Watkins of 247Sports conducted after Sweat chose Florida State, the 5-star prospect said he made up his mind at 2:00 or 3:00 AM this morning. Sweat spoke to all his suitors last night, but didn't let any of them know his decision. Jimbo and FSU seemingly had the best sales pitch and closing argument.
Watkins' interview had some other interesting nuggets of information.
Q: When did you let your family and (Oscar Smith) coach (Richard) Morgan know?
Sweat: "I actually let coach Morgan know today right before the ceremony. I let my mom know this morning. I woke her up and let her know."
Q: How were their responses?
Sweat: "I guess they were supporting me. I don't guess. I know they definitely were supportive. And I appreciate that a lot even if it wasn't their first choice. That means a lot."
Both Cav and Stinespring, two recruiters with a great track record, have mentioned the importance of winning over mom at the NOVA Hokie Club's recruit night events. In this case, it didn't even matter.
Q: What was the hardest school to turn down?
Sweat: "Probably Virginia Tech. Because I love everybody up there. I really do. (Hokies tight ends coach Bryan) Stinespring. All the coaches. I really felt that connection with them. You can't make everybody happy. I wish you could. They were probably the hardest to let down."
Tech tried and came up short. It happens, but it seems like that's the case more often than not for Tech right now especially when it comes to the state's best players.
J.C. Coleman, Sweat's former teammate at Oscar Smith, was shocked by the announcement. Coleman was also a vocal recruiter for the Hokies during his recruitment in 2011.
WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!— J.C. Coleman (@jc_coleman4) December 10, 2014
He also helped give some insight into a recruit's, in this case Sweat's, decision process.
Hate when people blame coaches for recruiting. At the end of the day, it's about what's on the players heart!— J.C. Coleman (@jc_coleman4) December 10, 2014
Recruiting is way more than a coach selling you his program! It's more about personal fit for the individual. People don't understand that!— J.C. Coleman (@jc_coleman4) December 10, 2014
Sweat might be off the board, but it's still clear Virginia Tech is in desperate need of defensive ends this cycle. Dadi Nicolas and Ken Ekanem are All-ACC caliber players. Backsups Dewayne Alford and Seth Dooley didn't push for playing time or pop on film, and after that it's slim pickings. French is high on 2015 verbal Trevon Hill, but Tech needs to sign at least three ends this cycle.
247Sports reported three-star prospect Shelton Johnson (Atlantic / Delray Beach, Florida) plans to officially visit Tech this weekend.
Tech is still actively pursuing Houshun Gaines, but Miami, Virginia and Vanderbilt are too. If North Carolina offered the Nash Central (Rocky Mount, NC) star, all four aforementioned schools might all take a backseat to the Heels. Also, when Gaines announced his commitment to Florida, that time he realized he a non-committable offer after committing, he said, "Ultimately it came down to where I saw myself wanting to play football and where I would want to be, and I couldn't see myself at Virginia Tech if I wasn't playing football." That doesn't make me feel good about Tech's chances.
Atlee blue-chip linebacker / d-end Ricky DeBerry will announce on Dec. 19 at 10:00 AM and will pick among offers from Alabama, Michigan State, Oklahoma, Penn State, Tennessee, Texas A&M, Virginia and Virginia Tech.
The situation at defensive end is desperate enough that if Tech lands one of three from that group it's a win. Two of three and I'm dancing.
It will be interesting to see who the Hokies then pursue at end to fill its class. Bud Foster and Charley Wiles are two of the best in the business at developing prospects, but they need bodies to turn water to wine beer
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