Hokie Tracks Are Back From New Orleans

Virginia Tech added a 5-star... long snapper to its 2018 recruiting class. Oscar Shadley announced his commitment to the Hokies on Monday.

I'm extremely blessed to say that I am fully committed to Virginia tech university! #exitlight18. Go hokies pic.twitter.com/4B2oJOZBzg— Oscar Shadley (@biggame_32) July 10, 2017

Shadley — a U.S. Army All-American — is a scholarship player for Tech. He also had an offer from Oregon. The 6-2, 230 pound Naples, FL product started at defensive end for Golden Gate HS last season, and will also strap it up at tight end for his senior campaign. Golden Gate coach Mike DiGrigoli explained the nuances of elite long snapper play.

"Long snapping may be his niche and his way of getting a scholarship, but make no mistake about it, it's not like being a kicker, where all you really have to do is kick," he said. "As the long snapper, you have to be able to play other positions and excel at them. On (PAT and field-goal) kicks, once you snap the ball, you've got to block. On punts, the snapper is usually the first guy down the field, so you've got to be able to make a tackle. And he's done that for us. A lot of his highlight tapes show him running down the field and making the play on the return man. Talking to the recruiters, they really like his ability to cover punts."

Rubio Long Snapping rated Shadley as a 5-star recruit (Division I prospect), and their review of a recent Shadley camp performance is Frank Beamer levels of special teams erotica.

Shadley was excellent at the Rubio Long Snapping VEGAS XXIX Event on January 14-15, 2017. Body is D1 ready right now and he is one of, if not the best overall athletes in his class. Kid snaps with pure power and absolutely destroyed the athleticism aspect of the camp. It almost wasn't fair. Love to see him lock down his spiral and make sure his accuracy is smooth and on point. He could go down as one of the best. Coaches should offer him right now if they are looking for a 2018 Rubio Long Snapper.

K.J. Henry would be the ultimate prize for Tech's #NC2VT campaign. And the Hokies are outpacing other suitors for the West Forsyth HS (Clemmons, NC), 5-star defensive end's services.

Surprisingly, it's not Alabama or Clemson who is recruiting the 6-foot-5, 235-pound prospect the hardest. It's a team who is on the rise with second-year coach Justin Fuente.

"Virginia Tech," Henry said of the school who is on him the hardest. "They're a much smaller school compared to Alabama and Clemson, but I like them. They're doing the right things. They're close to home. They have good relationships with my parents. The coaches have shown lots of love."

Vick to Tech's hall of fame. Virginia Tech announced its 2017 hall of fame class.

Forever enshrined.. @HokiesFB #HOF pic.twitter.com/ZFEEBAHYgM— Mike Vick (@MikeVick) July 11, 2017

Former #Hokies football ass't Bryan Stinespring: "People ask me all the time what it was like to have Michael Vick as the QB on your team."— Mike Barber (@RTD_MikeBarber) July 11, 2017

Former #Hokies assistant Bryan Stinespring on Mike Vick: "Every day was like a highlight video. We'd say, 'We're glad we got that on film.'"— Mike Barber (@RTD_MikeBarber) July 11, 2017

Ex #Hokies ass't Stinespring recalled Michael Vick eager to get back on field during lightning delay: "It's not going to hit me," Vick said.— Mike Barber (@RTD_MikeBarber) July 11, 2017

Faster than the speed of light, y'all.

Michael Vick's first @SInow cover story, in 2000: "The kid is so good he makes his mother cry." https://t.co/BD6mLL3SLC pic.twitter.com/23KU71PhWl— SI College Football (@si_ncaafb) July 11, 2017

AMA. Hokies legend, Mountaineer slayer, and mini-helmet connoisseur Shayne Graham is set to answer all your questions live, Thursday at noon EDT on TKP.