While Virginia Tech did not have a great month of June when it comes to recruiting, the Hokies got a big commitment last night from four-star offensive tackle Thomas Wilder.
#RESPECTMYDECISION#thisishome @RivalsFriedman @Rivals @HokiesFB pic.twitter.com/Drkszn1jxg
— Thomas”BIG TEEZY”Wilder (@teezynumba70) July 4, 2025
With his commitment, Virginia Tech has its highest-rated commitment of their 2026 class and their eighth commitment overall.
According to the 247Sports Composite, Wilder is ranked as the No. 318 player in the country, the No. 29 offensive tackle in the country, and the No. 9 player in the state of Virginia. The 6'6 285 LBS OT took an official visit to Blacksburg and has also taken official visits to Maryland, Penn State, and North Carolina.
Virginia Tech's class stil only ranks 87th in the country, but could this be the start of a run for the Hokies on the recruiting trail?
That is the big question. In the very early stages of the 2026 recruiting class, Virginia Tech got commitments from four-star prospects Peyton Falzone and Carnell Warren, but they are no longer committed to Virginia Tech. Wilder is a high-level commitment that could be an instant contributor in Blacksburg and could start a big momentum shift in recruiting for Virginia Tech.
Today, Virginia Tech received a pair of 247Sports Crystal Ball Predictions to land three-star offensive lineman Adrian Hamilton, who is set to commit on July 5th. Hamilton is the No. 5 player in the Washington D.C. area and would be another huge addition to the offensive line class for the Hokies. Virginia and Michigan State are also prime contenders for Hamilton, so the Hokies have their work cut out for them, but they are in the mix.
Three-Star tight end Destin Mitchell is another player that the Hokies are being predicted to land and he would be a great add to the class.
Mitchell (6'3 234 LBS) is a three-star prospect according to 247Sports and is ranked as the 45th best tight end prospect in the country and the No. 20 player in the state of Maryland. He plays at Concordia Prep in Towson (MD) and has other offers from Boston College, Maryland, Michigan State, Florida State, Penn State, Pittsburgh, West Virginia, and Wisconsin, among others.
The big prize could be at the end of the month.
One of the top targets on the board for Virginia Tech has named his final four finalists in his recruitment as well as set a commitment date. Four-Star defensive end Elijah Golden (6'4 275 LBS), who plays at Cardinal Mooney High School in Florida, announced that Virginia Tech, Oklahoma, Alabama, and Notre Dame are his final four schools and he will make a commitment on July 26th. Golden took an official visit to Virginia Tech on May 30th and has also taken official visits to Alabama, Notre Dame, and Oklahoma.
While there have not been any 247Sports predictions for Golden, Rivals recruiting expert John Garcia predicted Notre Dame to land the talented defensive lineman:
Rivals’ @JohnGarcia_Jr has logged an expert prediction for Notre Dame to land 4-star DL Elijah Golden☘️
— Rivals (@Rivals) July 4, 2025
Read: https://t.co/ahKzFiD7Yj pic.twitter.com/oAB1mr2jsF
Golden would be an elite get for the Hokies and would be their highest-rated commitment by a large margin. Right now, the Hokies' class ranks 93rd in the country and only has seven commitments. It has not been a particularly strong summer for Brent Pry and Virginia Tech, but they hope to make a big splash by landing Golden.
Here is a scouting report on Golden, courtesy of 247Sports Director of Scouting Andrew Ivins, who compared him to former SMU edge rusher Elijah Roberts:
"Green front-line defender with the materials needed to eventually emerge as a force at the point of attack. Might project best as a base end that can play over tackles and set the edge, but could kick further inside or even hang on the outside depending on how the body fills out in coming years. Tends to make the biggest impact with his engine as he will work vigorously to get through obstacles and then build speed in pursuit. Not exactly a precision rusher, but understands how to use his hands and can create an advantage on passing downs with his snap anticipation. Strong relative to his age, but needs to unlock more knockback power as that will help establish leverage more consistently. Finally started to show some signs of life with 10 sacks as a junior after being utilized in more of a reserve role as a sophomore. However, still far from a complete product and is the type of prospect that must keep making developmental strides if he’s ever going to match the player that has turned heads in combine settings. Should be viewed as a future multi-year contributor for a College Football Playoff contender that has a chance to morph into a game-wrecker if it all comes together."
The Summer so far has not been kind to Pry and his staff, but Wilder's big commitment yesterday could be the big swing they need to get things going.
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