Robert Wooten (@Robjayy15)
HOUSTON - The past few weeks have been fast and furious for college coaching staffs across the country.
With the early National Signing Day in December, that has forced the hands of colleges with coaching staff changes to make the moves quickly and get them on the recruiting trail as fast as possible to get into homes and get recruits on campus before December 18.
So, who made the biggest impact?
#TX2VT takes Flight
A few years ago when Tom Herman was building up the Cougars' program down on Cullen Boulevard, the hashtag that took hold in the city was #HTownTakeover.
Now, #TX2VT seems to be taking a hold.
It started when North Shore quarterback Dematrius Davis verbally committed to the Hokies a few weeks ago.
"Virginia Tech really picked him. They recruited him so hard," Dematrius Davis Sr. said. "They really celebrated his commitment. The staff has a plan for him, and he really fits their style. They are comfortable with having a 6-foot quarterback. They have had success with that before with Michael and Marcus Vick and Tyrod Taylor. They want him to bring them back to those glory days."
Since then, a few other players have followed suit.
Stafford defensive end Robert Wooten, who was originally committed to Missouri prior to the coaching staff turnover there, visited Virginia Tech this past weekend and loves the staff which is "full of guys who played in the league" and the new defensive line coach.
"It's a culture shock it's different than what I'm used to," Wooten said. "Big city to small college town makes me feel like I'll lock in and focus on what's in front of me."
Wooten will be signing on Wednesday at Stafford High School.
Along with Wooten, another top defensive player that visited Blacksburg, Virginia this past weekend was Shadow Creek Sharks' defensive end Alec Bryant, who "loved" his trip.
"It's a nice city for sure and I think we all just want to do something different," Bryant, who did not say if he would sign on Wednesday or in February said.
What has really fueled this run is the rise of the athletes tweeting at each other, using the #TX2VT hashtag and getting the Hokies' fans to start following them.
Virginia Tech is selling the small-town feel and the Houston-area kids are feeling it.
Hokies .... start jumping #TX2VT #HokieNation 🦃 pic.twitter.com/mMQXCS9oPP
— RobertWooten ¹⁵ (@Robjayy15) December 15, 2019
#FightOn
When you talk about the blue blood, brand programs in college football a few come to mind.
Notre Dame, Texas and USC.
Those are the big brands of college football and kids love pulling on their iconic uniforms. Notre Dame has the all-gold helmets, Texas has the burnt orange and Texas across the chest and USC is the gold and red.
Area athletes are starting to be attracted to the Hollywood life.
Barbers Hill offensive lineman Casey Collier, who was originally committed Minnesota, is signing to USC on Wednesday, becoming the first big commit domino to fall for the Trojans.
Now, major defensive prospects Dwight McGlothern of Klein Oak, who is rated as VYPE's No. 2 on 2020 VYPE Top 100 prospects list, recently visited USC. Another top defender that is slated to visit Southern California in January is Aldine MacArthur's Joshua Eaton.
If USC lands both of these guys from Houston, that would be a big win for Clay Helton and his defense.
USC Official Visit #FightOn ✌🏾 TX>CALI ☀️ pic.twitter.com/szsI2Zw2rS
— DMJ🕴🏾 (@nudiemcglothern) December 17, 2019
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