Early Signing Day for the Class of 2025 took place on Wednesday, with most players either sticking with their commitments or switching teams over the past few months, weeks, and days. Virginia Tech lost a recruit from the class when Matthew Outten switched his commitment from the Hokies to Penn State in September, choosing James Franklin, who was Bret Pry’s former boss before Pry came to Blacksburg. There were rumors that South Carolina tried to lure AJ Brand away from Virginia Tech, but that effort was unsuccessful, as Brand officially signed with the Hokies . However, Pry and his staff were able to secure a major commitment, flipping one player that will be significant for the future.
Virginia Tech flips Cincinnati four-star commit
On June 17, four-star safety committed to the University of Cincinnati, choosing them over Virginia Tech just 10 days after visiting Blacksburg. However, the 5-foot-10, 160-pound Chesapeake native reversed his decision on Wednesday morning, de-committing from the Bearcats and committing to Virginia Tech.
This is a significant flip and a big win for Pry, as it strengthens the bond between Virginia Tech and the high school coaches and programs in Virginia. DeLoatch was a highly sought-after recruit, and losing him to Cincinnati was a setback, but flipping him back is a major victory. DeLoatch is ranked as the eighth-best player in Virginia, and his commitment marks the third four-star recruit for Virginia Tech in this class, as well as the 12th overall commit from Virginia.
When Pry was hired to replace Justin Fuente, he knew repairing relationships within the state was crucial for recruiting and retaining in-state talent. Despite DeLoatch’s initial commitment to Cincinnati, Virginia Tech assistant coach Fontel Mines continued to pursue him, and all that effort paid off. DeLoatch mentioned that the consistent communication from the Hokies’ staff and their vision for the program played a key role in his decision to flip his commitment at the last moment.
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