Clemson at Virginia Tech: Recruiting Comparison
Clemson heads up to Blacksburg this weekend looking to clinch a spot in the ACC Championship Game for the sixth straight year.
This will be the first time the Tigers have faced off with the Hokies since a 31-17 win in Blacksburg back in 2017. A game that was a little more one-sided than the final score would indicate.
Today, these are two entirely different teams. Let's take a look at how they compare to one another from a talent standpoint using each teams most recent depth chart.
Recruiting Comparison
Quarterback
| Player | Class/Stars | Position Rank | Overall Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
Trevor Lawrence (CU) | 2018 5* | 1 | 1 (No. 6 All-Time) |
Hendon Hooker (VT) | 2017 4* | 11 (Dual) | 337 |
Hooker has developed into a solid quarterback. However, he isn't Lawrence. In fact, no one in the country is.
Advantage: Clemson
Running Back
| Player | Class/Stars | Position Rank | Overall Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
Travis Etienne (CU) | 2017 4* | 15 | 213 |
Khalil Herbert (VT) | 2016 3* | 143 | 2117 |
Herbert is having a solid season. He averages over 100 yards per game and more than 8 YPC. Those are Etienne like numbers. Before this season anyways. In his last two games against Miami and Pitt he's totaled 17 carries for 122 yards while also dealing with a hamstring. As for Etienne, nine games in and he's still waiting for that one huge game in which he breaks out. However, while Herbert has the numbers edge this season, it's Etienne that has the talent advantage.
Advantage: Clemson
Wide Receiver
| Player | Class/Stars | Position Rank | Overall Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
Cornell Powell (CU) | 2016 4* | 30 | 169 |
Amari Rodgers | 2017 4* | 16 | 117 |
EJ Williams | 2020 4* | 13 | 69 |
Tayvion Robinson (VT) | 2019 4* | 19 (ATH) | 344 |
Tre Turner | 2018 4* | 34 | 180 |
Kaleb Smith | 2018 3* | 256 | 1765 |
Despite being injury depleted most of the season, the Tigers receivers have been a bright spot on this team. Cornell Powell has stepped up and asserted himself. Amari Rodgers has done the same thing. E.J. Williams, while still a freshman, is one of the more talented wideouts on the roster and keeps getting better each week. Turner and Robinson lead the way for the Hokies with 61 catches between the two, but from a talent perspective, this isn't close.
Advantage: Clemson
Tight End
| Player | Class/Stars | Position Rank | Overall Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
Braden Galloway (CU) | 2018 3* | 41 | 858 |
James Mitchell (VT) | 2018 4* | 62 (WR) | 374 |
Mitchell was a wide receiver that transitioned out to tight end. He is third on the Hokies with 20 catches and 357 yards this season and has also reeled in four touchdowns. Galloway has 21 catches for 267 yards and 2 touchdowns but also splits time with Davis Allen.
Advantage: Push
Offensive Line
| Player | Class/Stars | Position Rank | Overall Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
LT Jackson Carman (CU) | 2018 5* | 1 | 17 |
LG Matt Bockhorst | 2017 4* | 17 | 240 |
C Cade Stewart | 2016 3* | 163 | 2021 |
RG Will Putnam | 2019 4* | 5 | 101 |
RT Jordan McFadden | 2018 3* | 66 | 819 |
LT Christian Darrisaw (VT) | 2018 3* | NA | 748 |
LG Lecitus Smith | 2017 3* | 43 (TE) | 926 |
C Brock Hoffman | 2019 2* | 205 | 3977 |
RG Doug Nester | 2019 4* | 6 | 106 |
RT Luke Tenuta | 2018 3* | 68 | 821 |
Clemson has three former blue chip players while the Hokies have just the one. They also have a former 2-star at center. While the Virginia Tech running game has been very good this season, it isn't necessarily due to an overpowering or very talented offensive line.
Advantage: Clemson
Defensive Line
| Player | Class/Stars | Position Rank | Overall Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
DE KJ Henry (CU) | 2018 5* | 3 | 14 |
DT Tyler Davis | 2019 4* | 12 | 137 |
DT Bryan Bresee | 2020 5* | 1 | 1 (18 Overall) |
DE Myles Murphy | 2020 5* | 1 | 7 |
LDE Justus Reed (VT) | 2014 3* | 33 | 799 |
DT Dashawn Crawford | 2019 3* | 11 | 76 |
NT Jarrod Hewitt | 2016 3* | 81 | 1330 |
RDE Emmanuel Belmar | 2016 3* | 66 | 1003 |
This one isn't even close. One team has a former blue chip at every position and the other has none. The Tigers front four could match up with most in the country from a pure talent perspective.
Advantage: Clemson
Linebacker
| Player | Class/Stars | Position Rank | Overall Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
SAM Mike Jones Jr (CU) | 2018 4* | 15 | 210 |
MIKE James Skalski | 2016 3* | 44 | 680 |
WILL Baylon Spector | 2017 3* | 45 | 609 |
OLB Dax Hollifield (VT) | 2018 4* | 8 | 151 |
MLB Rayshard Ashby | 2017 3* | 30 | 776 |
Some may remember Hollifiled from the Tigers pursuit of him back in 2018. However, he chose the Hokies over Clemson. The Virginia Tech linebackers were a little more highly rated by the recruiting services but they also run more of a 4-2-5 look. The Clemson backers have all outplayed their ranking.
Advantage: Clemson
Secondary
| Player | Class/Stars | Position Rank | Overall Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
CB Derion Kendrick (CU) | 2018 5* | 4 (WR) | 26 |
SS Lannden Zanders | 2019 3* | 61 | 781 |
FS Nolan Turner | 2016 Unranked | Unranked | Unranked |
CB Sheridan Jones | 2019 4* | 15 | 130 |
CB Jermaine Waller (VT) | 2018 3* | 81 | 912 |
NB Chamarri Canner | 2017 4* | 30 | 776 |
ROV Devin Taylor | 2016 Unranked | Unranked | Unranked |
FS Divine Deablo | 2016 3* | 70 | 415 |
CB Brion Murray | 2019 3* | 20 | 164 |
The backend of the Clemson defense is starting to not only play up to their talent level but also to the hype they received from the coaching staff back in camp. Last weekend against Pitt was one of their better efforts of the season. Even without Zanders and Kendrick. The Virginia Tech secondary on the other hand, it's been hit hard by personnel issues this season and just hasn't been very good.
Advantage: Clemson
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