THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, February 8, 1996 TAG: 9602080535
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C4 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY STEVE CARLSON, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 69 lines
Don't talk to Frank Beamer about rankings of recruiting classes and how Virginia Tech's compares to other schools, because he couldn't care less.
Tech won the Big East and the Sugar Bowl last season with a team comprised of few blue-chip recruits. The Hokies signed 28 players Wednesday and Beamer likes the makeup of the class, regardless of what others say of them. Pennsylvania-based G&W Recruiting ranks Tech's class the fourth-best in the Big East behind Syracuse, Miami and Pittsburgh.
``What I look for are kids (who) are talented enough that really want to be successful and will work at it,'' Beamer said. ``That's kind of the way our football team was this past year. I think this class is good. I don't know how it will be rated by anybody, and I don't really care.''
``We'll see how good it is in time. The verdict is how many are in there playing a couple of years from now and producing for you.''
Tech recruiting coordinator John Ballein said the areas the Hokies plucked players from indicates the impact the Big East has had on the program. The Hokies grabbed nine players from Virginia and six from both Florida and Pennsylvania. Rounding out the class are three from New Jersey, two from New York and one from both Mississippi and Washington, D.C.
``We feel it's as good as any recruiting class we've had here,'' Ballein said. ``We concentrated once again on speed and the ability to change direction. That's what we base our offense and defense on.''
One area where Tech needs speed is receiver. There is no heir apparent for Sugar Bowl most valuable player Bryan Still. The Hokies signed three receivers - Cory Bird from Mays Landing, N.J., Hampton's Walter Ford out of Butler County Community College in Kansas and Brian Remley of Berwick, Pa. Remley was one of two players Tech signed from Berwick, the nation's top-ranked high school team according to USA Today.
``I think we got three kids right there that can come in and play right away,'' Beamer said. ``Ford's a guy we'd like to take Bryan Still's spot as a speed guy who can go deep.''
Among Tech's top-rung recruits is placekicker Shayne Graham out of Pulaski County, who is expected to challenge for the starting job next season. Graham, a Parade All-American, has started since his freshman year. He also made the BlueChip Illustrated dream team, SuperPrep Al-American squad and was on USA Today's second-team all-USA.
Graham's 38 career field goals rank second all-time on the National High School Federation list. He had 17 field goals as a senior and 165 career point-after kicks, which both rank fifth all-time nationally and are state records.
``He'll end up scoring more points probably than any tailback that you sign,'' Beamer said. ``He's a solid guy and a consistent guy who could be a real good kicker.''
Tech also signed six defensive linemen, another area where incoming players will have a chance to contribute right away.
Tech recruits William Flowers and Tony Joe - two of three junior college signees - enrolled in January and actually count on last year's compliment. They will be available for spring practice.
All three JC players were ranked among the nation's top 80 JUCO players by SuperPrep. Twenty-two of the 25 high school signees were named to regional teams in their respective area of the country by national recruiting publications.
Ballein said Phillip Summers may actually enroll next January rather than the fall. Offensive lineman Troy Smith out of Virginia Beach's Green Run also said Wednesday he would enroll with the Hokies next January. by CNB