Dion Edwards Begins 10-Visit Run With Virginia Tech

What Happened

Four-star safety Dion Edwards will begin a planned visit run at Virginia Tech on Sept. 5, when the Hokies open the James Franklin era against VMI. The 6-foot, 175-pound Tyner Academy prospect has Virginia Tech among his first five scholarship opportunities and said his relationship with Franklin and the new staff has continued. Edwards is ranked the nation’s No. 10 safety and No. 98 prospect by the Rivals Industry. His schedule also includes visits to Texas A&M, Ole Miss, Florida, Missouri, Miami, Auburn, Notre Dame, Georgia and Clemson. No commitment is reported.

Why It Matters

• Virginia Tech gets the first live recruiting visit in Edwards’ planned schedule, giving Franklin’s staff an early chance to build on an established relationship.
• Edwards’ itinerary puts him in front of 10 programs across September, October and November, creating a direct comparison of coaching staffs, game-day settings and player-development pitches.
• Clemson remains a serious factor after Edwards praised its culture, tradition, atmosphere and development under Dabo Swinney’s staff.

THE PATE STATE READ

Virginia Tech deserves credit for getting the first visit, especially with Edwards already familiar with the program and positive about Franklin’s player development. The task is harder than winning one weekend, though. Edwards has built a schedule that tests every major part of a recruiting pitch across 10 programs. Clemson, Notre Dame, Miami and the SEC schools will get their own live evaluation. The first visit gives Virginia Tech a head start, not control of the race. The verification event is Edwards arriving in Blacksburg on Sept. 5 for the VMI opener.(Josh has not yet commented.)

What's Next

• Sept. 5: Edwards visits Virginia Tech for the Hokies’ opener against VMI.
• Sept. 12: Edwards is scheduled to visit Texas A&M for the Arizona State game.
• Sept. 19: Edwards is scheduled to visit Ole Miss for its game against LSU.