Micah Matthews, an excellent athlete in two sports, has committed to Virginia Tech.
Micah Matthews, a Top247 athlete, will play both football and baseball at Virginia Tech.
Micah Matthews, a Top247 prospect, made his decision for reasons other than football. Baseball was an important part of the recruiting process for Bridgewater (Va.) Turner Ashby prospect, and Virginia Tech made him feel the most at ease on both fronts.
The 6-foot-2, 205-pound receiver/outfielder chose to remain close to home. He committed to the Hokies on Wednesday. It was another big in-state win for Virginia Tech, and Matthews is aware of it.
“I love being a part of this in-state revival,” he told me. “Virginia Tech was my first offer and the staff had done a great job of being really consistent with me since the time they offered me over a year and a half ago.”Every time I go, there are alumni like Kevin Jones, Andre Davis, or someone who has played a significant role in Virginia Tech football history, and I want to be a part of what comes next.”
The decision means Matthews, a productive receiver, will stay close to home. Turner Ashby is a two-hour journey down I-81 to Virginia Tech’s campus, and he brings tremendous playmaking abilities with him.
During his junior season, he caught 86 receptions for 1,476 yards and 16 touchdowns. He gained 907 yards following the catch.
However, this was also a baseball choice, and a significant one.
Matthews originally committed to South Carolina for baseball as a sophomore, but he expanded his recruitment since he wanted to play both sports in college.
Baseball was as important to him as football during his visits to teams that were recruiting him. Virginia Tech knew that combining the two was critical.
“That’s another thing that really sold me,” Matthews remarked. “(Football) Coach (Brent) Pry and (baseball) Coach (John) Szefc are good friends who have previously worked together.
They made a plan for me and my family to look at and see how the baseball/football correlation works, and I know it won’t be easy, but it’s absolutely something I have full support from both staffs to pursue.
In truth, one of the Hokies’ main rivals, North Carolina, won its division in the ACC, thus the baseball team needed to show Matthews more.
“The baseball team has always been one of the best offensive teams in the ACC,” Matthews told reporters. “(Associate Head) Coach Kurt (Elbin) has sat down with me on multiple times to explain me the development track and how I will be valuable at Virginia Tech early on, which thrills me.
Here’s what you should know:
What Micah Matthews Says About Virginia Tech:
“I just love that their vision is to get the ball into the hands of the playmakers,” Matthews told the audience. “They really want to utilize my versatility as a ball carrier as well as a receiver.”
Who else was in the mix?
Matthews looked into a variety of choices, including formal trips to Brigham Young, Utah, Virginia, North Carolina, and Virginia Tech, but it ultimately came down to the Hokies and the Tar Heels. At times, UNC possessed the top position, thanks in large part to the Tar Heels’ baseball program. Both sports played a significant role in Matthews’ decision. It was back and forth during the winter and spring, but the Hokies moved.
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