2025 Safety Rating: Four-Star Kendall Daniels Jr. is set to commit on August 2nd.
Can Virginia Tech trump Clemson and South Carolina for safety?
One of Virginia Tech’s in-state recruits has narrowed his options to three institutions and plans to make a decision shortly. On August 2nd, safety Kendall Daniels will make his final commitment choice.
Kendall Daniels Jr. has reduced his list of football programs to three: the South Carolina Gamecocks, the Clemson Tigers, and the Virginia Tech Hokies.
According to 247Sports, Daniels is one of the top 25 safety prospects in the 2025 class. Daniels is a four-star prospect and 247Sports’ eighth best 2025 player from Virginia.
Daniels would be a significant commit for the Hokies. Daniels would be Virginia Tech’s fourth four-star prospect in the 2025 class. Four-star linebacker Brett Clatterbaugh committed in late March, but Virginia Tech has heated up since July. On July 1, Virginia Tech signed wide receiver Matthew Outten, who is rated 140th nationally by 247Sports. On July 10th, four-star athlete Micah Matthews announced his commitment to Virginia Tech. Matthews is a two-sport athlete who is ranked as a top 50 baseball prospect and a top 125 football recruit in the 2025 class by 247Sports.
Despite having only 15 committed players, Virginia Tech ranks 10th in the ACC’s 2025 recruiting class. Regardless, just four other ACC teams have signed as many four-star recruits as the Hokies. Perennial ACC recruiting powerhouses Clemson, Florida State, and Miami have all signed at least ten four-star recruits, according to 247Sports rankings. SMU, an ACC newcomer, is the only other school with more four-star recruits than Virginia Tech, having signed four of them in the 2025 recruiting class.
Virginia Tech also ranks well in the ACC for average recruit ranking, a 247Sports measure that rates schools based on the average quality of their recruits. Virginia Tech’s average recruit score is an impressive 87.57, trailing just five other ACC schools: Clemson (93.12), Florida State (92.96), Miami (90.81), North Carolina (88.52), and SMU. Virginia Tech would love to add Daniels to this recruiting class, and he would improve the Hokies’ average recruit rating.
Here’s a scouting report on Kendall Daniels from Gabe Brooks of 247Sports:
“The size requires third-party verification, although it is certainly tall and large-framed. Experience over the top as a deep safety, occasionally aligning off the edge. Gives special teams value. Tone-setting hitter that flies downward looking for contact.
Can improve his technique and consistency as a tackler, although he is undeniably successful most of the time. The frame helps to narrow throwing windows and disturb the catch point. Above-average functional athlete with the necessary ball skills who may pose a threat following an interception. Has also received a modest but valuable number of offensive snaps. The athletic setting lacks an optimal collection of multi-sport evidence and combined testing data. Fits the characteristics of a modern hybrid safety/linebacker capable of adapting to a variety of personnel looks while remaining on the field in all situations. Given his perceived build specs and functional athleticism on film, he projects as a high-major second-level defender with developmental potential.
Daniels is a very excellent prospect who would undoubtedly be a multi-year starter if he were to sign to Virginia Tech. Daniels may contribute as a sub linebacker and safety, so whichever school he attends, he will undoubtedly bring a lot to the table.
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