Head coach Justin Fuente welcomed three student-athletes to Virginia Tech on Wednesday to round out a 27-player 2018 recruiting class that included 24 early signees.
The three newest Hokies will all join the Lunch Pail Defense. That trio includes two defensive linemen (Jaevon Becton and Cam Goode) and one linebacker (Dax Hollifield).
“We’re excited to add Jaevon, Cam and Dax to an already deep and talented signing class,” Fuente said. “I’d like to thank all our coaches and staff who worked so tirelessly throughout the recruiting process. We’re anxious to get the entire group on campus to start the next chapter in their journey.”
The 27-player group is comprised from nine different states, plus the District of Columbia and includes 12 players on defense, 11 players on offense, three athletes and one specialist.
The state of Virginia topped the 2018 class with seven signees, followed by North Carolina (six) and Florida (four). The Hokies added two signees apiece from Maryland and Pennsylvania. The District of Columbia contributed two players to the signing class, while Georgia, Illinois, South Carolina and Tennessee were all represented with one addition to the Tech roster.
Here is a look at the three newest additions to Tech’s signing class:
Jaevon Becton
Defensive End 6’3” 255 lbs.
Virginia Beach, Ocean Lakes HS
Becton earned first-team All-State and first-team All-USA accolades following his play in 2017. He helped guide Ocean Lakes High School to a 10-2 record as a senior and a second-round appearance in the VHSA 6A playoffs under head coach Joe Jones. He is planning on majoring in agribusiness construction.
Cam Goode
Defensive Line 6’0” 332 lbs.
Washington, D.C. St. John’s College
Goode earned first-team All-Met honors by The Washington Post and helped lead St. John’s College to the 2017 WCAC Championship this past season. He also was named Military Bowl Player of the Week and was chosen to play in the Under Armour All-American game. The defensive lineman posted 46 tackles, 29 tackles for loss, 14 sacks and three forced fumbles under head coach Joe Casamento.
Dax Hollifield
Linebacker 6’2” 240 lbs.
Shelby, N.C. Shelby
Hollifield turned in 150 tackles, 32 tackles for loss, eight sacks, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery this past fall under head coach Lance Ware at Shelby High School. His 629 career tackles and 139 tackles for loss are both school and county records. In 2016, Hollifield helped lead Shelby to a perfect 16-0 season, capping it off with a state title behind a 16-tackle, one-sack, one-fumble recovery performance to take home MVP honors. He was four-time MaxPreps.com All-American, a four-time NC Preps All-State selection and the Charlotte Observer’s All-Region Defensive Player of the Year. He played in this year’s U.S. Army All-American Bowl where he served as a team captain.
–VT Athletics