Marty Gordon
Carter Stallard has always dreamed of being a Hokie.
The Christiansburg High School offensive lineman made it official this past week when he signed a letter of intent with Virginia Tech.
“I’m glad to finally sign on the dotted line. It’s a relief,” he said.
At 6-8, 315, Stallard is ready to take the next step from high school to the college ranks.
“I have been leaning toward Tech since the ninth grade, and never thought of anywhere else,” Stallard said.
He had offers from 17 total Division I schools.
This past week, Stallard was named all-River Ridge District and is back-to-back All-County/All-City Lineman of the Year. He did not allow a sack on assignment spanning the duration of his three varsity seasons at Christiansburg.
His high school coach, Matt Heron called him an exceptional talent on the football field, but more importantly an even better person and teammate.
“Coaching Carter has been an absolute privilege; his relentless work ethic and character set a standard for everyone around him. Virginia Tech is not only getting an incredible player but also a leader who will represent their program with pride and integrity,” Heron said.
Stallard is rated as a three-star offensive lineman by 247Sports, ESPN and On3and Rivals and as the nation’s No. 68 offensive tackle by Rivals. He has also been ranked as high as the No. 4 offensive lineman from Virginia by ESPN and Rivals.
According to Stallard who will join the Hokies early in the next six weeks, he chose Tech based on his desire to represent his hometown, its rich academics and his relationships with the coaching staff.
Stallard is joined by several headline grabbing student-athletes including South Carolina quarterback AJ Brand. On Friday, the 6-1, 201 Brand was named the South Carolina Gatorade Player of the Year.
As a senior this season, he threw for 2,932 yards with 45 touchdowns while rushing for another 1,113 yards with 17 touchdowns. His Irmo High School team was scheduled to play this past weekend in the 5A Division 2 state semifinals.
The signees also include running back Jeff Overton, who attends Hayfield High School who forfeited the position in the current VHSL state playoffs. He compiled more than 8,125 career rushing yards in his career including over 1,500 this season. He was the 2023-24 Gatorade Football Player of the Year in Virginia.
At 5-10, 185, he could come in a be part of a running back room looking for some new blood as the Hokies lost their top two rushers from 2024.
One of the interesting signees included a multi-sport athlete who plans to continue multi-sports in Blacksburg. Micah Matthews will play both football and baseball.
He is a two-time Virginia High School League (VHSL) Class 3 All-State selection at wide receiver (2023 First Team, 2022 Second Team); 2023 First Team honoree at defensive back and has won two VHSL Valley District championships with Turner Ashby (2022, 2024), He had over 1,400 yards receiving this season.
Matthews is also ranked as the No. 54 overall Class of 2025 baseball prospect by Baseball America and was a 2023 VHSL Class 3 All-State Second Team outfielder.
He slashed a .488 batting average during the 2023 club season with 17 RBIs, 10 stolen bases and a 1.515 OPS.
Matthews had other football offers from BYU, Clemson, Kentucky, Maryland, NC State, North Carolina, Penn State, South Carolina, Rutgers, Utah, Virginia and West Virginia.
On the offensive side of the ball, Tech welcomed two quarterbacks, one running back, three receivers, two offensive linemen, and one athlete. The defensive signees include three defensive linemen, three linebackers and four defensive backs.
Based on the average prospect ranking Virginia Tech’s 2024 National Signing Day class ranks fourth in the ACC per Rivals, sixth in the 247 Sports Composite, and seventh according to On3. Nationally, the Hokies’ class has peaked at No. 22 among NCAA FBS programs, per Rivals, based on average prospect ranking.
The class represents six states. In addition to Virginia, four signees hail from the Carolinas, with one each from Maryland, Ohio and Texas. ATH Luke Stuewe is the lone signee from Ohio. The Avon Lake, Ohio legacy signee is the son of former Virginia Tech receiver Michael Stuewe and could play receiver or safety. Richmond, Virginia linebacker Brennan Johnson from Highland Springs High School, joins Stuewe as a legacy signee. Johnson’s father, Loren played defensive back for the Hokies from 1995 to 1998. Brennan’s brother, Braylon is a sophomore defensive back on the Hokies’ roster.
