Losing tailback Darren Evans to the NFL Draft wasn't unexpected. Losing tailback Ryan Williams to the NFL Draft was a bit surprising, but not a body blow since junior David Wilson is ready to start at tailback.

But one loss the Hokies knew they'd incur since last year is still one they'd prefer not to think about -- the graduation of quarterback Tyrod Taylor, the Atlantic Coast Conference Player of the Year.

And since prized recruit Lafonte Thourogood pulled a last-minute change of heart and opted to sign with Vanderbilt after verbally committing with Virginia Tech, it's left without a quarterback in a recruiting class the year after Taylor departed.

In fact, many will look at this class as a "what-if" class. As in, good, but what if they had gotten Thourogood? Or a pair of linebackers on their radar (Curtis Grant, Stephane Anthony) that opted for Ohio State and Clemson, respectively?

Still, coach Frank Beamer likes his 20-man class, saying the team was able to fill several important needs and land players they didn't anticipate getting. The class is heavy on defensive ends (four), defensive backs (five) and tight ends (four).

Given Beamer and his staff's ability to turn three-star players (and sometimes two-stars) into five-star performers by the time they're juniors and seniors, one has to give him the benefit of any doubt.

However, he admitted there were a couple of players they missed on that they would have liked to sign. And that's what some fans and observers will dwell on until this class proves itself.

TOP OF THE CLASS

DT Kris Harley (Warren Central High, Indianapolis, Ind.) -- A four-star recruit from the same high school as Evans, Harley is thought of as the highest-rated recruit in this class. At 6-foot-1 and 275 pounds, Harley has room to grow and already boasts the natural strength to fit into the Hokies' interior line rotation.

CB Kysheon Jarrett (East Stroudsburg High, Tannersville, Pa.) -- After verbally committing to Pittsburgh, Jarrett reopened his recruitment when coach Dave Wannstedt was canned. Tech beat out Penn State, Michigan and Wisconsin for this four-star performer, who could also return kickoffs and deliver big plays in the kicking game as well as contribute as a third cornerback next fall.

DE Corey Marshall (Dinwiddie High, Petersburg, Va.) -- The top in-state recruit from a program which has made a living recruiting at home, Marshall appears to be a perfect fit for coordinator Bud Foster's defense. He has the edge speed to reach the quarterback and the strength to stand up to the run, having played tackle in high school, and could challenge for a starting job in August.

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