Virginia Tech Football: Top National Signing Day Targets

5. Brad Johnson, 4-star WDE (Pendleton, SC)

Brad Johnson is a four-star weakside defensive end prospect out of South Carolina who the Virginia Tech Hokies have their eyes on. Johnson ranks 310 overall in the nation, 22nd by position and third overall in the state of South Carolina, according to 247 Sports.

The Hokies lost defensive end Ken Ekanem, defensive tackles Nigel Williams and Seth Dooley has left the program, making their defensive line rebuild a priority. They do return six other players, however, the defensive line depth will need to meet their needs.

Johnson took an official visit to Blacksburg, Virginia on December 9. He also took an official to South Carolina on January 14, another school highly favored to earn his pledge. The four-star defensive end has had a lot of contact with the Gamecocks as they are relative to his location. But flipping commits or swaying their final decisions has been something the Hokies are used to doing.

With National Signing Day approaching, the Hokies are still pushing for Johnson. With five underclassman on the roster for 2017, there’s plenty of playing time on Bud Foster’s defense, which usually rotates a lot of defensive linemen. They do have two commitments already from defensive ends, but Johnson would strengthen the class for sure.

His decision is expected to be made on National Signing Day.