'Off-Board' OT Commits to VT: Meet Silas Dzansi

I knew this signing day rush was going to be nuts, but this is just out of left field. When you're talking decommitments from Delaware State that are now committing to Virginia Tech, that's kind of the definition of left field. I'm all for taking some OL, though. So, I'm happy to say that we've received a commitment from Silas Dzansi of CD Hylton High School up here in NoVA- it's over in Woodbridge and is the alma mater of Travon McMillian. Silas is the 19^th member of this class, and joins Demitri Moore, Patrick Kearns, TJ Jackson, and Thomas Jarrett Hopple as commitments for this year (they're also joining Zachariah Hoyt and Austin Cannon, both prep school grads that joined Tech for the spring semester). Dzansi isn't an overly well-known prospect, as Barton Simmons quotes in this article by 247sports. He had academic scores issues, and would likely have had a larger offer sheet if they were in line before recently. As it sits, this is so sudden that only Rivals had a grade on him out of the four major recruiting services, and 247 just saw fit tonight to put him at an 87, which is a high three star recruit. Out of the blue, indeed.

Silas Dzansi (Woodbridge, VA. 260lbs, 6'-5", Offensive Tackle)

So what do we have to look forward to? Well, Dzansi is the measurables guy, joining TJ Jackson as a recruit you go after for the frame, strength, and athleticism rather than the experience or technique. Since Dzansi is going to greyshirt (defer enrollment a half semester until next spring), he's got plenty of time to develop. As it sits, I like a couple things about him. Yes, those measurables are definitely intriguing. He pushes people around easily. I love it when coaches have the confidence to pull backside tackles on opposite-side runs- it means that they can move. I do like his ability to keep people in front of him- on his highlights, he's doing a solid job of being in the right position. I think his handwork can use some advancement, and I'd like to see a little bit more finishing of the guys he has locked up, but give him time to gain about 25-30lbs and another year or two to mature, and he could be a very solid contributor. I agree with Simmons in that Dzansi is a toolsy guy that while you're stocked with upper classmen for a couple years, you go out and offer scholarships to just to redshirt and prepare them. Dzansi says that Virginia Tech was his dream school, and he committed on the spot when he was offered.

Good luck to Silas at FUMA, and welcome to the class of 2016!