With Fuga Commitment, Hokies Gain Pledge of Second DT in a Week

Things are moving again on the Hokie recruiting trail as the first signing day/period approaches here on Wednesday. First the Hokies flipped JUCO DT Dashawn Crawford from Troy, and now they land late-riser Joshua Fuga after flipping him from Temple.

Fuga is a three star defensive tackle from Woodbridge, VA, which makes him the second NoVA commitment after Dean Ferguson from Sterling, and the seventh commitment from the commonwealth overall. He’s also the fourth defensive tackle commitment joining Crawford, Mario Kendricks, and Norell Pollard. Fuga is currently rated a 73 three-star by ESPN (96^th DT, 30^th State), a 5.3 two star by Rivals, and a 85 three-star by 247 (113^th DT, 38^th state). The Hokies are definitely his largest offer, as his other offers include Pennsylvania, Georgetown, Navy, Old Dominion, Virginia, and Mashall, among others. Fuga decommitted yesterday from his prior commitment to Temple while on an official visit, so it wasn’t like this was unexpected. Primarily recruited by Bud Foster and Charley Wiles, hopefully Fuga can help replenish the very shallow depth on the defensive line.

Let’s go to the tape.

Joshua Fuga (Woodbridge, VA. 6’-1”, 301lbs. Defensive Tackle.)

Fuga moves pretty quick for someone already 300lbs in high school, and shows good awareness and drive at the point of attack. He’s good at slipping gaps and shows at least a little bit of a swim and rip move, though obviously those will need refinement. He’s also got some bull rush power, but that’s not exactly likely to stick all the way through college as it is. I do like how he’s aware enough to not get cut block and is good at disengaging now to start with- handwork is something that all defensive linemen should learn early and quickly. Either way, while he’s probably not playing next year, there’s plenty of raw starting talent to mold into a defensive tackle in a penetrating scheme like Foster’s.

Welcome to the Hokies, Joshua.