Defensive back Shawn Asbury decommits from Virginia Tech

Class of 2021 cornerback Shawn Asbury decommitted from Virginia Tech on Friday evening and quickly flipped his pledge to ACC rival Boston College.

Asbury committed to the Hokies back in the summer almost immediately after receiving his official offer.

A 5-foot-10, 170-pound cornerback from North Stafford High in Stafford, Va., Asbury is a three-star recruit, according to 247Sports. He is the nation’s No. 132 cornerback and No. 40 overall player in Virginia for this cycle.

Look, on the surface, this is a tough blow for the Hokies. Perception matters. When you lose a Virginia kid to Boston College it is not a good thing. Not only that, Asbury becomes at least the sixth player to back out of his verbal pledge to Virginia Tech this cycle.

However, this could be more of a case of a mutual parting. While Asbury said Virginia Tech was his “dream school” back when he committed, the Hokies could be facing a numbers crunch come the early signing period in December.

Virginia Tech generally signs most of its players in the December period, but with 2020 being so unique with no visits allowed between the players and coaches, more players may push their signing to February. The Hokies could have a number of players return next season due to the NCAA ruling giving players what amounts to a free year of eligibility.

Asbury is a talented young prospect I really liked. I admit, there wasn’t a lot of film on him due to an injury in high school, but he looked like the type of player Virginia Tech usually has success with. And, he plays at a position of need.

The Hokies aren’t the only team that is facing a rash of decommitments. It is happening everywhere. And it will continue to happen.

So many teams took early pledges from players they had not seen in person because of the uncertainty of this cycle. Teams — and players — jumped on board in places where either they may not be a fit or the team is holding the spot for another player who may become free.

This isn’t a game-changing loss for the Hokies. It hurts more on perception than on the field. However, I do believe Asbury has the ability to be a multi-year starter at the college level.

Best wishes to Shawn Asbury. He seems like a great kid and you can’t blame him for finding the absolute best situation for him and his future.