Tackle spurns Va. Tech for North Carolina

BLACKSBURG

Kiaro Holts, a 6-foot-5, 270-pound tackle from Warren Central High in Indianapolis, surprised Virginia Tech on Friday by orally committing to North Carolina.

Many recruiting analysts thought he favored Tech. His teammate, defensive tackle Kris Harley, chose the Hokies in April and former Warren Central running back Darren Evans will be a Tech junior this season.

Holts is rated the No. 20 offensive tackle and

No. 199 overall prospect in the country by rivals.com.

Holts' decision makes Tech's recruitment of Harrisonburg's Landon Turner more important. The Hokies have been on a mission to upgrade their offensive line, and Turner is rated the No. 3 player in Virginia, No. 13 tackle in the country and No. 108 overall prospect in the nation.

Speedy wide receiver commits to Virginia

Wide receiver Brandon Phelps on Friday became the 16th player - and the most coveted so far - to commit to the University of Virginia.

Phelps, a 6-foot, 175-pounder from Damascus, Md., has 4.4-second speed in the 40-yard dash.

Phelps' father, Gary, was a two-year letterman at U.Va. in football (1982-83).

"It's been a really incredible process," Gary Phelps said. "Brandon is a very talented kid and I thought he could go play football somewhere. I didn't have any idea that it would balloon into what it has."

- The Roanoke Times