Virginia Tech Football: Hokies Receive Huge Commitment From Four-Star Athlete Matthew Outten

Matthew Outen is now the highest-rated commitment for the Hokies 2025 recruiting class

2025 Four-Star Prospect Matthew Outten / 247Sports

Virginia Tech landed their highest-rated commit today when four-star athlete Matthew Outten committed to Brent Pry and Virginia Tech Football. Outten was on his official visit to Blacksburg on June 21st and he also took visits to Syracuse, Maryland, and Penn State.

1000% Commited #gohokies @CoachPryVT @HokiesFB @Coach_Mines pic.twitter.com/8LWuGPHMT7

— Matthew outten (@Matthewoutten6) July 1, 2024

This is a huge get for Brent Pry and the Hokies. Outten is now the highest-rated commit Virginia Tech in the 2025 class according to 247Sports, ranking as the No. 139 player in the country, the No. 5 athlete in the country and the No. 6 player in the state of Virginia.

The Hokies are starting to climb in the recruiting rankings, but there is still a little ways to go. They are now ranked as the No. 40 class in the country according to 247Sports and the No. 9 class in the ACC, behind Clemson, Miami, Georgia Tech, Stanford, Duke, Syracuse, Pitt, and Florida State. Yesterday, the Hokies got a big commitment from three-star Sherrod Henderson.

Here are some stats and info on Outten courtesy of 247Sports director of scouting Andrew Ivins:

"Also competes in track and field events.State qualifier in the 100 and 200-meter dashes as a sophomore.Top marks include 6.49 in the 55, 10.91 in the 100, 22.45 in the 200, 43-4 in the TJ and 5-6 in the HJ.

2023: Three-phase playmaker as a junior for Norcom getting snaps at WR and DB while doubling as team’s primary return man. In 6 games, caught 22 passes for 480 yards and 6 TD per MaxPreps. Added 22 tackles on defense along with a PRTD and a blocked punt."

Virginia Tech has been one of the sexy picks to be in contention for the ACC due to their massive amount of returning production, a talented quarterback in Kyron Drones, the favorable schedule, and the way they finished the year. The Hokies have lofty goals coming into the season and their win total in Vegas is at 8.5 right now. CBS Sports college football analyst Chip Patterson gave his prediction for each win total in the ACC and he has the Hokies going over their win total, finishing with a 10-2 record:

Wins: at Vanderbilt, Marshall, at ODU, at Miami, at Stanford, Boston College, Georgia Tech, at Syracuse, at Duke, Virginia
Losses: Rutgers, Clemson

Analysis: "After three wins in Year 1 and seven in Year 2, both the oddsmakers and our projections are calling for another step forward for coach Brent Pry in Year 3 with the Hokies. It's not just the overwhelming amount of returning production from last season, but how that group performed during a stretch in which the Hokies closed the year with five in wins in their last seven games, with all five victories coming by at least 17 points. Things seemed to click in Blacksburg, and when you carry that over to a schedule that does not have Florida State, NC State or SMU, there is clear room for more upward movement within the league. Over 8.5 wins"

If this prediction comes true, it is hard to see how Virginia Tech would not be playing in the ACC title game with a 10-2 record, with one of the losses being a non-conference loss vs Rutgers. The Hokies would have the tiebreaker over Miami and Georgia Tech, so it could depend on how Florida State finishes.

If Virginia Tech did get to the ACC Championship Game, they would then have the opportunity to win the conference and qualify for the new 12-team playoff. Considering where the program was when Brent Pry took over, that would be a huge accomplishment in year three. Virginia Tech is getting a lot of love this offseason and one thing they are going to have to navigate is how to handle the expectations. Games against Miami and Clemson are going to be huge tests, but those might be the only games in which the Hokies are underdogs. Being able to play as a favorite is going to be vital for this team going into the season.