Hokies accused of tampering with RB who ended up at UVA

By Jerry Ratcliffe

North Carolina Central coach Trei Oliver accused Virginia Tech of tampering on Friday during an interview in Raleigh, part of the Bill Dooley Pigskin Preview.

Oliver told media that Tech was at a NC Central game, trying to recruit running back J’Mari Taylor, who later signed with UVA as a grad transfer through the portal.

“Virginia Tech was actually on my sideline recruiting our running back,” Oliver said.

The NC Central coach reported that before the Eagles’ game in Durham last Nov. 15, he recognized a Virginia Tech staff member on Central’s sideline. When Oliver asked why the Tech staffer was on the sideline, he was told that the Tech staffer was there to visit George “Bulldog” Smith, a NC Central assistant AD.

Taylor, who rushed for more than 1,000 yards last season, was brilliant that day, picking up 206 yards on the ground in the game and scoring three touchdowns in a Central win over Howard.

“That was pretty bold,” Oliver said last Friday. “I couldn’t believe it. A couple coaches tried to calm me down and say, ‘Yeah, Coach, he’s just down here visiting.’ But I knew what it was.”

Oliver didn’t reveal the Tech staffer’s name or his running back, but did divulge the player ended up at Virginia, signing an NIL package worth $400,000. Taylor is the only NC Central player on the UVA roster.

“We won the game and two weeks later, my kid got in the portal,” Oliver said. “Then [Virginia Tech] were the first people trying to get in his ear. Thank God he went to UVA, and UVA is going to beat the smoke out of them other folks.”

Virginia Tech has since issued this statement:

“We were made aware Friday afternoon of a public comment suggesting a potential NCAA rules concern involving a member of our coaching staff. This is the first time the issue has been brought to our attention, and no concern has previously been shared with us through any formal channel.

“Virginia Tech takes all NCAA rules seriously and is committed to conducting our program with integrity. We are reviewing the matter internally and will address any findings appropriately.”