Virginia Tech Hokies

2017 Signing Class Spotlight: Nathan Proctor, Linebacker

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 3:01 p.m. ET

Fansided, Jw Gravley/FanSided via Fighting Gobbler

Nathan Proctor could wind up being a starter for the Hokies before the season kicks off.

At the Under Armour All-American game the four-star linebacker and defensive end, Nathan Proctor announced his commitment to Justin Fuente and the Virginia Tech Hokies. A couple weeks later it was rumored that Pittsburgh was making what seemed to be a strong push for Proctor but Proctor clarified all the rumors when he took to Twitter saying he was “staying committed”.

Proctor had a total of 30 official offers but narrowed his list to just three and it remained three all the way up to his final announcement. The teams he was interested in were Virginia Tech, Penn State and Pittsburgh.

Proctor, a four-star recruit who is the No. 148 player in the country according to 247 Sports’ composite rankings and is the No. 11 outside linebacker nationally and No. 3 player in Maryland this year, according to 247 Sports. ESPN ranks him as the No. 100 player nationally.

Proctor has the ability to not only to play on the defensive line, but he can drop back in coverage and make a play that seems routine for the opposing offense very difficult.

In 2015, Prpctor was a consensus All-State player at linebacker, while adding a Washington Post All-Met second team selection as a junior. Playing for Coach John Lush, Proctor finished his high school career with 205 total tackles, 133 solo, 19 sacks and 55 tackles for a loss. He also added 43 quarterback hurries, had six fumble recoveries and forced seven.

On January 26, Proctor’s high school coach said, “He is staying with Tech, he really liked the staff at Pitt but felt the most comfortable with Virginia Tech. He liked the environment there [Virginia Tech]. He liked that feel. He is big big on relationships and so is his family, and they really felt at home there.”

The size may be a small concern for the Hokies but standing at 6-foot-3, 220-pounds it won’t take long for Proctor to gain more muscle and when he does, he will be a force on the defensive side of the ball.