Virginia Tech Lands 7-Foot Center Antonio Dorn in Major Recruiting Coup
BLACKSBURG, Va. — In a move that sent waves through the college basketball recruiting world, Virginia Tech secured a massive commitment on Saturday morning from Antonio Dorn, a towering 7-foot center with the skill set and presence to transform the Hokies’ frontcourt. Head coach Mike Young, known for his methodical recruiting style and eye for under-the-radar talent, may have pulled off his biggest win yet on the trail.
Dorn, a senior at Lakeview Christian Academy in Charlotte, North Carolina, is widely regarded as one of the most intriguing big men in the 2025 class. Though he wasn’t always a consensus top-50 recruit, his stock skyrocketed over the past year thanks to a dominant AAU circuit and a standout senior season. Averaging 18.6 points, 12.3 rebounds, and 3.1 blocks per game, Dorn proved he could anchor both ends of the court while flashing a soft shooting touch and surprising agility for his size.
“I felt an immediate connection with Coach Young and the staff,” Dorn said during his commitment announcement on a live stream. “They believed in me before the big names came calling. Virginia Tech feels like home — a place where I can grow, compete, and win.”
The Hokies beat out several powerhouses for Dorn’s pledge, including Florida State, Baylor, and Illinois. Recruiting analysts say Dorn’s decision reflects not only Young’s growing influence but also the program’s appeal to players seeking an opportunity to be featured early in their careers.
“Antonio is a game-changer,” said national recruiting analyst Jay Foreman. “He has the frame of a traditional center but moves with the coordination and footwork of a modern forward. He can stretch the floor, protect the rim, and he’s only getting better.”
Dorn’s commitment also speaks to a changing tide in Blacksburg. Coach Young, entering his sixth season at the helm, has slowly rebuilt the Hokies into a competitive ACC force, focusing on a blend of blue-collar toughness and high-IQ play. With Dorn, the program now has its most physically imposing recruit in over a decade — a potential cornerstone for a team seeking to return to the NCAA Tournament after a rebuilding year.
“He’s got a motor you can’t teach,” said assistant coach Kevin Giltner, who led Dorn’s recruitment. “But more than that, he’s a great teammate, a smart kid, and he wants to be coached hard. That’s the kind of player who thrives here.”
Dorn is expected to make an immediate impact in the 2025–26 season, potentially stepping into a starting role from day one. His combination of size, mobility, and scoring instincts could allow Young to experiment with new offensive schemes and elevate the Hokies’ defensive ceiling.
With this commitment, Virginia Tech’s recruiting class vaults into the national top 15 — and perhaps more importantly, signals that the Hokies are not just participating in the ACC arms race, but are ready to win it.
