In the process of putting together its recruiting class for 2008, the Virginia Tech football staff has made one more move for 2007.

Meanwhile, Virginia has taken its 10th commitment from an out-of-state prospect for 2008, but this one has an in-state connection.

The latest addition to the Cavalier fold is Corey Lewis, a 6-foot-6 ¹₂, 285-pound offensive lineman from East Stroudsburg, Pa., who spent his first two years of high school at Christchurch on Virginia's Northern Neck.

"I got to see the whole process with J'Courtney Williams last spring and was really impressed with the way Coach [Mike] London went about recruiting him," said Lewis, targeted by the Cavaliers as the possible heir to Eugene Monroe at left tackle. "I was still kind of new to football at that point."

Williams, a SuperPrep All-American linebacker, signed with the Cavaliers in February. UVa is also recruiting another of Lewis' former Christchurch teammates, wide receiver Deion Walker.

At Tech, a scholarship opened when February signee Quillie Odom failed to meet NCAA eligibility guidelines. With Odom headed to Hargrave Military Academy, Tech went forward with an offer to wide receiver Ervin Garner from Oakton High School.

Garner, a 5-9, 175-pounder with return skills, has been compared to current Hokies wide receiver Eddie Royal.

"In our area, it's been easy to make those comparisons because Eddie and Ervin played in the same district," Oakton coach Joe Thompson said. "Ervin is real fast, very polished as a receiver and dangerous as a return man. Eddie is stronger."

Thompson said Garner scored 14 touchdowns last season -- six on receptions, five on returns and three on defense. Garner had receptions for 52 and 61 yards Saturday night in a "Best of the Best" all-star game pitting Northern Region teams.

Garner committed to Division I-AA Towson until Towson got in a scholarship squeeze. Garner was the odd man out because he was a late qualifier, but the timing was right for Tech because of the Odom situation.

More recruiting

Florida State has received an oral commitment from E.J. Manuel, a 6-foot-5, 200-pound quarterback from Bayside High School in Virginia Beach who has received growing consideration as the top football prospect in the state.

Manuel was rated No. 1 by Virginia Preps in its recent rankings that included a top five of No. 2 Vinston Painter, an offensive tackle from Maury in Norfolk; Deion Walker at No. 3; running back Ryan Williams from Stonewall Jackson in Manassas at No. 4; and quarterback Mike Glennon from Centreville at No. 5.

Directors' Cup

Virginia finished 13th in the Directors' Cup rankings of the nation's top athletic programs. That was a substantial improvement over last year's 26th-place showing but the Cavaliers were unable to crack the top 10, which they accomplished for the first and only time when they were ninth in 1999.

Virginia Tech dropped from 45th in 2006, its previous best, to 48th. That was 10th among ACC teams, ahead of Tech's fellow former Big East members, No. 58 Boston College and No. 59 Miami.

n In Division III, Washington and Lee jumped from 32nd to 27th, its second-best finish, and Roanoke was 106th, third among ODAC teams behind W&L and Virginia Wesleyan.

Changes

Former Cave Spring tight end David Redick has given up football because of chronic foot problems, his father, Ken Redick, said. David Redick, younger brother of former Cave Spring and Duke basketball star J.J. Redick, was redshirted last season as a scholarship freshman at Marshall.

Opportunity

James Benton of Charlotte, N.C., is holding a basketball workout from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on June 30 for 2007 seniors and juniors in high school who want to increase their exposure.

For more information, call the Benton Basketball Dynasty at 1-704-906-3673.