By Matt Jones, sports editor

Four star cornerback Donaldven Manning

The 2012 football recruiting class saw it’s first members hit campus today, as Donaldven Manning (pronounced Donovan), JC Coleman and Dewayne Alford all begin their Virginia Tech careers.

Rivals.com ranks Coleman, a state champion at Oscar Smith High School in Chesapeake, Va., the No. 4 all-purpose back in the nation. He rushed for 1,488 yards and 20 touchdowns as a senior. At 5-foot-7, 169 pounds, Coleman isn’t a typical Hokies running back, but he figures to challenge for playing time in the fall.

Alford, a member of the 2011 recruiting class, deferred his enrollment to this semester. He projects as a defensive end, but still needs to add weight to see significant playing time down the line.

Manning, possibly the most sought-after recruit the Hokies landed in the class of 2012, is a 4-star cornerback from Miami, FL. With other offers from Alabama, LSU, Florida State and others, Manning will join secondary coach Torian Gray’s unit that has consistently risen to the occasion.

Here is some film on the three players:

Manning

Alford

Coleman

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Photo courtesy Rivals.com