Class of '23 Recruiting Profiles: Chance Fitzgerald

Despite some late pushes from some of the most premier programs in the sport such as Auburn and Oklahoma State, Chance Fitzgerald, a wide receiver from Nolensville, Tenn., is a massive get for Virginia Tech. Committing with the Hokies on December 16th and then signing his NLI five days later on National Signing Day, Fitzgerald, a 6”3” 184 lbs. pass catcher, is ranked as a 4-star recruit and ranked 6th in the state of Tennessee by 247Sports.com.

Fitzgerald's recruitment was one that started off slow but then blew up near signing day, and then turned into an all out sprint to the finish. Offensive Recruiter and Wide Receivers Coach Fontel Mines and the Hokies offered him on October 11th, but his first P-5 offer was Kentucky at the tail end of 2020. Chance then started getting major looks during his senior season, and received offers from Michigan, Michigan State, Oklahoma State, Auburn, Pitt, Minnesota as well as others.

He visited Minnesota, Oklahoma State, and Virginia Tech officially in that order. His Tech OV was on December 3rd, 2022.

Fitzgerald played his high school ball at Nolensville High in Tennessee, which plays in a star studded 5A class. His team went a perfect 10-0 in the regular season and won 2 games in the playoffs, but lost to Page High School in the quarterfinals. The coaching staff, his teammates, and players in the region were also stacked with depth: Nolensville's head coach, Paul Derrick, was a wide receiver for Kentucky before heading to Austin Peay, where he coached the Governors' running backs and then began coaching in Nolensville. Fitzgerald’s teammate, Taylor Wein, is a Rivals 4-star edge rusher who committed to Oklahoma. Fellow VT pass catching commit Ayden Greene also played in the same region at Powell High, and 2024 LB target Steven Soles plays for Powell too.

Fitzgerald can be any type of receiver, whether that's slot or wideout. His intangibles have those of an elite jump ball specialist, but as seen in his tape, he can explode past those defending him. Like being as strong as an ox, he is a big bodied receiver, and he has the tools to blossom into a solid wideout. He has the physical traits and talent needed for a productive collegiate career.

Fitzgerald joins a loaded VT wideout class, so reps will not come easy for Chance when he arrives in Blacksburg this summer. He reminds me a lot of VT record holder and former wide receiver Isaiah Ford with his speed and jump-out-of-the-gym athleticism. Time will tell how his career goes, but I believe he will be a name Hokies far and wide will be talking about in the coming years.

His HUDL: Chance Fitzgerald - Hudl