2026 4-star WR Carnell Warren commits to Virginia Tech: ‘It’s what I want to be a part of’

Bluffton (S.C.) four-star wide receiver Carnell Warren received an offer from Virginia Tech during the spring of his sophomore year. The Hokies offering Warren that early “played a huge role” in his recruitment. 

Virginia Tech reaches out to the 6-foot-3, 190-pound wideout almost every day and he communicates with head coach Brent Pry “a lot.” Warren visited the Hokies for games this season against Marshall on Sept. 7 and Clemson on Nov. 9. 

Following Virginia Tech’s game against the Tigers, Warren knew he wanted to commit to the Hokies and told Pry the good news on the morning of Nov. 10. He officially announced his pledge to join Virginia Tech’s 2026 recruiting class at the Under Armour All-America Game. 

“I went up there for the Marshall game,” Warren told On3. “It was a really good game and I also went up in the summer for a camp. Those two visits, they opened my eyes and I really had good love for Virginia Tech. Then on the Clemson weekend, I stayed until Sunday, saw everything and went around. I knew that was where I wanted to be after that.” 

Warren chose the Hokies after receiving around 15 offers from programs including Cincinnati, Duke and Wake Forest. Virginia Tech won out for the No. 5 player in South Carolina for multiple reasons.

“The first one is the love that they show and what they tell me,” said Warren, the No. 185 overall prospect and No. 23 wide receiver in the 2026 On300. “From the start, they kept recruiting me and let me know how things were going to be there. No. 2, Virginia Tech is in a really good town. The academics are top-tier at Virginia Tech… Third, ACC football is almost top-tier football, so I’d love to play in the ACC on Saturdays.” 

Warren is feeling good about Virginia Tech’s future under Pry

Warren has built a close relationship with Pry throughout his recruitment. He is excited to play for Virginia Tech’s head man in Blacksburg. 

“Coach Pry is a really good dude,” Warren said. “The program is not where it wants to be right now, but coach Pry is working to change things. They just had a really good recruiting class on Signing Day. It was really good for them. I can see what coach Pry is doing there and I like what he’s trying to do to get the program right.”

“As I’ve been there, I can see what coach Pry wants to do with the program,” he added. “Him telling me what he’s trying to do and where his focus is made me think everything through and it’s what I want to be a part of.” 

Warren also has good connections with multiple members of the Hokies’ staff, including special teams coordinator/tight ends coach Stu Holt, assistant head coach/wide receivers coach Fontel Mines and stars/nickels coach Shawn Quinn. Holt reaches out to Warren “the most” and speaks with his mother. The four-star and Holt also spent time together when he attended a Virginia Tech camp in the summer. 

Warren talks with Mines “a lot” and got to know Quinn because Quinn is the coach responsible for recruiting the area where he lives. He shared that Quinn “told everybody” at the ACC program about him. 

The game day atmosphere at Lane Stadium is another factor that played a role in Warren’s decision. He is excited to play there on fall weekends in the future, as well as spend time in Blacksburg. 

“During any big game, it is hyped up there,” Warren said. “You can barely hear anything during a play sometimes. The atmosphere is something I’d most definitely love to play in one day. It is probably one of the best atmospheres that I’ve ever been around on a game day. 

“Then, going around on a normal day on a visit outside of Virginia Tech and football, everybody shows love in the town and everybody’s bought in as a whole. That’s something that is a really good part of a college town.”