It doesn't get any more official than this.
This is according to a SBNation.com report by Bud Elliott.
Kendall Fuller, a top cornerback recruit out of Olney (Md.) Our Lady of Good Counsel High School, committed to the Virginia Tech Hokies over the Clemson Tigers Sunday during the final round of ESPN's Gridiron Kings competition.
Rivals.com rates Fuller as the number one cornerback in the country, top player in Maryland, and third best player nationally. Fuller is Tech's first 5-star commitment since Tyrod Taylor in 2007.
Image via TechSideline.com.
Kendall had previously announced he would hold off on committing until the Army All-American Bowl, played at the end of the year. However, he recently narrowed his choices to Virginia Tech and Clemson, at one time he was seriously considering Michigan. The finalists each recently received an unofficial visit, Tech two weekends ago, Clemson last weekend. Late Friday morning Fuller tweeted he'd be making his decision today.
I will be making my college decision sunday at noon live on ESPN3 at #GridironKings which will be replayed Sunday at 7:00 on #ESPNU— kendall fuller (@KENyoufeelmee) July 27, 2012
In addition to producing topnotch defensive backs, Tech had the family connection. Older brothers Kyle and Corey are currently on the team, oldest brother Vincent played from 2001-04. That mattered.
Fuller's brothers play at Virginia Tech and I asked him about how that impacts his recruitment.
"It matters. I've had my brothers go through there, see how they developed, and what they say about it. I know they're honest with me about it and I know what I'm going to get at Virginia Tech," Fuller said.
At Gridiron Kings Fuller spoke about his then upcoming decision with 247Sports.
In the end, the benefits of attending Tech outweighed Clemson's recent emergence as an ACC power and Fuller's Good Counsel teammate Dorian O'Daniel committing there in April.
His highlights justify his hype. He's a blanket in coverage, consistenly locates, and makes a play on the ball. He sheds blockers, and makes tackles in the open field. Returning kicks, and catching touchdown passes are a bonus.
Welcome to HokieNation Kendall!
Comments
BOOOOOOOOOOOM
GOT EM!!!!!!!!!!!!
giggity
Excellent
Congratulations and welcome!
Now officially official.
#ALLOFTHEFULLERS.
YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!
So much impact
Beyond just getting the best corner in the nation should help big time with Wyatt Teller. Also I'd imagine should help keep Holland Fisher committed even w/ Saban lurking.
He'll fill the void nicely, when Kyle goes pro next year
Let us extend an official welcome to the Hokie family, to the next clutch CB, Kendall Fuller!
At his chalk talk Foster said he believed Kendall would commit to Tech and Kyle would stay the extra year to play with his brother. It's a long time away, and a lot of things can happen but it is worth mentioning.
That'd be awesome!
Kyle as whip or nickel back, Kendall as boundary or field corner!
That's what I thought
Thats what I thought would happen. I know Kyle has been saying he wanted to play with his younger brother at VT, I can't imagine he would change his mind now that it's a very distinct possibility. The one thing I was wondering about is how does Kendall figure into our scheme with true freshman Donaldven Manning looking likely to start opposite Kyle for this upcoming season? Will he be okay starting Field or Boundary for one year then taking a back seat for the next? Or would Bud switch to more nickel looks to get them all incorporated? Also very possible to have Kyle play whip, I guess, but I feel like that is underutilizing him to a very high degree.
Kendall said he wants to play across from Kyle. Now that we have Kendall on board, I would be shocked if Kyle leaves a year early (even if he's a projected 1st rounder).
And ALL of the people say
AMEN!!!!
It's nice to win one recruiting battle
As it seems VT is always the loser when it comes down to 2-3 schools and the blue-chip is to announce in a national audience. It also looks good, as Kendall will probably become a big recruiter for the last few recruits in 2013 and, more importantly, in 2014. Doubt VT gets Green or Teller, but maybe Kendall can influence them VT's way.
Quotes from ESPN
Entire article is here: http://insider.espn.go.com/blog/ncfrecruiting/on-the-trail/post?id=17216.
my screenname says it all
DBU!
Glad it is over
So I tune into ESPN 3 on the Google TV and it is halftime. Tweets rolling in that Kendall committed to Hokies. Did not see anything on the broadcast. Trying to get the toddler to nap and the volume on the broadcast is super low so I jack it up. Commercials come on and it is deafening. Halftime over and still nothing. Then they say Kendall's decision is up next. As you can see from the photo at the top I saw that orange shirt underneath and thought he was gonna pull that off ans do a Corso on us. Thank you Kendall for coming to Blacksburg!
I don't feel like, even if he had chosen Clemson, he would pull that shit, since it would be a *huge* diss to his brothers (even if they did know his decision in advance)
Looks like Kyle Fuller is coming back.
Boom.
In GIF form
Fireball
This reminds me of when Cornell Brown announced his decision with the words, "I will be going to the University of Virginia...Tech." Just delightful.
First thoughts on Fuller. Outstanding closing speed and baits throws. In the first highlight on this reel: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHuWiuTDhd0 he retreats like cover three. The QB reads cover three and throws the short curl route. The difference, Fuller continues his backpeddle until the QB starts to raise up to throw, not on the snap. He still explodes on the ball, looking at the QB the whole way. He also doesn’t run through the receiver to make the play (a common mistake resulting in a pass interference) and he attacks the ball with his hands.
On the 4th play, he is playing a deep third (similar to the Hokies robber or 4-4 G) where it looks like man, but he is watching the QB. When the QB throws to the seam, Fuller comes off his guy to make the play. That shows good familiarity with the strength of the Hokies coverage system.
He has excellent awareness on screens, and looks like a willing hitter and good fundamental tackler. He needs work on taking on blocks. He is slow to utilize violent hand motion to get off blocks and waits on the blocker to come to him.
He looks very athletic on offense. Great running stride with a little juke (he looks more like a star running back on the end around and punt return than Michael Holmes whole film.) He also made some great leaping catches. Two way candidate? Hmmmm.
Other positives: He practiced against Stefon Diggs everyday, so we know he went against top caliber talent. He looks like a bigger stronger version of Jayron, although there was more O than D on the film to look at.
This is great news
Last 5 star DB we had was Macho, and I remember how excited I was. I am about 5 times more excited about Fuller. His film is excellent and I think Torrian Gray will have him ready to play right away.
Every time Kendall Fuller picks off a Clemson QB will result in me =
GIFSoup
And maybe some day, he will become a Million Dollar Man of his own