Devon Hunter announced his verbal commitment to the Hokies Friday night. Hunter picked Virginia Tech over finalists Alabama, Florida, Auburn, North Carolina, and Mississippi along with a who's who of Power Five offers. The 247Sports Composite rates the 6-1, 205 pound Indian River HS senior as a 4-star safety, No. 2 recruit in Virginia, and the No. 45 player nationally for the 2017 cycle.
He'll be a Hokie. pic.twitter.com/iRrsvuv6OW— 757Teamz (@757teamz) January 21, 2017
Devon Hunter speaking with @JamiVP about his decision to pick Virginia Tech pic.twitter.com/iBvGIBh2qx— Brian SaundersII (@SportsWriter_BS) January 21, 2017
The Hokies pursued Hunter over the long haul. The Frank Beamer regime hosted Hunter as an eighth grader at a camp, and Beamer Co. offered him as a rising sophomore. Justin Fuente and staff were able to skillfully mitigate the departure of Bryan Stinespring and Torrian Gray (his former primary recruiters), and a reported late push by Auburn, to land the 757 blue-chip's verbal.
"I know I'm probably one of the most important recruits in the history of Virginia Tech, so if I were to commit there, it would be big," Hunter recently told Bleacher Report. "That's one thing I really like about Virginia Tech—the effect I would make."
Virginia Tech successfully sold the importance of Hunter staying home and the impact he could make on the program's future. Furthermore, over the past year Tech's pulled out all the stops during Hunter's recruitment. Kam Chancellor, Hunter's favorite NFL player, has repeatedly lobbied for the Hokies and was present at his announcement. DeAngelo Hall has also thrown down for Tech.
Congrats to @devonhunter11... the future for VT is looking Amazing.. #LetsGo pic.twitter.com/gb4jzocnGW— The Enforcer (@Kam_Chancellor) January 21, 2017
@devonhunter11 I see va tech in your future .. Congrats on everything. You just touching the surface. Take off. Represent the 757— The Enforcer (@Kam_Chancellor) February 26, 2016
Looking forward to seeing where @devonhunter11 will decide to spend his next chapter of life!!!! #BigDayTomorrow — The Enforcer (@Kam_Chancellor) January 19, 2017
@devonhunter11 @Kam_Chancellor you and I know where he belongs!!!!!!!! — OG aka CAPTAIN 23 (@DeAngeloHall23) January 20, 2017
On top of having two former Tech defensive back greats and high-earning NFL players showing him love, Virginia Tech made an all-time savvy recruiting move and let Hunter reveal the Hokies' special edition Battle at Bristol uniforms during an unofficial visit.
HokieNation nothing but LoveYou Ready #BattleAtBristol #ThisIsHome pic.twitter.com/HxpG7PGeYD— 7 Hunter (@devonhunter11) August 20, 2016
#TBT #Statement17 pic.twitter.com/shCh8QZWWu— Justin Fuente (@CoachFuente) January 19, 2017
757 comrades DeShawn McClease, Trevon Hill, and Tavante Beckett also played a role in coaxing Hunter to Blacksburg.
Perception does not change overnight. However, for a Virginia Tech program that's landed only two other top-five in-state recruits (Holland Fisher, Tim Settle) since the 2013 cycle, it's most certainly a step in the right direction for the Hokies and Fuente era on the recruiting trail.
Comments
Feels so good
Wow, it's been a long time for me to sit on that. So excited that he's part of Hokie Nation.
I'm curious - how long has this been a done deal? And was it really as done of a deal as everyone said, or was it just a strong likelihood?
I won't say exactly when I knew so I don't have any chance of exposing who it is, but it's been at least a month and a half.
All good, bud. Don't want you to spill your #sauces. Just curious about how long this one had been #marinating. Thanks!
Try us. How long has this been breaking news?
Hell yeah.
FAM
Did anyone actually watch the commitment? It was the most badass thing I have ever seen.
Shoutouts to random Tech fan with HUNTER shaved into the side of his head.
Could someone perhaps be my savior and link a video? I thought they said around 8 pm but clearly that was a bit off. I'd like to see the video if possible
Seconded. I was watching and my feed froze up just before the goodness.
I'd like to see it too. tried to view it on mobile, didn't work
https://www.google.com/amp/wtkr.com/2017/01/20/devon-hunter-set-to-annou...
Here's a link
Haha, that was awesome, I went to the maxpreps page a couple minutes too late. LOVE that he used Enter Sandman and looked legitimately excited to commit to the HOKIES...now if only there was something we could do about the crazy guy afterwards...
That man is everywhere! He was right next to me screaming his head off while the players walked into the Battle at Bristol and he was on the jumbotron multiple times during the season. He's certainly...passionate.
...he is a grown man? or relatively the same age?
He's a grown man
HE'S FORTY!!!
He sat a few rows over from me at Duke and the Belk Bowl this year. He's certainly very passionate.
Yeah I'd never seen him before this year, but I noticed him multiple times this season in my section, within a few rows of the field- Duke, Belk Bowl, several home games. Passionate is one word...
Ran into him at the team walk before the ACC Championship game. He was with his family (?) and they were... not well behaved. Yelled cuss words at any Clemson fan they saw, were already convinced that the ACC was "fucking us over because they want the Tigers in the playoffs" and that he knew the refs would make us lose in some manner.
Also tried to claim that Evans was the best quarterback in the country, Virginia Tech should make the playoffs if we somehow beat Clemson, and that Dabo isn't capable of winning a championship.
Walked away from that interaction just stunned that those fans exist and somehow don't feel embarrassed.
I hope this guy reads these comments, he needs to tone it the fuck down.
Harvey Updyke
So its settled then...
All in favor of revoking his fandom say "I".
Can I say "aye" instead?
Neigh
Legged. Thank you!
Thank you kind sir!
Video Link.
YES FAM!!!
I'm not even going to tuck this one in the waistband. WOOOOO DAMN DAWG!
LETS GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.
HOKIES!!!
Fuente still can't recruit! -No Hokie fan ever after tonight!
Feels good to not have to hide that anymore!!!
We definitely couldn't tell that you knew.
/s
I'm terrible with secrets!!! I don't know why my #sauces trust me
so who's next
Lmao. I missed the whole damn live video of the commitment, but saw the celebration on here. Awesome day in HokieNation.
so where is part 2 of your prediction?
eta?
Enjoy this a bit first!! Don't be greedy. Depends on if he wants to share the lime light. If nothing else it will happen during the OV. I've been something tonight though
... but, but.... but I wanna break the internet nooooooooooooooooooooow
YYAAAAASSSSS Biiiitch! Slay!
Okay BAG, what else is happening tonight?!?
Holy shit, I can't believe Kam came to the game. He had no choice but to commit or get destroyed
Depends on if he wants to share the lime light. If nothing else it will happen during the OV. I'm pretty confident it happens tonight
You beautiful bastard. I know I doubted but I'm telling you from hence forth, crootin' is BAG business.
Forgive me, but what is "OV"? I'm drawing a blank.
Do you even recruit, bro?
Official Visit
Ohhhh man. Duhhhh! Been a long day!
Somebody skipped leg day, obviously.
Official visit
It's a visit that is official
Who are we expecting to hear from possibly tonight? Garbutt?
Yeah!
LIT AF FAM
Me yelling right now!
...aaaannnnd this just got a whole lot more disturbing:
And then you got the joke...
Leg for you krak_t
It was the best of times... I learned my lesson, I'll skip the rest...
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO /rickflair
lol he didn't even announce he was coming to VT...
He had them play Enter Sandman and ripped off his jacket to show him wearing a VT shirt. Yup. that's awesome... Of course the fan who I believe runs the Fuente Football twitter account then proceeded to mug all over him during the event... sooooo... *sigh*
That's not him. Fuente Football was sitting next to the super-fan.
ahh i figured one in the same.... cuz if you run that account and you arent affiliated with the school........
Neat.
via GIPHY
well, I could watch this all night.
just trying to do my part in popularizing Hannah Simone gifs on TKP
via GIPHY
I hear ya
[ mod edit: no ]
Mod edit in 3... 2... 1...
Do I even want to know?
I sure do...
Scantily clad woman executing a sultry movement (in gif format).
Oh. I'm actually sad I missed that. I figured shit got political again.
Did not realize that's a foul! My bad.
I assume DH and Bam Bam are already in the car on the way to Blacksburg to get all these other croots' heads right.
Fucking excellent news, Fam!!!
got heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeemmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
#HokieNation just got another goon .... hmph — Teradja Mitchell (@WhosThatNumber7)
Asaaahhhhhhh
Let the party begin baby!!!! HOOOOOKKKKIIIIEESSS!!!!
My new favorite... I have but one leg to give and for that I'm sorry.
Absolutely monumental for VT recruiting. Don't think this can be overstated.
I have a feeling these next couple of months is going to be like:
Said he's recruiting Laborn, Dazz, and Jordan Williams. FAM we're just getting started.
via GIPHY
I live for these gifs on here!
TC! This is strong gif work
Holy fucking shiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit!!!!!!!
Guys, just for a second, compare where we were a year ago as a program with today. Fuente has completely rejuvenated VT football, and I think we are about to ascend to all new heights. Absolutely huge recruiting win. Welcome aboard, Mr. Hunter!! Can't wait to watch you play in Lane!
WAHOOOOOOOOOS COME OUT TO PLAYAYAYAYAYAYAY
I loved the reference and started to laugh, but then remembered that Luther gets totally fucked up the Gramercy Riffs at the end.
I'd rather be the Gramercy Riffs...
And of course, the obligatory
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GT_2K4ddG7g
via GIPHY
New favorite gif
Question:
Who in the hell is the guy in the #27 jersey?
Superfan extrordinaire.... Per Twitter drove into town with Hunters name shaved and painted into his head....
Yep
Oh, the kind of guy that tweets at recruits. Got it.
The kind who would call into a radio show going PAAAAWWWWWL
*face palm gif*
That's weird. I could imagine him telling me about this around the water cooler on Monday and my response would be "Cool story bro."
Devon's dad be lookin over at him like "wtf"
Jarrett Ferguson.
Classic, START JUMPIN'
(Thanks, Kam!)
One more minor correction: text should read IT HAPPENED!!!
Can we get a restraining order on #27 until the financial aid paperwork clears at least
He said he's already trying to lure some others to join him on the Hokies commit list.
"I've been working on (Clemson four-star defensive end commit) Jordan Williams, Dazz Newsome and (Florida State running back commit) Khalan Laborn," Hunter said. "Khalan maybe hard but with Cam Akers going there he may change his mind."
There... there just aren't the words.
He's totally Mook'ing up this recruiting cycle for other schools
I am in favor of calling any flipping of recruits to VT after you have committed be called Mooking.
He is our recruiter Emeritus . I know others have come before him, but I can't remember anyone more vocal about their VT love before they set foot on campus.
I just caught this on Twitter, here's video if people are interested!
Please tell me that dude who jumps in next to him halfway through is somebody he knows and not the random "super fan" some people were talking about earlier
It was the super fan.....
I just can't even fathom somebody doing that. Not quite making an unwanted toast at someone's wedding but in that ballpark. Makes me cringe so hard at what was otherwise the most epic recruiting announcement I've ever seen.
Who cares!? Read above: the dude shaved Hunters' name in the side of his head. FAM LIT!
You're a mod. That's your job. Well, that and being a doctor.
Just don't think shoving a kid's family out of the way to take center stage with him during a big moment in his life when you're a complete stranger is a good look, but to each his own.
I view it as he was celebrating and enhancing the attention focused on Hunter, not detracting or stealing from it. If he really is "a complete stranger fan person" and the family felt slighted, harassed, etc., then they can do what most celebrities do and summon up a good ol cease et desist restraining order. Bam. There. Problem solved. But if he's not any of those things, then, as you say, to each their own. Me personally I'm not focused on the dude. My focus is on Hunter. Sure, I noticed the dude, but it didn't detract my attention away from the main thing. Upon a closer inspection and repeated playback of the vid, it almost looks like Hunter pulled the guy up front with him. The rest of the fam/relatives were busy recording with their mobile devices.
He should have grabbed the mic and started singing Enter Sandman. /s
Literally almost cried watching it again.
My only wish is that some folks would have started a DBU! DBU chant during Sandman and someone hand him a DBU shirt (like the one I got this Christmas from TKP). That probably would've caused a sun from a different solar system to explode into a Super Nova.
Loved him playing enter sandman as he picked
As an E-5, I personally requested this F22 flyby for you Hunter
A gif just does not work with an F-22
I work next to the flight line and I'm a smoker. Every day is a F22 gif...
Just saying that it doesn't give the aircraft justice. It looks so slow in a gif!
I was going to make a joke about how an F-35 gif would be better but turns out those gifs are over budget and behind schedule.
this deserves more legs.
WTFFFF THESE MAC COACHES JUST CAN'T CLO----
wait what
Only thing I'm mildly upset about (and somebody please help), is the lack of Emma Watson gifs celebrating this monumental occasion.
I would myself, but not very gif savvy.
Other than that, I'm on my 3rd Makers on the rocks. Go Hokies!
via GIPHY
Ugh, celebrating on a budget tonight. Will shotgun a beer and have a bourbon and ginger with Mattingly and Moore. :(
Why would you shoot a beer with a s shotgun?
/S
via GIPHY
A leg for asking.
Aaaaaannnd just like that we have the number 21 recruiting class in the nation...we were number 29 about an hour ago...I wonder what changed?
Ya know, I don't...can't really fathom or put it together why....
Yea and 247 has us at #12 right now.
Can't be right. We aren't even supposed to sniff top 15.
Maybe you can help me understand as Ive been wondering about this. On 247 sports i see a large 21 next to our national recruiting class ranking then a little 12 in a grey square under that. Is 12 another affiliate sites opinion or something? I feel like ive heard of 247 composite is that what that little number is? If so, whats the difference?
21 is their composite score, which accounts for several recruiting sites' evaluations.
12 is 24/7's own score.
Ahhh, thanks!! Been wondering about this for months. And great gatsby #12?! thats awesome!!!
Asahhhhhh!!!!!!!!
Yes!
This is huge. Getting a big time recruit like this, from the state of Virginia, after Fuente's first year is awesome. A statement really need to be made this recruiting year.
I can't wait to see what happens from now until signing day. I really want to see this other big commit!
Hunter down.
Watts is next.
Then Rivers!!!!!?????!!! I swear #STATEMENT17 class is pure FIRE!!!!! My hat is off to these coaches!
via GIPHY
Noice....11 days.
How messed up had it gotten?
Coach Fu is really trying to make it so we can never let him go. C'mon other croots, jump on the hype train...CHOOO CHOOOO
Alright guys, standing out here on the weather decks freezing my hands off catching up on all the DH threads. Not disappointed. Go get some more, and I'll see you in August.
This is big. Now time to put in the work in the offseason and reverse our fortunes in FedEx and retain another trophy.
Going to need another Devon Hunter commit thread...
This thread is fine.
The effort to land Hunter is exactly what I have in mind when I "send the house" in ncaa football.
Very well done by Fuente and Co. Welcome to Hokie Nation!
In-state Hokies putting in work on the recruiting front for 5* ILB Terajda Mitchell
Did anyone read his comments about going now to croot others....
Laborn is big on his list, but hes going to work him. Maybe since fsu picked up another back, it would help in getting laborn back in state
That'd be sweet but I'd be surprised if it happened. I believe Laborn is on his official to FSU this weekend?
For some reason I think we have a better chance with Williams. He grew up a VT fan
Almost no chance with Laborn and Williams. Unfortunately.
I've never seen this one, truly amazing.
Woulda made the movie a whole lot simpler and a whole lot more entertaining.
Congrats young man. Nice to NOT see a Klumpson hat there. Go Hokies!!
Wouldn't this be the icing on the cake / ice cream on the pie!
Or just the cake and pie flavored milkshake.
Yep, I'd settle for a Peppermint Milkshake Pie from Chick-Fil-A. That's actually a real thing, sigh.
https://thechickenwire.chick-fil-a.com/Food/Recipe-Peppermint-Milkshake-Pie
I know I have VT colored glasses, but I think it would be difficult to find a lot of bad things to say about the current state of VT football.
Hunter said that a lot of other coaches talked bad about VT. I wonder what their negative pitch is and if all of the coaches were downing the other programs in competition or if the negative recruiting was focused mostly on VT
This is why, despite our rebuilding, we have to keep stringing together success. Prior to this year, opponents could negatively recruit against Beamer's age. Now, the blue bloods recruit that VT is "small time".
A few years ago, they were doing that against Clemson too. Success changes everything.
What a wimp Hogan is. He's actually drinking his beer instead of pouring it vaguely at his face.
...and look how small The Rock is...wonder if he took anything to get as big as he is now? /s
Oh yeah he is tiny...
I'm very ok with this.
Only one year?????
Yeah that seemed odd.
Bet you it should have been "my first year."
Let's hope so. Not sure what else he could do in his sophomore year anyways besides play
That's what it was.
He also said he'd be spending his next "3 or 4 years" at VT during his announcement.
http://virginiatech.247sports.com/Bolt/Burden-burning-up-the-recruiting-...
Hopefully, I'm not hijacking this thread although there is a lot of cross-over relevance. Zohn was also involved in recruiting Labron, Jordan Williams, and Dazz. Hunter expressed last night that he has been trying to flip them. I assume the ship has sailed on both (maybe Dazz, maybe not) but anyone want to take odds on either be this yet to be identified secret commit?
Edit: Much thanks to Zohn, he is obviously proving to be a solid recruiter.
At this point I would say that calling him a solid recruiter is underselling what he's meaning to us right now. He is already one of the best recruiters we've ever had on campus and we need to do whatever we can to keep him around. I hope we are looking to increase his salary and further build him out a recruiting staff to capitalize on his abilities.
Hopefully with all this success the Hokie Club will grow.
have a feeling he would like to switch back to WRs as well.
He's not only replaced Moorehead, but exceeded him. Truly a great hire by Beamer and retainment by Fuente.
...and that's when my drinking problem started...
Fuente signal up