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Five-star safety Devon Hunter committed to Virginia Tech on Friday evening. Hunter is the nation’s top safety.

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Justin Fuente hinted to it on Thursday, and one day later 5-star safety Devon Hunter made it official by committing to the Virginia Tech Hokies on Friday evening.

Hunter is ranked as the nation’s No. 1 safety and No. 7 overall player. He also marks the first No. 1 recruit out of the state of Virginia to attend Virginia Tech since Tyrod Taylor in 2007. If there were any remaining questions regarding the amount of enthusiasm Fuente has injected into this Virginia Tech program, Hunter’s commitment should put them to rest. It’s simply more momentum for the Hokies coach following an inaugural campaign in which he guided the program to a 10-4 record and ACC Coastal Division title.

Defensive coordinator Bud Foster might already be in the lab diagramming plays for Hunter, who is expected to come in and make an impact from Day 1. Virginia Tech beat out the likes of Alabama, Auburn, Florida, North Carolina and Ole Miss, with the Gators presenting the largest challenge. Hunter was heavily pursued by Florida defensive backs coach Torrian Gray, himself a former Hokie safety and VT position coach, but ultimately decided on staying home.

Virginia Tech now has 20 commits in its 2017 class, with Hunter undeniably being the crown jewel of the lot.

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