One of, if not the, most sought-after Central Region student-athletes ended his recruitment Sunday at 1 p.m.
Deep Run football star Antone Exum cast his lot with Virginia Tech. The 6-1, 205-pound safety/quarterback chose the Hokies over Penn State.
The Nittany Lions and Hokies had been all around Deep Run’s campus trying to secure Exum’s commitment, but Tech recruiting coordinator Jim Cavanaugh, head coach Frank Beamer and position opportunity won out over the Pennsylvania school.
“It’s time in my life to move on with my football career and I’m just excited to be a Hokie,” said Exum, who will focus on football but may have a shot to moonlight on the basketball team as well. “Both of the schools are very good universities and institutions and that’s why those were my final two.
“What really separated Virginia Tech was that I was more comfortable with the positions that they wanted me to play.”
Exum will get a look at quarterback, cornerback and/or safety.
With Tech only having two scholarship QBs returning in incumbent Tyrod Taylor and redshirt freshman Ju-Ju Clayton, a former Hermitage star and DigitalSports player of the year in 2007-08, Exum could come into play under center or in the Wild Turkey formation with his terrific running ability.
VT’s ridiculous history with defensive backs had to also be a big recruiting chip for Exum, who’s measureables are off the charts as a defender.
Seeing guys like former Highland Springs star Macho Harris become a national star and projected as a first-day NFL pick didn’t hurt.
“I work hard for everything that I’ve achieved and want to achieve in high school,” Exum said. “Now taking it to the next level in college, I know I’m going to have to work even harder, because I know everybody out there is trying to get that edge.”
– Stephen M. Lewis
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