Even though he made his decision the summer before his junior season and had time to change his mind and consider other schools, Devante Smith said he never wavered in his commitment to Virginia Tech.
“I always knew where I wanted to go,” the Stonewall Jackson High School senior said.
Smith made it official Wednesday morning when he signed his National Letter of Intent with the Hokies at home right after 7 a.m., the earliest high school seniors can do so on the first day of the signing period. He then faxed the paperwork to Virginia Tech when he arrived at school that morning.
A three-star recruited rated the No. 22 best prospect in Virginia for the class of 2017 by Rivals, Smith will hold a ceremony with his family and friends Wednesday night at 6 p.m. at the Old Towne Sports Pub in Manassas to commemorate the occasion.
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Smith is the fourth Stonewall Jackson player headed to Virginia Tech since 2014. He will join Reggie Floyd, Tim Settle and Greg Stroman.
The Stonewall-to-Virginia Tech pipeline factored a little into his decision as he heard former Raider players speak well of the Hokies’ program. But Smith liked the overall atmosphere as well.
“It was a big family,” Smith said.
Smith was the Hokies’ first commitment for the class of 2017 when he announced his decision July 20, 2015. Virginia Tech was Smith’s first offer, which he picked up June 14 at a one-day Virginia Tech recruiting camp.
Smith said the Hokies became aware of him after Stonewall defensive backs coach Robert McKinney sent film on Smith to Virginia Tech. The Hokies then invited Smith to the camp.
He later picked up an offer from Marshall, but remained firm in his commitment to Virginia Tech. Smith was recruited as a defensive back, but he said he might see time on offense.
“I can’t wait to get down there,” Smith said.
Smith’s senior season didn’t work out the way he planned. As the starting quarterback, he suffered a partial tear of his ACL in Stonewall’s first regular-season game on a run and then tore the ACL completely on another run in the Raiders’ second game that ended his high school football career.
Smith continues to rehab, but is showing rapid improvement.
He was a four-year member of Stonewall’s varsity.
