Here's the quick story:
https://virginiatech.rivals.com/news/devon-hunter-has-five-finalists
...and here's a bit more:
Hunter has given Virginia Tech's coaching staff every indication that a strong season would see him end up becoming a member of their program. He plans to take his official visit the same weekend as the majority of the 2017 pledges - rather than during the season, when he wouldn't be able to get as much personalize attention from fellow recruits and the staff. That's right in line with what board insider @dm4vtdu has been saying for some time.
That's not to say he's a done deal (Florida, in particular, has been told some pretty promising things by Hunter and those around him, as well). However, as long as the Hokies had a pretty good season, the plan was always that they'd end with the best shot to land him. Through eight games, there are minimal complaints about the product on the field - in fact, it's exceeded the expectations of most - so VT has set itself up well.
The likes of Alabama, Auburn, and North Carolina aren't just window dressing though, and they certainly don't see themselves that way. They'll do everything they can to try to change his mind before Hunter makes his final choice. It's seemed like Auburn has been running fifth out of this group (despite multiple visits to the Plains), and given that he'd been pretty adamant about visiting either Notre Dame or Michigan, it's a bit of a surprise - though only a small one, since they seemed like even less realistic options - that he didn't leave one or both in the hunt. It's a good thing though, given that it makes it easier for him to justify the official visit to Blacksburg without having to explain himself to media, etc.
The Hokies still feel good about this one, and the composition of that top five does provide a bit more comfort, even if there weren't any surprise eliminations from it as regards the schools that have actually had the best chance to land him.
https://virginiatech.rivals.com/news/devon-hunter-has-five-finalists
...and here's a bit more:
Hunter has given Virginia Tech's coaching staff every indication that a strong season would see him end up becoming a member of their program. He plans to take his official visit the same weekend as the majority of the 2017 pledges - rather than during the season, when he wouldn't be able to get as much personalize attention from fellow recruits and the staff. That's right in line with what board insider @dm4vtdu has been saying for some time.
That's not to say he's a done deal (Florida, in particular, has been told some pretty promising things by Hunter and those around him, as well). However, as long as the Hokies had a pretty good season, the plan was always that they'd end with the best shot to land him. Through eight games, there are minimal complaints about the product on the field - in fact, it's exceeded the expectations of most - so VT has set itself up well.
The likes of Alabama, Auburn, and North Carolina aren't just window dressing though, and they certainly don't see themselves that way. They'll do everything they can to try to change his mind before Hunter makes his final choice. It's seemed like Auburn has been running fifth out of this group (despite multiple visits to the Plains), and given that he'd been pretty adamant about visiting either Notre Dame or Michigan, it's a bit of a surprise - though only a small one, since they seemed like even less realistic options - that he didn't leave one or both in the hunt. It's a good thing though, given that it makes it easier for him to justify the official visit to Blacksburg without having to explain himself to media, etc.
The Hokies still feel good about this one, and the composition of that top five does provide a bit more comfort, even if there weren't any surprise eliminations from it as regards the schools that have actually had the best chance to land him.
