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.

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.

@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.

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.