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Top recruit to stay in Virginia, Caleb chooses Va. Tech

Posted at 5:39 AM, Feb 01, 2012
and last updated 2012-02-27 11:39:47-05

MIDLOTHIAN, Va. (WTVR) - Top Virginia high school football recruit Joel Caleb announced Wednesday his decision to attend Virginia Tech this Fall.

Caleb, a senior at Clover Hill High School, chose the Hokies over Ohio State and West Virginia.

"A great program. Great academics. Somewhere I could trust. Somewhere where I feel like I'm going to be a part of the program," Caleb said when asked what he was looking for when choosing a school.

Wednesday was national signing day across the country. It is a day when high school football players commit to attend a college or university.

ESPN.com ranked Caleb as the number one recruit in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Caleb told CBS 6 Sports Director Lane Casadonte he made his decision to sign with Virginia Tech two weeks ago, but that no one, not even his mother, knew for sure he would choose Va. Tech. [Click here to follow Lane on Twitter]

"I'm glad I'm staying close to home," Caleb said. "That's where my support is. Support was a real big factor in my decision."

Caleb, who played quarterback at Clover Hill, will play wide receiver for the Hokies.

He said the way Va. Tech has developed its wide receivers combined with the relationships he formed with Virginia Tech head coach Frank Beamer and assistant coach Shane Beamer helped him make his decision.

"What a better coach to play for than Frank Beamer," Caleb said following the announcement. "I thought it was a perfect fit for me to come right in and make an impact early."

Other Virginia high school students who signed to play for Virginia Tech include Jerome Wright (RB - Highland Springs) and Augie Conte (OL - Blessed Sacrament Huguenot). [Click here to see all the students who signed to play football for Virginia Tech]