For the second straight year, Virginia Tech has landed TechSideline.com's #1 ranked player in the state of Virginia. Earlier this evening, Tech, led by primary recruiter Curt Newsome, scored a verbal commitment from 6-6, 315-pound Maury (Norfolk, VA) offensive lineman Vinston Painter.

Painter, a long-time Virginia Tech lean, committed to Curt Newsome, who was making an in-home visit with the Tidewater star.

"I just committed to Virginia Tech," Painter said. "I'd been thinking about it for a while. I was just waiting for when Coach Newsome would come to my house. Today was the day. He was pretty excited about it."

Painter had scholarship offers from programs all across the country before settling in on a final two - Miami and Virginia Tech - last month.

Adding to what has been a tremendous in-state class for the Hokies, Painter becomes the 17th player from the state of Virginia to commit to the Tech's 2008 recruiting class.

The Hokies have now landed three of the state's top eight players per TechSideline.com's Preseason In-State Top 30 list.

For more comments from Painter on his commitment to VT, please see our TSL Pass recruiting update.