According to Hermitage (Richmond, VA) head coach Patrick Kane, rising senior stars Duan Perez-Means have verbally committed to Virginia Tech.
“They did commit,” Kane said. “They were calling to set up a visit for this coming Friday, and they just went ahead and committed over the phone.”
Norman, a 6-3, 185-pound wide receiver/safety recruit, and Perez-Means, a versatile 6-4, 220-pound athlete who is being recruited by Tech to play defensive end, give Virginia Tech 11 verbal commitments for the 2009 recruiting class. One of those commits, Bassett OL Andrew Miller, will be on wrestling scholarship his freshman year at Virginia Tech.
A top performer on both sides of the ball, Norman hauled in 30 catches for 438 yards at wide receiver last season as a junior. He is also a two-year starter at free safety for the Panthers, who captured the Group AAA Central Region championship last season. Norman received written offers from Connecticut, Maryland, Syracuse, Virginia and Virginia Tech.
“[The Virginia Tech coaches] are recruiting Duan as a defensive end. They will probably give Theron a tryout at free safety, but the good thing about him is that he can play other positions if it doesn’t work out there. He could move to wide receiver or get a look at rover.”
Perez-Means also is a standout on offense and defense, but defensive end appears to be his future at Virginia Tech. The athletic prospect, who other college coaches envisioned as an outside linebacker or tight end or even wide receiver, tallied four defensive touchdowns last season from the defensive end spot. In addition to Virginia Tech, he had also been offered by East Carolina, Maryland, Syracuse, Virginia and West Virginia.
“Comfort level was one thing,” Kane remarked. “For Duan, he wants to be a veterinarian at some point, so that was big for him. Their families felt comfortable with Virginia Tech. And they each come from very strong families.”
Kane seemed very excited that four of his players will be at Tech together in the near future. Besides Perez-Means and Norman, Alonzo Tweedy is a true freshman free safety, and quarterback Joseph “Ju-Ju” Clayton will enroll next week.
Former Hermitage star Duane Brown recently signed a first round contract with the Houston Texans, so there is certainly evidence of Hermitage players having success in Blacksburg.
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