Virginia Tech has kicked of its 2011 class with a commitment from one of its top targets. Not only that, but the commitment hails from the state of Virginia, which, as always, is a primary concern for Virginia Tech head coach Frank Beamer and company.

The first player to commit to Tech’s 2011 class is South County (Lorton, VA) safety/linebacker prospect Ronny Vandyke , who was in attendance for Tech’s junior day today. He attended a similar event at Tech last year as a sophomore.

“He did commit down there,” South County head coach Pete Bendorf said. “It kind of caught me off guard a little bit with the timing, but I think Virginia Tech has always been his favorite place. He respects the program, coach Foster and coach Beamer. He’s excited. He called me and let me know and he was really excited. We talked about him making the commitment, and I said he should commit if this is what he wants to do. He said, ‘Coach. I just feel comfortable here.’ He feels comfortable around the people. He really likes the campus. He felt like he fits in well.”

One of the state’s most highly recruited juniors to this point in the recruiting process, Vandyke chose Tech over offers from Boston College, East Carolina, Maryland, Pitt, Rutgers, Syracuse, Virginia and West Virginia. At 6-3, 196 pounds, he possesses the size coaches are looking for. Particularly Virginia Tech, which verbally offered the promising prospect around this same time last year.

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