Caleb Farley's Surprise Commitment Good News for Hokies' Staff

It's safe to say Caleb Farley's verbal commitment to the Hokies came as a surprise to head coach Justin Fuente.

"(Fuente) told me that he almost fell out of his seat because he wasn't expecting it," Farley chuckled in an interview with The Key Play. "He was happy."

The 6-3, 180 pound Maiden, North Carolina product previously set a decision date of June 11. However, an instant attraction to Virginia Tech accelerated Farley's timeline and he announced his decision to Tech on Friday.

"I fell in love with the school," Farley said. "I really liked my relationship with the coaches, so I thought I should just get the decision out of the way."

James Shibest and Brad Cornelsen ran point on Farley's recruitment, and the 3-star prospect really gravitated to Fuente's personality and coaching style.

"I loved him. I just loved his whole mentality about the game and his philosophy. It clicked with me and made sense. I just hopped onboard right away.

"In everything you do, it's excellence. He just demands greatness. He has that higher standard."

Virginia Tech offered Farley as a quarterback, but he is open to transitioning to a wide receiver.

"I am coming in as a quarterback," Farley said, "If I can't earn the starting job, or come close to the depth chart, then they'll move me where I can get some playing time."

As a junior, the dual-threat signal caller threw for 1,854 yards and 20 touchdowns. He added 1,585 yards and 17 TDs on the ground.

Farley's experience at wideout is limited to backyard and 7-on-7 games, but his size combined with 4.37 40 speed (hand clocked) signal his high ceiling.

"I think I can come out of cuts very, very fast, quick explosive in and out of my breaks," Farley said. "That just gives me separation, and once I get the separation, the open field is my biggest strength."

Farley's receiving prowess was on display during Sunday's Rivals camp.

Recent Hokies' commit Caleb Farley at reciever at RCS Charlotte pic.twitter.com/1HFWUMec2f— Max Esterhuizen (@MaxEsterhuizen) April 17, 2016

Farley has his eye on studying business at Tech, and he plans to improve his conditioning and weight training while in high school in order to prepare for Fuente's high-octane offense.

"I loved the tempo," Farley said. "Everybody knew that they had a mission in mind, and they needed to move, and they all bought into Coach Fuente's process. It seemed like everybody was on the same page."

Farley will be back in Blacksburg this weekend to watch Tech's spring game and meet two of his favorite quarterbacks.

"Coach Fuente told me Michael Vick and Tyrod Taylor were going to be there, so I'm looking forward to meeting them too," Farley added.

Regardless of where he lines up in maroon and orange, Farley just wants to find the end zone.

"Either one (wide receiver or quarterback), as long as it's getting touchdowns."