Maury star lineman Painter commits to Virginia Tech

When the recruiting process started to get hectic for Vinston Painter about five months ago, his high school coach gave him some simple advice.

Dealton Cotton, who just last week stepped down as Maury’s coach, told Painter “to do what he feels comfortable in doing.”

Painter, regarded as one of the nation’s top high school linemen, followed that advice Tuesday when he committed to play football at Virginia Tech.

Painter, 6-foot-6 and 315 pounds, had his choice of more than 50 scholarship offers. Among his suitors were Florida, Georgia, Penn State and Miami. But the final decision came down to the Hokies or the Hurricanes.

“Everybody kept telling me that when you go to a certain school, you’re going to get that feeling like this is where you want to be,” he said. “And I got that feeling every time I went to Tech. I just felt like it was for me, and I could see myself playing there every time.

“Miami was nice, and I had a good time there, but it just didn’t feel right. But when I went to Tech, all the fans showed me and all of the players so much love.”

The Hokies certainly will be glad to have Painter, an all-state selection last year as a junior. The offensive line has been a major concern of Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer this season, and he has vowed to improve that part of his team.

Getting commitments from Painter and Bobby Massie of Lynchburg — a 6-foot-8, 335-pounder — are steps in the right direction.

Painter is rated the No. 4 prospect in the state and the No. 15 offensive tackle in the nation by Rivals.com.

Virginia Tech now has received commitments from 12 of the top 30 players in the state.

Painter is the fifth Class of 2008 player from South Hampton Roads to commit to Virginia Tech.

The others are Salem linebacker Lyndell Gibson, Smithfield running back/wide receiver Dyrell Roberts, First Colonial running back Tony Gregory and Landstown safety/wide receiver Xavier Boyce.

“It’s a big relief off my shoulders,” Painter said. “Now I can kind of relax the rest of my senior year. I don’t have to stress about it anymore because I already know where I’m going.”

Painter said he’s looking forward to reuniting with former Maury teammates Kam Chancellor and Prince Parker in Blacksburg. His family also will get the chance to see him play live.

“It means I get to spend more time with my family for at least another four years because I won’t be that far away,” he said. “All of us can drive back and forth to see each other, so that will be a lot of fun.”

Painter also is the ninth Class of 2008 player from South Hampton Roads to commit to an ACC school. The others are Bayside quarterback E.J. Manuel to Florida State, Oscar Smith wide receiver/defensive back Todd Harrelson to UNC, Oscar Smith wide receiver Kerry Boykins to Maryland and Norview lineman Klinton Ruff to Virginia.