Two quarterbacks verbally commit to Va. Tech

Three months removed from national signing day, when Virginia Tech's football team whiffed at getting a quarterback, the Hokies have picked up two passers for the Class of 2010.

During the day Thursday, Tech received oral commitments from defensive tackle Derrick Hopkins and quarterback Ricardo Young. Thursday evening, the Hokies got another pleasant surprise: a second commitment at QB. Mark Leal, from Delray Beach, Fla., picked Tech over scholarship offers from Kansas, Minnesota, Oregon, Rutgers and West Virginia.

Leal represents the latest in what appears to be a Tech pipeline to Atlantic High in Delray Beach. Former Hokies receiver David Clowney and former cornerback Brandon Flowers, both now in the NFL, are Atlantic alumni. And Tech signed top cornerback recruit Jayron Hosley out of Atlantic in February.

Leal threw for 2,355 yards and accounted for 26 touchdowns as a junior, tossing seven interceptions. He is rated the No. 24 dual-threat quarterback in the country by Rivals.com.

He likely will battle Young - Tech's other quarterback commitment - for the right to replace Tyrod Taylor as the Hokies' starter after the 2010 season.

Like Leal, Young fits Tech's run-pass mold at quarterback. Young threw for more than 3,000 yards, rushed for 780 and accounted for 42 touchdowns as a junior.