Virginia football coach Mike London had a joyous day Saturday in the Hampton-Newport News area and not just because his son, Brandon, was getting married.

Across town, Hampton High School quarterback David Watford announced that he had chosen UVa over Virginia Tech and West Virginia.

Watford (6-foot-2, 180 pounds) would become the first Hampton player to sign with the Cavaliers since Marques Hagans in 2001. Hagans, who finished his UVa as the No. 5 passer in UVa history, was in the audience Saturday.

Another ex-Crabber, Virginia Tech quarterback Tyrod Taylor, also attended a ceremony that was held in conjunction with a camp that many of the Hampton players have attended.

"I know that I've seen David wear a lot of Virginia Tech stuff over the years," Hampton coach Mike Smith said, "but he had been up to Virginia a lot when Marques was there. I'm sure that's where Marques wanted him to go."

Watford, entering his third season as Hampton's starting quarterback, passed for 1,538 yards and 16 touchdowns in 2009. He also rushed for 380 yards and 10 touchdowns.

"Tyrod had to play a little earlier and probably was a little ahead of David athletically," Smith said, "but David's got a lot of potential and is very smart [3.7 GPA]. He ran track this year and has a terrific season indoors and outdoors."

London let it be known early that he would become personally involved with the Watford recruiting, Smith said. Assistant Vincent Brown recruits Hampton High School for the Cavaliers.

"I think Virginia has a lot of people in the mix at quarterback," said Smith, who never warmed to London's predecessor, Al Groh, "and David is not a defensive back. If he's going to play, it's going to be a at quarterback.

"I don't think there were as many people in front of him at Tech, but he's an intelligent kid. I'm sure he took everything into consideration."