From the moment that Virginia Tech took a 2003 oral commitment from Fork Union offensive lineman Ryan Shuman, the Hokies were the favorites for his younger brother, Mark.

Mark Shuman made it official Wednesday in a 6:45 p.m. call to Tech coach Frank Beamer and recruiting coordinator Jim Cavanaugh.

Shuman, a 6-foot-6, 280-pound offensive tackle, was ranked third by The Roanoke Times in a listing of the state's top juniors and had 16 scholarship offers.

He had been to Virginia on two occasions this spring, "but I've been around Tech so long, going to UVa just wouldn't seem right," he said.

"I was really only considering Tech."

Shuman plays for the undergraduate team at Fork Union Military Academy. His father, John, is the FUMA postgraduate coach.

John Shuman said the "major hurdle" was informing new Virginia assistant Latrell Scott of the decision. Scott began his coaching career at FUMA and often would babysit Mark Shuman.

"We called Latrell first," John Shuman said. "It was the hardest call we ever had to make. After Mark got off the phone with him, he said, 'I'm totally worn out. It was hard.'"

Mark Shuman said it became apparent during his sophomore year that the Hokies were going to recruit him.

His older brother was a three-year starter, the last two years at center, and was an honorable-mention All-ACC choice this past season as a senior.

"Starting Monday, we're going to be in the weight room, working on Mark's footwork because, you know, we're not redshirting," said his father, who occasionally speaks with tongue in cheek. "We're not going to hang around five years. He's going to start or compete for a starting job right away."

Of course, the coaches might have a say in the redshirting decision.

"We're going to get him well-schooled on what [the Hokies] need," said John Shuman, a one-time VMI standout.

"We'll get Ryan involved, have Ryan teach him up this summer. We want this guy on the fast track. Did Eugene Monroe redshirt?"

Monroe, projected as one of the top 10 picks in Saturday's NFL Draft, backed up D'Brickashaw Ferguson as a true freshman at UVa in 2005.

"I look at my son in that category," Shuman said. "We've got to get this done."