The Virginia Tech Hokies are building something special on the recruiting trail, and they just added another key piece to their 2027 class. Fresh off landing cornerback Chase Johnson, the Hokies secured a commitment from three-star safety Elijah Butler, a standout from Baltimore's St. Frances Academy.

Butler, an imposing 6-foot-3, 190-pound defensive back, chose Virginia Tech over SEC powerhouses Auburn and Florida, rounding out his final three. His decision marks a significant win for the Hokies, who beat out a long list of suitors that included Oregon, Alabama, and Indiana.

What makes this commitment even more exciting is Butler's connection to a familiar pipeline. He's the second St. Frances player to join the Hokies' 2027 class, following defensive lineman Alexander Taylor. The school has already produced a promising young talent in true freshman cornerback Amauri Polydor, who enrolled in January and is expected to see playing time this fall.

Butler credited head coach James Franklin as a major factor in his decision. "What excites me about the future under Coach Franklin is the development, because I know he can do some great things with this program and bring it back to where it used to be," Butler told Steve Wiltfong of On3/Rivals.

With Butler on board, Virginia Tech now boasts 11 commitments for the 2027 cycle, including four from Maryland. The Hokies have been on a hot streak, landing three commitments this month alone and 10 since April 3. According to 247Sports, this latest addition pushes Virginia Tech to No. 15 nationally in team recruiting rankings for the class.

For Hokies fans, this is more than just a commitment—it's a statement that the program is reloading with top-tier talent from a proven pipeline. Whether you're gearing up for game day or just love following the next generation of stars, the future in Blacksburg is looking bright.