PHILADELPHIA — After months and months of letters and visits to universities, Kevin Jones made his decision.

The No. 1 recruit in the country announced where he was going to play football for the next four years in front of more than 150 classmates, friends and family.

"I'm not going to Penn State," Jones said as he pulled out a Penn State jersey. "I'm going to Virginia Tech."

He then took off his Cardinal O'Hara High School sweater revealing a No. 7 Virginia Tech jersey.

"That is where I want to play and felt most comfortable at," Jones said with his parents on either side of him.

While most speculated that Jones was headed to Happy Valley, Kevin's father made it clear that even he did not know where Kevin was headed until he came to school today.

"As of yesterday afternoon, it was Virginia Tech," Tom Jones said. "But then Kevin had the opportunity to call LaVar Arrington and Brandon Short last night. Kevin didn't get in contact with LaVar but he spoke to Brandon last night around 12:30, so I didn't know what he said or what school Kevin was going to choose."

While some were happy that the All-American running back who rushed for more than 5,000 yards and compiled more than 80 touchdowns at O'Hara made his decision to play for Frank Beamer and the Hokies next season, most were shocked.

"When Coach Paterno came here last week, I thought that is where Kevin was going to go, so yeah, I was completely surprised," Cardinal O'Hara senior Brandon Reagan said.

The recruiting continued for Penn State as assistant head coach Fran Ganter and wide receivers coach Kenny Jackson stopped by Jones' home for one last recruiting pitch. For one final attempt, at 7:30 p.m., the coaches tried to capture the top running back, but were unsuccessful.

"Yeah, I think they were mad but I couldn't really do anything about it," Jones said.

One of the reasons why Jones chose Virginia Tech over Penn State was because the Hokies have a better track program than the Lions.

Since Jones has broken records in the county for running track, the sprinter will most likely run in college and it appeared to be a better fit than Penn State was for the athlete.

Tom Jones said another reason for his son's decision to head to Blacksburg, Va., was the vast difference in each of the school's 2000 seasons.

The Lions finished 5-7 and have not been to a New Year's Day bowl since 1998.

The Hokies played Clemson in a New Year's Day bowl this past season and competed for a national title two years ago in the Sugar Bowl.

"I didn't want my son to go in there feeling as if he had to be the savior," Tom Jones said. "Virginia Tech is a good program and can compete for a national title right now."