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Virginia Tech fans were stunned on Monday morning when the school announced that junior defensive back Devon Hunter was suspended indefinitely.
Virginia Tech Athletics Statement pic.twitter.com/AuyS7jsY1q
— Virginia Tech Football (@HokiesFB) September 14, 2020
The news was a stunner for many reasons. Head coach Justin Fuente has praised Hunter for his work throughout the offseason. The highest-rated recruit in the Fuente era, things haven’t gone as planned for Hunter in Blacksburg on the field.
Instead of packing his bags, Hunter worked even harder, becoming an important locker-room leader for the Hokies.
The details surrounding his suspension were quiet on Monday morning and safe to say, Fuente was shocked.
Fuente asked if, after speaking so highly of Devon Hunter all offseason, if today's suspension news is a surprising or shocking development to him?
— Andy Bitter (@AndyBitterVT) September 14, 2020
Fuente: "Yes."
He did not elaborate.
Later on Monday, the details of why Hunter was suspended were revealed.
Over the weekend, Hunter was arrested for an incident that apparently occurred on Sept. 5. He was charged with felony strangulation and misdemeanor assault against a family member. The strangulation charge is a Class 6 felony while the assault charge is a Class 1 misdemeanor.
Hunter is in the Montgomery County Jail where he’s currently being held without bond until his initial court appearance.
Virginia Tech players were shocked on Monday morning as many tweeted on the news of Hunter’s suspension.
The 6-foot-0, 220-pound Hunter was expected to start at safety this season for Virginia Tech. A consensus top-100 player in 2017, Hunter played 10 games his freshman season before redshirting in 2019. As a redshirt sophomore last fall, he played in all 13 games, making two starts.