The oldest player on Tech’s team didn’t quite have the senior season he wanted, but D.J. Coles handled the situation with a maturity expected from one his age The Hokies will miss the leadership of D.J. Coles, who mentored a young r…
Despite the ups and downs, quarterback Logan Thomas has enjoyed his time at Tech and credits his family and friends – many of whom are outside of sports – for helping him along the way A three-year starter at quarterback, Logan Thom…
Tyrel Wilson hasn’t gotten a lot of attention in his career for his role on Tech’s defensive line, but he has earned the respect of his teammates and coaches for his work ethic and unselfish attitude Tyrel Wilson doesn’t have a lo…
Offensive lineman Andrew Miller gave up a potentially great career in wrestling to go to the mat in football – a decision that has turned out well for both him and the Hokies The Hokies dropped a tough one to Duke, but Andrew Miller d…
A rededication to faith has enabled Tech defensive end J.R. Collins to turn his game and his life in a positive direction J.R. Collins played the best game of his career with his two-sack, seven-hurry performance in the Hokies’ win ov…
Tech offensive lineman Brent Benedict has dealt with some serious issues in his life, including the death of his brother, but the young man knows how to keep things light off the field Brent Benedict missed nearly two seasons while reco…
James Gayle’s lack of experience with football and lack of weight as a teenager weren’t big issues for him to overcome on his way to becoming a two-time All-ACC player at Tech Gaze at him on the street, and you’d never guess t…
A humble attitude, a great work ethic and an undeniable determination were just a few of the traits that former walk-ons and running backs Joey Phillips and Martin Scales shared in their Tech careers Joey Phillips and Martin Scales s…
Nick Becton is quiet off the field, but the left tackle’s play this season has spoken quite loudly to Tech’s opponents Occasionally, one who works in the journalism world comes across an athlete who is as quiet as Lane Stadium i…
Antone Exum has been a lightning rod for his critics this season, but his confidence in himself enabled him to become an All-ACC cornerback Some players are just lightning rods for attention. Of those, a certain few bring it upon them…
After four long years, Tech offensive tackle Vinston Painter is living up to his potential on the field and off He stands 6-foot-6 and weighs a rather sturdy 310 pounds. He possesses unworldly athleticism, and to put that in persp…
Bruce Taylor hasn’t let past obstacles get in his way of being a great player for Tech and well respected in the community for his efforts with Special Olympics It practically takes more than an atlas to find the town of Riceboro,…
Jeron Gouveia-Winslow has overcome hurdles on and off the field and is trying to make the most of his final season at Tech The ball came straight toward him, an inflated piece of stitched swine skin wobbling end over end. Here he was,…
Football at Tech is part of a family tradition for Corey and Kyle Fuller Corey Fuller Most people in southwest Virginia grow up as Virginia Tech fans and most remember their first experiences at Lane Stadium. They remember the crispne…
From radio to writing to TV, Collin Carroll isn’t limiting himself when it comes to his future following football He swore he set his alarm clock, that little contraption next to his bed that wakes him each morning at a designated tim…
As serious as he is on the field, Blake DeChristopher doesn’t take life too seriously off it It’s late at night, and Curt Newsome, tired from another 15-hour grind of watching film, going to practice, watching more film and calling …
Using different styles, receivers Jarrett Boykin and Danny Coale have rewritten the Virginia Tech record book, but neither of them really gives that a lot of thought On the surface, they are as different as black and white. Yet deeper…
Tariq Edwards is on a path to greatness as a linebacker at Tech and a lot of credit goes to stepdad and former Hokie Bo Campbell Cheraw, S.C., is a blip of town that sits in Chesterfield County, tucked away in the northeast corner o…
Greg Nosal shuns the spotlight, but excels as an offensive lineman with a work ethic and a disciplined approach instilled by his father, a lifelong Navy man Greg Nosal Greg Nosal shares living quarters with teammates Andrew Lanier, C…
Eddie Whitley's love of chess has helped him line up the pieces to Tech's defense as the free safety. Eddie Whitley has never played in the Sugar Bowl, but he certainly remembers his first trip to the French Quarter. He wasn’t there …
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt;"Times New Roman"; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; } "It showed me that I needed to pick my game up another notch. I needed to work that much harder. H…
Chris Hazley Motivation comes in many forms. Money motivates many people. For others, titles serve as the motivating force. Fear is often a motivator. So, too, is envy. Simple self-betterment often looms as a motivator. One Tech footb…
Rock Carmichael He often hears that voice, one that no one else hears. It comes across as a tiny whisper that reverberates loudly within his mind. He remembers the day his father first asked him that question. He came to Virginia Tech …
Davon Morgan Watching senior leader Davon Morgan practice and play, there is never a dull or down moment. A student of the game, Morgan learns from his coaches and teammates while keeping the energy level high as often as possible. Many…
Steven Friday If you take a glance at Steven Friday on the street or perhaps see him at a local restaurant, you won’t find any gray hair on display. His hearing is just fine, thank you. And judging from the haste in which he pursues…
The booklet sits at his folks’ home in Hampton, Virginia, slightly worn and weathered, a sure victim of time. It wasn’t a fancy piece to begin with; certainly not a work with a perfect binding, color graphics and high-gloss paper.…
Keep what you got Until you get what You need y’all You got to give a lot Just to get what You need sometimes y’all Gimme the bridge now I feel like bustin’ loose Bustin’ loose Gimme the bridge now I fee…
Sergio Render grew up in rural Georgia, and his passion for the outdoors, along with a loving aunt and uncle, guided him from a troubling path. Practically every morning in late autumn, the alarm clock goes off at 5 o’clock, vibrating…
Cordarrow Thompson His mother cooked his favorites and heaped the food on his plate, as any good mother does. And like a good son, he cleaned his plate, leaving no morsel or crumb to be scraped into the garbage bin or down the hatch o…
When things are flying around on the field, Cody Grimm never seems to get rattled, and that demeanor has enabled him to become one of the Hokies' more productive players. The idea itself was simply ingenious. The execution absolute…
The lure of Tech’s bucolic surroundings helped the Hokies hook Andre Smith, and he has used his outdoor hobbies to escape from a difficult past and become a solid contributor on the field. He might be the last person one would exp…
Kam Chancellor wants to play in the NFL and then use his salary to rebuild an old Boys and Girls Club in a rugged area of his hometown. The shabby building sits on the corner of a crime-infested neighborhood known as Park Place in the…