Returning starters Nathaniel Adibi (83), Ronyell Whitaker (2) and Willie Pile (35) will be key figures as Virginia Tech’s fast, young defensive unit tries to uphold the Hokies’ reputation for defensive excellence. HERE’S WHAT A FEW PUBLICATIONS THINK OF THE HOKIES Athlon Magazine Virginia Tech No. 18 nationally Virginia Tech No. 2 in the BIG EAST Ronyell Whitaker — First-Team Preseason All-America defensive back; preseason All-BIG EAST Lee Suggs — preseason All-BIG EAST Jake Grove — preseason All-BIG EAST Willie Pile — preseason All-BIG EAST Virginia Tech — best running back group in the conference Virginia Tech — best defensive backfield in the conference The Sporting News Virginia Tech No. 21 nationally Virginia Tech— No. 10 defensive backfield in the country Anthony Davis — preseason All-BIG EAST first team; No. 21 offensive tackle in the nation Lee Suggs — preseason All-BIG EAST first team; No. 5 running back in the nation Ronyell Whitaker — preseason All-BIG EAST first team; No. 8 cornerback in the nation Willie Pile — preseason All-BIG EAST first team; No. 10 free safety in the nation Ernest Wilford — preseason All-BIG EAST second team Luke Owens — preseason All-BIG EAST second team; No. 23 offensive guard in the nation Kevin Jones — preseason All-BIG EAST second team; No. 18 running back in the nation Kevin Lewis — preseason All-BIG EAST second team; No. 22 defensive end in the nation DeAngelo Hall — preseason All-BIG EAST second team Jake Grove — No. 6 center in the nation Jimmy Williams — BIG EAST Defensive Newcomer of the Year Lindy’s Virginia Tech No. 14 nationally Virginia Tech — No. 10 defensive backfield in the nation Kevin Jones — No. 12 running back in the nation Ronyell Whitaker — No. 10 cornerback in the nation Willie Pile — No. 13 safety in the nation Playboy Magazine Collegefootballnews.com Lee Suggs — Preseason All-America running back Kevin Jones — Third-Team Preseason All-America running back; preseason All-BIG EAST; No. 7 overall player Street & Smith’s in the conference Virginia Tech ranked no. 21 nationally Ronyell Whitaker — preseason All-BIG EAST; Kevin Jones — most elusive running back in the conference No. 14 overall player in the conference Lee Suggs — running back with best instincts in the Willie Pile — preseason All-BIG EAST; conference; preseason All-BIG EAST No. 12 overall player in the conference DeAngelo Hall — best athlete in the conference; Lee Suggs — No. 10 overall player in the conference preseason All-BIG EAST Nathaniel Adibi — No. 24 overall player in the conference Cols Colas — preseason All-BIG EAST Jim Davis — No. 26 overall player in the conference Willie Pile — preseason All-BIG EAST HOKIES HOPE TO BE UP TO THE TEST IN CRITICAL YEAR Riding the wave of nine made to a new offensive consecutive bowl games and a coordinator and a new BIG EAST Conference-leading quarterbacks coach. 83 wins over the last nine With perhaps the toughest seasons, the Virginia Tech football schedule in school football team is entering what history ahead of them, it all head coach Frank Beamer adds up to a challenging calls a critical year for the season for the coaching staff program. and the team. The Hokies will open 2002 “Overall, I think this is a preseason practice with critical year for the program,” Safety Willie Pile will lead a strong Virginia Tech secondary. several issues that still need Beamer says. “Not only do we attention. There are questions have to replace 11 players who opted to forego surgery and “That’s where you would like to surrounding the Hokies’ are now in NFL camps, we are has spent the past few be a strong, veteran team and quarterback position, the also getting ready to play months strengthening his it’s just the opposite. We have middle of the Tech defense probably the toughest knee and leg in preparation plenty of talented guys, but and the wide receiver schedule we’ve ever played for the season. Noel was most of them are inexperienced positions. There are also here. When you put those two inconsistent at times during and there is no way around it. continuing adjustments being things together, this will be a the 2001 season but showed How quickly are they going to critical year for us to leadership and toughness on play well is the issue.” see if we are a the way to picking up The final solution to the consistent football valuable experience for his tackle situation will not come team … to see if we senior year. until August. “We feel some of can just replace guys If Noel is unable to play, the people we have recruited fit and keep on moving.” sophomore Bryan Randall into this situation, too,” the Tech Beamer has a list has worked hard to be ready. coach admits. of priorities and the Randall had an outstanding Several incoming recruits first thing on that list spring, showing improved could also figure into the is getting a handle on technique and poise. The equation at the wide receiver the quarterback Hokies will also take a look at spots where Tech lost big-play position. The Hokies’ freshman Marcus Vick when man André Davis and tall, returning starter Grant practice opens. Vick, whose athletic Emmett Johnson. Noel had a solid hold older brother, Michael, was a “We have some good on the quarterback Tech All-American and the receivers in the program,” duties when he first player picked in the 2001 Beamer points out, “but right suffered a torn ACL in NFL Draft, will be given the now, I think we need some his left knee just days opportunity to show what he people to step up and be before Tech’s 2002 can do during the preseason. productive.” spring game. Noel, Overall, the Hokies must Among Tech’s strengths will who closed out his replace 11 starters, including be a deep, talented group of first season as a six on defense. The losses on defensive ends, an starter by passing for the defensive side, however, experienced, athletic group of 269 yards against go deeper than just the cornerbacks and free safeties Florida State in the starters. The team’s top five and a stable of tailbacks that 2002 Gator Bowl, defensive tackles were all ranks among the best in the seniors, as were the top three nation. Grant Noel started inside linebackers. The return of senior tailback all 12 games at “Right up the middle of Lee Suggs, who suffered a quarterback for our defense is where all the season-ending knee injury Tech last season. new guys are,” Beamer says. Continued … VIRGINIA TECH FOOTBALL 17 Outlook continued … The Hokies will “It helps a lot having three also have new starters back, but we still have during the Hokies’ 2001 quarterbacks coach a very young group,” opener against UConn, drew Kevin Rogers on Stinespring says. “I really like plenty of attention during the hand for the first this group. It has a nice spring. Suggs won All-America season. After mixture of experience and honors in 2000 when he spending time with young talent. We had some rushed for 1,207 yards and led the quarterbacks guys step up and secure the nation in scoring (28 TDs). currently in the starting spots and now we Suggs will join last year’s system last spring, have to work on becoming a freshman sensation, Kevin Rogers now has a cohesive unit. The depth was Jones, at the position. Jones better grasp of what the biggest concern heading was named the BIG EAST he has to work with. into spring and I think we Rookie of the Year and a While the spring helped ourself, but we still freshman All-America in 2001, session was a big have some questions that after leading Tech with a one, Stinespring need to be answered.” freshman-record 957 yards feels the fall Junior Jake Grove will rushing. The Hokies’ depth at preseason camp make the move from guard to the position has allowed the will be just as center this year. He started 10 coaches to temporarily move a important. A games at right guard last pair of impressive freshman Anthony couple of season, as well as serving as tailbacks – Cedric Humes and Davis items the top backup to Steve Justin Hamilton – to other remain DeMasi at center. Last season positions where they have a areas of was the first Grove played chance to contribute concern, such as through without his nagging immediately. the health of Noel, back injury flaring up to the “There is no question that finalizing the depth chart at each point where he had to miss we have some great running position and determining which playing time. He played 565 backs in our program,” incoming freshmen can be ready offensive plays a year ago, Beamer says. “I thought Lee for the opening game against grading out at 84.9 percent on did well during the spring. He Arkansas State. the year with a team-high 48 really wanted to get in there “I thought our offense knockdown blocks. and get some scrimmage competed well in the spring,” “I think center is Jake’s work, and we gave him just a The loss of five starters Stinespring says. “We wanted to best position,” Stinespring very little so he could take a from last year’s offense hasn’t implement a more attacking style says. “Last year, we went with couple of shots and get it out detracted from the excitement of offense and I think we our best five linemen on the of his mind.