2007 Virginia Tech Hokies football team

The 2007 Virginia Tech Hokies football team represented Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University during the 2007 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team's head coach was Frank Beamer.

2007 Virginia Tech Hokies football
ACC champion
ACC Coastal Division champion
Orange Bowl, L 21–24 vs. Kansas
ConferenceAtlantic Coast Conference
DivisionCoastal Division
Ranking
CoachesNo. 9
APNo. 9
Record11–3 (7–1 ACC)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorBryan Stinespring (6th season)
Offensive schemePro-style
Defensive coordinatorBud Foster (13th season)
Base defense4–3
Home stadiumLane Stadium
(c. 66,233, grass)
2007 Atlantic Coast Conference football standings
ConfOverall
Team W L  W L 
Atlantic Division
No. 10 Boston College x  6 –2   11 –3  
No. 21 Clemson  5 –3   9 –4  
Wake Forest  5 –3   9 –4  
Florida State  3 –5   7 –6  
Maryland  3 –5   6 –7  
NC State  3 –5   5 –7  
Coastal Division
No. 9 Virginia Tech x$  7 –1   11 –3  
Virginia  6 –2   9 –4  
Georgia Tech  4 –4   7 –6  
North Carolina  3 –5   4 –8  
Miami (FL)  2 –6   5 –7  
Duke  0 –8   1 –11  
Championship: Virginia Tech 30, Boston College 16
  • $ – BCS representative as conference champion
  • % – BCS at-large representative
  • x – Division champion/co-champions
Rankings from AP Poll

The Hokies entered the season returning nine starters on offense and eight on defense, including All-American cornerback Brandon Flowers,[1] from a 2006 team that went 10-3 and finished second in the ACC's Coastal Division behind Georgia Tech.

After the Virginia Tech massacre claimed the lives of 32 students and faculty members on Monday, April 16, 2007, the remainder of spring practice was canceled. The Hokies had been scheduled to hold two more practices in addition to a spring game on Saturday.[2] As a special tribute, ESPN's College GameDay program broadcast from Blacksburg for the Hokies' opening game against East Carolina.[3]

Schedule
DateTimeOpponentRankSiteTVResultAttendance
September 112:00 p.m.East Carolina*No. 9
ESPNW 17–766,233[4]
September 89:15 p.m.at No. 2 LSU*No. 9
ESPNL 7–4892,739[4]
September 151:30 p.m.Ohio*No. 18
  • Lane Stadium
  • Blacksburg, VA
ESPN360W 28–766,233[4]
September 221:30 pmWilliam & Mary*No. 17
  • Lane Stadium
  • Blacksburg, VA
ACC SelectW 44–366,233[4]
September 2912:00 p.m.North CarolinadaggerNo. 17
  • Lane Stadium
  • Blacksburg, VA
LFSW 17–1066,233[4]
October 66:00 p.m.at No. 22 ClemsonNo. 15
ESPNW 41–2382,047[4]
October 1312:00 pmat DukeNo. 12
LFSW 43–1423,691[4]
October 257:45 p.m.No. 2 Boston CollegeNo. 8
  • Lane Stadium
  • Blacksburg, VA (rivalry)
ESPNL 10–1466,233[4]
November 17:45 p.m.at Georgia TechNo. 11
ESPNW 27–352,202[4]
November 103:30 p.m.Florida StateNo. 11
  • Lane Stadium
  • Blacksburg, VA
ABCW 40–2166,233[4]
November 173:30 p.m.Miami (FL)No. 10
  • Lane Stadium
  • Blacksburg, VA (rivalry)
ABCW 44–1466,233[4]
November 2412:00 p.m.at No. 16 VirginiaNo. 8
ESPNW 33–2161,711[4]
December 11:00 p.m.vs. No. 12 Boston CollegeNo. 6
ABCW 30–1653,212[4]
January 3, 20088:00 p.m.vs. No. 8 Kansas*No. 5
FOXL 21–2474,111[4]
  • *Non-conference game
  • daggerHomecoming
  • Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game
  • All times are in Eastern time

Rankings
See also: 2007 NCAA Division I FBS football rankings
Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking. ██ Decrease in ranking.
т = Tied with team above or below.
Week
PollPre1234567891011121314Final
AP9918171715121181111108659
Coaches99171714141011913111085T59
HarrisNot released1615121310141310876Not released
BCSNot released118111110863Not released

Personnel

Coaching staff
Position Name First year at VT First year in current position
Head coach Frank Beamer 1987 1987
Associate head coach and running backs coach Billy Hite 1978 2001
Offensive coordinator and tight ends Bryan Stinespring 1990 2006 (offensive coordinator since 2002)
Defensive coordinator and inside linebackers Bud Foster 1987 1995
Offensive Line Curt Newsome 2006 2006
Wide Receivers Kevin Sherman 2006 2006
Strong Safety, Outside Linebackers, and Recruiting Coordinator Jim Cavanaugh 1996 2002
Quarterbacks Mike O'Cain 2006 2006
Defensive backs Torrian Gray 2006 2006
Defensive Line Charley Wiles 1996 1996
Source: hokiesports.com Archived 2013-11-02 at the Wayback Machine[5]

Roster
Flanker
  •    Paul Debnam – Sophomore
  •    Matt Finnegan – RS Sophomore
  •  4 Eddie Royal – Senior
  • 19 Josh Hyman – RS Senior
  • 34 Danny Coale – Redshirting
  • 48 Jacob Sykes – Freshman
  • 80 Brandon Dillard – RS Sophomore
Split End
  •    Michael Reid – Junior
  •  2 Josh Morgan – Senior
  •  3 Ike Whitaker – RS Sophomore
  • 16 Zach Luckett – RS Freshman
  • 37 Patrick Terry – Freshman
  • 81 Justin Harper – Senior
  • 87 Prince Parker – RS Freshman
Center
  •    Barrett Mears – RS Freshman
  • 58 Ryan Shuman – RS Junior
  • 60 Beau Warren – RS Freshman
  • 69 Michael Cassidy – RS Freshman
Offensive Guard
  • 51 Matt Welsh – RS Junior
  • 64 Richard Graham – RS Sophomore
  • 66 Brandon Holland – Sophomore
  • 68 Jaymes Brooks – Freshman
  • 69 Hivera Green – RS Sophomore
  • 70 Sergio Render – Sophomore
  • 74 Khalil Latif – Freshman
  • 79 Eric Davis – RS Sophomore
Offensive Tackle
  • 57 Clark Crum – RS Freshman
  • 62 Blake DeChristopher – Freshman
  • 63 Will Alvarez – Freshman
  • 67 Nick Marshman – RS Junior
  • 71 Aaron Brown – RS Freshman
  • 76 Duane Brown – RS Senior
  • 77 Ed Wang – RS Sophomore
Tight End
  •    Andrew Lanier – Freshman
  •  8 Greg Boone – RS Sophomore
  • 83 Sam Wheeler – RS Sophomore
  • 86 Chris Drager – Freshman
  • 88 Andre Smith – RS Freshman
  • 94 Greg Nosal – Freshman
  
Quarterback
  •    3 Jeff Beyer – Sophomore
  •  5 Tyrod Taylor – Freshman[6]
  •  7 Sean Glennon – RS Junior
  • 12 Cory Holt – RS Junior
  • 14 Grant Throckmorton – RS Senior[7]
Tailback
  •    D.J. Thomas – Freshman
  • 20 Kenny Lewis, Jr. – Sophomore
  • 32 DuVall Gibson-"Freshman"
  • 27 Jahre Cheeseman – RS Sophomore
  • 28 Brandon Ore – RS Junior
  • 29 Devin Radford – RS Freshman
  • 30 Josh Oglesby – Freshman
  • 35 Dustin Pickle – Junior
  • 38 Elan Lewis – RS Sophomore[8]
  • 40 Darren Evans – Freshman

Fullback

  •    Kenny Younger – Sophomore
  • 39 Carlton Weatherford – RS Senior
  • 40 Billy Gorham – Senior
  • 42 Kenny Jefferson – RS Sophomore
  • 44 Devin Perez – RS Junior
Defensive tackle
  •    Courtney Prince – Freshman
  • 55 Daryl Robertson – RS Freshman
  • 59 Barry Booker – RS Senior
  • 75 Kory Robertson – RS Senior
  • 91 John Graves – RS Freshman
  • 93 Kwamaine Battle – Freshman
  • 95 Cordarrow Thompson – RS Sophomore
  • 99 Carlton Powell – RS Senior
Defensive End
  •    Chad Carlson – RS Sophomore
  •    Miles Sanchez – RS Sophomore
  •    Jacob Gardner – RS Sophomore
  •    Dylan McGreevy – Junior
  • 43 Jason Worilds – RS Freshman[9]
  • 47 Nekos Brown – Sophomore
  • 49 Chris Ellis – RS Senior
  • 56 Demetrius Taylor – RS Sophomore
  • 90 Orion Martin – RS Junior
  • 96 Justin Young – RS Freshman
  
Cornerback
Linebacker
  •    Mark Muncey – RS Freshman
  •    Quillie Odom – Freshman
  •    Tim Richardson – RS Freshman
  •    Alonzo Tweedy – Freshman
  •  6 Andrew Bowman – RS Junior
  •  9 Vince Hall – RS Senior
  • 11 Xavier Adibi – RS Senior
  • 13 Corey Gordon – RS Senior
  • 26 Cody Grimm – RS Sophomore
  • 33 Brett Warren – RS Junior
  • 41 Cam Martin – RS Sophomore
  • 45 Purnell Sturdivant – RS Junior
  • 46 Hunter Ovens – Freshman
  • 52 Barquell Rivers – Freshman
  • 82 Steven Friday – RS Freshman
  • 89 Jonas Houseright – RS Junior
Free Safety
  • 23 Mario Edwards – RS Freshman[10]
  • 25 D.J. Parker – Senior
  • 31 Davon Morgan – Freshman
Rover
  • 17 Kam Chancellor – Sophomore
  • 24 Dorian Porch – RS Sophomore
  • 86 Matt Reidy – Sophomore
Snapper[11]
  • 63 Matt Tuttle – Junior
  • 54 Bart McMillin – RS Senior
  • 61 Scott King – Senior
Punter
Place Kicker
  •    Dustin Keys – RS Sophomore
  •    Matt Waldron – RS Freshman
  • 92 Jud Dunlevy – RS Senior
  • 98 Jared Develli – Senior
Athlete
  •    Kendrick Pressley – Freshman
Source: hokiesports.com Archived 2013-11-02 at the Wayback Machine[5]

Starters are in bold, based on pre-season depth chart from the 2007 media guide

Recruiting

National Signing Day was on 2007-02-07. The Hokies' recruiting class was highlighted by Tyrod Taylor, who was rated the #1 dual threat quarterback in the country. Taylor was announced as the Hokies' #2 quarterback on August 21.[13]

Below is a list of the recruits that signed their letter of intent with Virginia Tech:

US college sports recruiting information for recruits
Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight 40‡ Commit date
Will Alvarez
OL		 Woodbridge, Virginia C. D. Hylton 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 315 lb (143 kg) 5.6 Jun 15, 2006 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:4/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 77
Brandon Barden[14]
TE		 Lincolnton, Georgia Lincoln County 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 211 lb (96 kg) 4.6 Jan 1, 2006 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 71
Kwamaine Battle
DT		 Bailey, North Carolina Southern Nash 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 260 lb (120 kg) 4.9 Jul 8, 2006 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:2/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 71
Jaymes Brooks
OL		 Newport News, Virginia Denbigh 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 290 lb (130 kg) 4.93 Jul 28, 2007 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 40
Collin Carroll
LS/C		 Hopkins, Minnesota Edina 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 260 lb (120 kg) - Jan 29, 2007 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:2/5 stars   Rivals:2/5 stars   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 40
Danny Coale
WR		 Lexington, Virginia Episcopal 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 4.42 Jun 14, 2006 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:2/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 69
Blake DeChristopher
OL		 Midlothian, Virginia Clover Hill 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 310 lb (140 kg) 5 Jul 5, 2005 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:4/5 stars   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 79
Chris Drager
TE		 Jefferson Hills, Pennsylvania Thomas Jefferson 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 234 lb (106 kg) 4.8 Jul 9, 2006 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 74
Darren Evans
RB		 Indianapolis Warren Central 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 217 lb (98 kg) 4.71 Jul 15, 2006 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:4/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 79
Cris Hill
DB		 Highland Springs, Virginia Highland Springs 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 4.4 Dec 14, 2006 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:4/5 stars   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 78
Andrew Lanier
TE		 Spartanburg, South Carolina Dorman 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 250 lb (110 kg) 4.7 Jul 6, 2006 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:2/5 stars   Rivals:2/5 stars   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 40
Ibn Latif
OL		 Midlothian, Virginia Manchester 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 290 lb (130 kg) 4.92 Jul 31, 2006 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 74
Davon Morgan
ATH		 Richmond, Virginia Varina 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 186 lb (84 kg) 4.58 Jul 26, 2006 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:4/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 77
Greg Nosal
TE		 Virginia Beach, Virginia Kellam 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 255 lb (116 kg) 5 Jul 25, 2007 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:2/5 stars   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 40
Quillie Odom
LB		 Potomac, Virginia Osbourn Park 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 4.6 May 31, 2006 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 71
Josh Oglesby
RB		 Garner, North Carolina Garner 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 4.43 Jul 15, 2006 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 77
Hunter Ovens
LB		 Sarasota, Florida Cardinal Mooney 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 4.5 Aug 21, 2006 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:4/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 74
Kendrick Pressley
ATH		 Sumter, South Carolina Sumter 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) 168 lb (76 kg) 4.62 Oct 20, 2006 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:2/5 stars   Rivals:2/5 stars   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 40
Courtney Prince
DT		 Brandywine, Maryland Gwynn Park 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 253 lb (115 kg) 5 Jul 31, 2006 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:2/5 stars   Rivals:2/5 stars   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 69
Barquell Rivers
LB		 Wadesboro, North Carolina Anson 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) 208 lb (94 kg) 4.5 Aug 1, 2006 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 78
Tyrod Taylor
QB		 Hampton, Virginia Hampton 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 4.55 Jul 21, 2006 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:5/5 stars   Rivals:5/5 stars   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 84
Patrick Terry
WR		 South Boston, Virginia Halifax County 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 4.5 Jul 8, 2006 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:2/5 stars   Rivals:2/5 stars   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 40
D.J. Thomas
ATH		 Ashland, Virginia Patrick Henry 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) 170 lb (77 kg) 4.56 Aug 15, 2006 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:4/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 78
Alonzo Tweedy
ATH		 Richmond, Virginia Hermitage 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 173 lb (78 kg) 4.5 Jul 31, 2006 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:2/5 stars   Rivals:2/5 stars   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 74
Justin Young
DE		 Germantown, Maryland Northwest 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 255 lb (116 kg) 4.8 Jul 25, 2006 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 40
Overall recruiting rankings: Scout: 24   Rivals: 29
  • ‡ Refers to 40 yard dash
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height, weight and 40 time.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "Virginia Tech 2007 Football Commitments". Rivals.com. Retrieved March 5, 2007.
  • "2007 Virginia Tech Commits". Scout.com. Retrieved March 5, 2007.
  • "2007 Player Commitments – Virginia Tech". ESPN.com. Retrieved March 5, 2007.
  • "Scout.com Team Recruiting Rankings". Scout.com. Retrieved March 5, 2007.
  • "2007 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved March 5, 2007.

Post-season awards

Following the Hokies' victory over Virginia, which clinched the division title, Xavier Adibi, Chris Ellis, Victor Harris, and Eddie Royal were honored as first team all-ACC, while Barry Booker, Duane Brown and Brandon Flowers were recognized on the second team.[15]

References
  1. "Flowers named AP All-American". Archived from the original on April 17, 2007. Retrieved March 21, 2007.
  2. "Athletics department makes announcement on upcoming sporting events". Archived from the original on April 18, 2007. Retrieved April 18, 2007.
  3. "College GameDay to open season in Blacksburg". Hokiesports.com. June 27, 2007. Archived from the original on June 29, 2007. Retrieved June 27, 2007.
  4. "Virginia Tech Football". Virginia Polytechnic and State University. Retrieved October 27, 2011.
  5. "Hokiesports.com :: Football :: Roster". Archived from the original on November 2, 2013. Retrieved March 21, 2007.
  6. "Beamer announces quarterback change". hokiesports.com. September 10, 2007. Archived from the original on January 3, 2013. Retrieved September 10, 2007.
  7. Grant Throckmorton is the holder field goal holder
  8. Elan Lewis suffered a season-ending injury during fall practice and will not play for the 2007 season. See .
  9. "Jason Adjepong Worilds was formerly named Jason Adjepong - see". Archived from the original on July 16, 2007. Retrieved July 11, 2007.
  10. "Edwards leaves football squad". hokiesports.com. October 1, 2007. Retrieved October 1, 2007.
  11. Bart McMillin is the long snapper (punts) and Scott King is the short snapper (field goals).
  12. Brian Saunders is also a scout team quarterback.
  13. "Beamer announces depth chart changes". hokiesports.com. August 21, 2007. Retrieved August 21, 2007.
  14. Barden enrolled at Tech for the Spring 2007 semester, then transferred to Vanderbilt after spring practice
  15. "Four Hokies make first-team All-ACC". November 26, 2007. Archived from the original on November 29, 2007. Retrieved November 26, 2007.

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