Virginia Tech Football

HEIGHT: 6'1"

WEIGHT: 185

HAND: 9¼”

ARM: 30⅞”

WINGSPAN: 76⅛”

---

40-YARD DASH: 4.50

3-CONE: 6.60

SHUTTLE: 4.05

VERTICAL: 36"

BROAD: 10'0"

---

POSITIVES

— Long-limbed athlete with good overall size. Does a great job of using his length to his advantage.

— Smooth athlete who shows to have loose hips to flip and swivel.

— Strong press man defender who slides his feet well to keep leverage and uses his hands well to disrupt routes.

— Very good ball skills. Does a good job of getting his head around to find the ball and ability to play the ball, more so with short and intermediate routes.

— Wrap tackler who shows to be secure in open field tackling.

---

NEGATIVES

— Inconsistent with pad level which inhibits his transitions.

—Can get too handsy when working downfield, especially when caught out of position. Lacks recovery speed downfield.

— Gambler who consistently looks to undercut routes, taking poor angles and losing positioning. He often falls out of phase with receivers.

— Reverts to face guarding downfield, as he is slow to get his head around to find them ball.

---

2024 STATISTICS

— 12 Games, 32 Tackles, 2 INT, 8 PBU, 1 FF

---

NOTES

— Born March 14, 2002

— Games Started: 44

— 3-star recruit in the 2020 class, per 247Sports

— 2023: Third Team All-ACC

---

OVERALL

Dorian Strong is a long-limbed cornerback who leverages his size and athleticism to disrupt routes and make plays on the ball. His press-man coverage skills and ball-hawking tendencies make him a highly competitive defender, but he has areas to clean up in his technique and consistency.

Strong excels in press-man coverage, utilizing his length and footwork to disrupt routes at the line of scrimmage. His smooth athleticism allows him to swivel his hips and transition well on shorter routes, showcasing good ball skills in intermediate zones. However, he struggles with maintaining proper pad level, often leading to separation on deeper routes. His gambling nature and reliance on undercutting routes can sometimes pull him out of phase, and his lack of elite recovery speed is a concern downfield.

Strong is willing to engage in the run game, with secure wrap tackling being one of his strengths. His ability to close on ball-carriers in space helps his overall run defense, though his size and physicality are still developing. He takes sound angles and demonstrates a strong understanding of leverage, making him reliable in run support.

Dorian Strong projects as a mid-round pick, offering potential as a starting outside cornerback with the right coaching. His length, ball skills, and press coverage ability make him valuable in man-heavy schemes. However, he must improve his technique, especially in downfield coverage, to avoid giving up big plays.

---

GRADE: 7.0 (High-Level Backup/ Potential Starter — 3rd Round)

OVERALL RANK: 102

POSITION RANK: CB14

PRO COMPARISON: Levi Wallace

---

Written by B/R NFL Scout Cory Giddings

---

Prospect workout numbers, measurables (40-yard dash, hand size, etc.) and 2024 statistics will be added at a later date.

The Virginia Tech football team took to X on Wednesday to unveil the all-orange uniforms they will wear during the 2024 season.

Both the jerseys and pants are orange, while the jersey features a white number trimmed with maroon on the front and maroon numbers trimmed with white on the shoulders. Also, the helmets are white and include a maroon "VT" logo trimmed orange:

Wait, did you guys want Orange unis? 🤔#ThisIsHome | #OrangeEffect pic.twitter.com/OKkloQiNIe

— Virginia Tech Football (@HokiesFB) October 16, 2024

As part of the post on X, Virginia Tech included the hashtag #OrangeEffect, which is in reference to the four "effect games" announced by the school this season.

The Hokies wore all white for the "White Effect" game against Rutgers last month, so it stands to reason that they will wear the all-orange unis Thursday night against Boston College for the "Orange Effect" game.

While the Hokies have worn orange on orange a few times in their existence, it is a rare color combination since they traditionally sport maroon jerseys.

If nothing else, the Orange Effect should influence plenty of fan involvement on Thursday when Virginia Tech hosts Boston College at Lane Stadium in Blacksburg.

It has been an up-and-down season for the Hokies thus far, as they sit at 3-3 and are battling for bowl eligibility.

Following a season-opening loss to a Vanderbilt team that later went on to upset then-No. 1 Alabama, VT secured back-to-back wins over Marshall and Old Dominion.

The Hokies then lost by three to a Rutgers team that is now 4-2 and by four to a Miami team that is 6-0 and ranked No. 6 in the nation.

Virginia Tech bounced back two weeks ago and got its first ACC win of the season, crushing Stanford 31-7 on the road.

Thursday will mark another in-conference game against 4-2 Boston College, and a win would have the Hokies trending toward their second consecutive bowl game appearance under head coach Brent Pry.

HEIGHT: 6'1"

WEIGHT: 187

---

POSITIVES

— Smooth athlete with fluid hips to swivel, paired with very good reaction and twitch to match receivers. Displays very good lateral movement and quickness to get into the receiver's hip pocket.

— Does a good job of getting out of his breaks with a very good burst and great closing speed.

— Good zone player with vision and awareness. Shows the ability to read the quarterback's eyes and play the ball when thrown.

— Calm with the ball in the air. Exhibits great body control and timing to rip through the receiver's hands.

— An ultra-competitive player with a short memory who comes to compete each play.

— Efficient tackler who strikes the ball-carrier through the thigh boards and secures with wrap tackles. Shows good physicality to take on blocks.

---

NEGATIVES

— Functional strength allows him to get pushed around by bigger receivers.

— Lacks attention to detail in coverage. He gives up leverage in press; shows lackluster pad-level; which are a couple of things that aid him in allowing separation.

— Wandering eyes can occasionally pull him out of position in coverage and against the run. Narrowed vision in zone can lead to him missing threats coming into his zone.

---

NOTES

— Born Dec. 15, 2003

— 3-Star recruit in the 2022 class, per 247Sports

— 2023 Military Bowl; Freshman All-American (FWAA)

---

OVERALL

Mansoor Delane is a highly competitive cornerback prospect with smooth athleticism, ideal size, and fluid movement. At 6'1" and 187 pounds, Delane pairs his length with quickness and lateral agility, making him a formidable player in both man and zone coverages. He is an instinctive and reactive defender who has shown great promise early in his college career. His competitive mindset and adaptability on the field make him a prospect with high potential in multiple defensive schemes.

Delane excels in coverage, utilizing his fluid hips and lateral quickness to stick with receivers in man coverage. His burst out of breaks and closing speed allow him to stay competitive, especially when playing off-man or zone. Delane does a good job of reading the quarterback's eyes and timing his plays on the ball, showing great composure when the ball is in the air and using his body control to rip through the receiver's hands. He is best from press, where he can use his hands for control and show sticky coverage. However, Delane's lack of consistency can lead to occasional lapses. His lack of functional strength in press coverage gives bigger receivers an edge over him. He also struggles with maintaining leverage, sometimes allowing separation when he opens the gate, leading to separation downfield. Additionally, his wandering eyes can pull him out of position in both coverage and the run, and his narrow vision in zone coverage causes him to miss threats.

In run defense, Delane is a reliable tackler who strikes ball carriers through the thigh boards and secures with wrap tackles. He is efficient in his approach and demonstrates good physicality, showing the desire to fly up and support the run. However, his lack of functional strength becomes evident when facing larger ball carriers. He occasionally struggles to disengage from physical blockers, which can leave him at a disadvantage against stronger, more aggressive opponents. Despite these challenges, his competitive nature and ability to secure tackles when in position make him a solid contributor in run defense.

Mansoor Delane projects as an early-round pick with the potential to be an impact player at the next level. He has all the tools to excel, but his game needs a bit more consistency to reach its full potential. Delane's fluidity in coverage, competitive mindset, and natural athleticism make him an intriguing prospect for teams looking for a cornerback who can excel in both man and zone schemes. His ability to make plays on the ball, coupled with his athletic traits, gives him a high ceiling in the NFL. However, Delane will need to refine his strength and attention to detail in press coverage to maximize his effectiveness at the next level. With further development, he has the potential to become a key contributor in a defensive backfield.

---

GRADE: 8.0 (Year 1 Starter — Late First Round)

OVERALL RANK: 31

POSITION RANK: CB3

PRO COMPARISON: Noah Igbinoghene

---

Written by B/R NFL Scout Cory Giddings

---

Prospect workout numbers, measurables (40-yard dash, hand size, etc.) and 2024 statistics will be added at a later date.

Virginia Tech's new uniforms were officially released on Thursday.

The school revealed a series of photos on social media that showcased the Hokies' new home and away jerseys for the 2024 season.

Welp since content got released today that showed our uniforms & ruined our reveal, here are the photos a day early 🙃

P.S. there will be name plates so don’t freak out about that🫶#ThisIsHome | @CoxComm pic.twitter.com/G4UD4gtLDo

— Virginia Tech Football (@HokiesFB) July 11, 2024

While the players' name plates weren't featured on the back of the uniforms in the announcement, Virginia Tech confirmed that the names will be printed on the back at a later date.

The jerseys were initially set to release on Friday, although they were leaked in the upcoming EA Sports College Football 25 video game (h/t Matej Sis of 247Sports). So, the school decided to make the announcement early.

The new Nike uniforms feature the removal of stripes on the shoulder pads that were part of the team's previous jersey. The white helmets appear similar to the Hokies' 2023 versions, although the maroon helmets no longer feature a stripe on the middle of them.

Virginia Tech improved in 2023 under head coach Brent Pry, finishing the season with a 7-6 record after going 3-8 in 2022. The Hokies' 2023 campaign ended on a positive note, defeating Tulane in the Military Bowl by the final score of 41-20.

Pry's team will also have several familiar faces next season, with quarterback Kyron Drones set to return to the program after racking up 17 touchdown passes compared to just three interceptions last season.

Starting running back Bhayshul Tuten will also be returning to the team in 2024 after rushing for 863 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2023. He was also effective in the passing game, hauling in 27 catches for 239 yards and two more scores.

As the Hokies attempt to continue rising up the ACC standings next season, they'll also have a new look on the field.

HEIGHT: 6'0''

WEIGHT: 202

HAND: 9''

ARM: 31 3/8''

WINGSPAN: 76 1/8"

---

40-YARD DASH: 4.51

3-CONE: 6.91

SHUTTLE: 4.30

VERTICAL: 40.5''

BROAD: 10'5"

---

POSITIVES

— Above-average deep speed with good closing speed.

— Willing tackler who closes ground quickly on ball-carriers.

— Good ball skills to locate and play the ball in coverage. Uses length to his advantage.

---

NEGATIVES

— Below-average body control. Lacks desired movement skills at times.

— Can play slow at times. Can be slow processing and reacting to what he sees.

— Poor open-field tackling. Puts himself in poor positions with leverage and isn't athletic enough to recover.

— Aggressive in press but too handsy and only displays average footwork.

---

2022 STATISTICS

—10 games, 38 solo tackles, 67 total tackles, 2 TFL, 2 PBU

---

NOTES

DOB: 07/11/2000

47 starts

---

OVERALL

Chamarri Conner is a seasoned player from Virginia Tech, compiling 47 starts, four interceptions, 23 passes defended, four forced fumbles and over 300 total tackles in his career. He is a versatile player with experience in big nickel and true safety roles as well as lining up over slot tight ends. Conner is an above-average safety prospect in terms of size, speed and overall athletic ability, making him an intriguing late-round prospect.

In the pass game, Conner uses his length and athleticism to consistently play the ball. He shows above average change in direction and is able to close on receivers using his speed. Conner shows hesitancy in coverage, not making explosive breaks or demonstrating elite range, leading to deep-ball opportunities. In press coverage, he can be aggressive and use his length to take on receivers or tight ends, but his footwork is average, leading to a tendency to grab.

Conner shows good closing speed in the run game. He is able to key and diagnose the run quickly and close with speed and power. He shows a willingness to attach at the point of attack and fight through blockers. Conner is an average tackler in the open field, leading to big-play opportunities at the second level for opposing offenses.

Conner is a versatile player, showing skill sets that would translate to a strong safety that will be active in run support and be able to cover tight ends or larger receivers. Conner can set the edge in the run game, fight through blocks and close on the run with speed. His inability to tackle in open space and average footwork in coverage will hurt his ability to be reliable in coverage against NFL receiving tight ends and receivers. Conner projects to add depth to a safety room, adding size and a willingness to contribute against the run.

---

GRADE: 5.3 (Backup or UDFA with Roster Potential)

OVERALL RANK: 285

POSITION RANK: S25

PRO COMPARISON: Donovan WIlson

---

Written by B/R NFL Scout Cory Giddings

Cam Newton revealed to Eli Manning that he nearly committed to Virginia Tech because he liked their uniforms.

"I considered a school just because of the uniform: Virginia Tech," the longtime pro quarterback told the two-time Super Bowl-winning signal-caller on the latest episode of Eli's Places (h/t TMZ Sports). "That maroon orange collab."

Newton also raved about a few other schools' uniforms.

"I was hoping to get recruited by Oregon," he said. "Never happened. Hawaii: They had that dark green, black."

The Atlanta native, who played for Florida before transferring to Blinn College and then Auburn, wasn't very impressed with the SEC's looks, though.

"A lot of schools in the SEC really isn't, like, fashion," Newton said.

Newton is a free agent who played in the NFL from 2011-21. He starred for the Carolina Panthers and notably won the 2015 NFL MVP award en route to leading the team to an NFC title.

The 33-year-old is also well known for his bold fashion choices and style.

He never ended up playing for the Hokies but starred for Auburn in 2010, winning the Heisman Trophy and a national championship before the Panthers selected him No. 1 overall in the 2011 NFL draft.

The Virginia Tech Hokies fell to the Old Dominion Monarchs 20-17 in their season opener on Friday night at S.B. Ballard Stadium, but that's not all they lost.

Virginia Tech revealed that it had items stolen from its locker room during the loss, via ESPN's David M. Hale:

"The Virginia Tech athletic department confirmed there were items missing from the Virginia Tech locker room following the football game against Old Dominion in Norfolk Friday night. The university is working with law enforcement and Old Dominion University on the matter, and will have no further comment."

Friday's game was full of chaos for the Hokies.

In addition to having items stolen, the game was delayed at halftime because the Hokies had members of their coaching staff stuck in an elevator at the stadium. The delay lasted about 15 minutes.

Virginia Tech tight end Connor Blumrick also had to issue an apology after punching a fan who rushed the field following Old Dominion's win:

“I would like to sincerely apologize to ODU and Hokie Nation for my actions after last night’s game. Following an emotional loss, in trying to get to the locker room safely, there was an incident including contact between myself and a fan, that I regret. This is not an accurate reflection of my character and I am truly sorry to those I have let down including my coaches, teammates and fans."

It was a rough day overall for the Hokies, especially on offense. Quarterback Grant Wells completed just 21 of 36 passes for 193 yards and one touchdown against an unacceptable four interceptions. He also rushed for 45 yards and a score.

Running backs Keshawn King, Chance Black and Jalen Holston combined for 156 yards on the ground, and tight end Nick Gallo led all receivers with seven catches for 49 yards.

The win marked Old Dominion's second-ever victory against a Power Five opponent. The first came in 2018, also against Virginia Tech.

The Hokies will look to regroup ahead of a big matchup against Boston College on Sept. 10. The Eagles opened the season with a 22-21 loss to Rutgers on Saturday.

A lawyer for Isi Etute said the former Virginia Tech linebacker, who was found not guilty of murder in May, will transfer to and play for Iowa Western Community College during the 2022 season.

Attorney James Turk said Monday that Division I schools were not lining up to accept the transfer because he was previously under trial for murder, per David M. Hale of ESPN.

Hale noted Etute was charged with murder in the 2021 beating death of Jerry Smith. The linebacker was catfished by Smith, who portrayed himself as a woman online, and received oral sex and $50 upon their first encounter.

Etute testified during his trial that he planned on determining whether Smith was a man during their second encounter and kicked and punched him multiple times before leaving the apartment when he did. The former Hokie said he feared for his life because Smith reached toward a mattress, and police later discovered a knife hidden between the mattress and box spring.

A Virginia jury ruled the self-defense argument was plausible when it found Etute not guilty in May.

He isn't the only former Virginia Tech player who testified at the trial to leave the ACC program.

Hale noted Jordan Brunson transferred to Miami (Ohio), Jalen Hampton transferred to Elon and Da'Shawn Elder is in the transfer portal. Brunson and Hampton accompanied Smith to the apartment but never entered during the second and deadly encounter, while Elder went to the apartment but left before any sexual acts occurred during the first encounter.

Etute was part of Virginia Tech's 2021 recruiting class, and he was suspended from the team when he was charged.

A Montgomery County Circuit Court found former Virginia Tech linebacker Isimemen Etute not guilty in the May 2021 beating death of Blacksburg resident Jerry Smith, according to ESPN's David M. Hale and Tonya Simpson.

Smith and Etute initially met in April 2021 on the dating app Tinder.

According to testimony, Smith, who was an out gay man, presented himself on the app as a 21-year-old woman named Angie Renee. Etute, who thought he was meeting a woman, met Smith at his apartment on April 10. 

One of Etute's teammates, who went to Smith's apartment with him, testified that Smith hid his real identity during their encounter. Etute also testified that he received oral sex from Smith, in addition to a $50 gift, though he said he still believed Smith to be a woman. 

In May 2021, Etute and a few of his teammates returned to Smith's apartment to determine if he was who he said he was—Angie Renee, a 21-year-old woman. While his teammates waited outside, Etute determined Smith was not a woman and confronted him. 

During the confrontation, Etute testified that he believed Smith was reaching for a weapon under his bed, so he began hitting him in self-defense. When police later searched the apartment, they found a knife under Smith's mattress.

That said, Etute testified that he never saw the knife nor did he tell police in his initial June 2021 interview that he thought his life was in danger. 

Etute testified that he stomped on Smith's face as he was leaving but Smith was still breathing when he left. Security footage showed that Etute spent three minutes in Smith's apartment.

As a result of the attack, Smith ended up with nearly all of his facial bones broken, missing teeth fragments and suffered brain bleeding, according to the autopsy report. 

After the trial concluded, Etute's lawyer said that his client has "earned the right to go back to school and further his academic and sports career," adding, "I think the school that ends up taking him is going to get probably a lot wiser and a much smarter and an exceptional athlete."

Etute committed to Virginia Tech in July 2020 as a three-star prospect and the 39th overall ranked player in the 2021 class out of Virginia, per 247Sports Composite Rankings. He also had offers from Boston College and Liberty, among others.