Damien Dozier Celebrates His Birthday, Commits to Virginia Tech

Today is Damien Dozier's birthday. He turned 18 years old. He also announced his verbal commitment to Virginia Tech on Twitter.

I'm excited to announce my commitment to be a Virginia Tech HOKIE see ya in Blacksburg.#HOKIENATION #2015 #blessed— Damien Dozier (@TheDDozier) July 7, 2014

It was an important day in the young man's life. "It was two big things to get out of the way at the same time," Dozier told me, "It was a special day, for a special occasion."

Cornell Brown, Damien's primary recruiter, and Virginia Tech's coaching staff knew the news a day in advance.

"I actually called Coach Brown the day before and let him know I was going to go ahead and commit tomorrow." Dozier continued, "He told me he was real happy." "He told me I made his day," he said as he chuckled.

According to Dozier, he's going to have the opportunity to play both defensive end and whip when arrives in Blacksburg.

"I'm comfortable playing wherever they need me, but I think I'll be playing a little bit of both; d-end and outside linebacker."

Dozier played last season for Virginia Episcopal School in Lynchburg, Virginia after transferring from Enloe High School in Raleigh, North Carolina and reclassifying as a fourth-year junior. This season he won't be playing football. Instead, he'll be getting bigger, faster, stronger, and practicing at Knightdale High School back in North Carolina with the plan to enroll early at Virginia Tech. He couldn't graduate from VES halfway through the year, and due to an eight semester rule in North Carolina, he's ineligible to participate in games there.

Chip Jones was an assistant at VES and coached Damien last season. He's now VES' head coach. Jones described Dozier's play on the field to me as athletic, very aggressive, and fearless. Jones said Damien was VES' defensive weapon. He also told me Damien is so strong and physical that sometimes he relied on his natural abilities too much which left him susceptible to misreading trap and counter plays. That's a common shortcoming of many gifted D-1 bound high school athletes.

It seems that Tech is fortunate enough to be getting a better person than player. As Jones said with conviction, "I love the kid... He's very affable and outgoing... He's a great kid."

Clemson was another program interested in Dozier. The Tigers had Damien's attention too, but they never offered him an official scholarship. An offer down the road shouldn't concern Tech fans.

"I'm in Blacksburg now, I'm definitely 100% with Virginia Tech."