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Perhaps "transform" was a bit strong, but when thinking about some of those names up there - Smith, Beamer, Vick - you tend to think that each had a huge impact on VT's appearance and staying power on the national stage. Grove fits that mold as well.
Well, I suppose that depends on your point of view.
i'm aware of that, and i'm not saying grove doesnt deserve his honors. i'm a big jake grove fan. i yearn for some more hogmollies like him. but he didnt transform the program or anything like that.
So I've got three reasons why I like you. #1 we're both hokies. Duh. #2 we're both packers fans. #3 I see you're from the 757. I grew up in Norfolk myself.
This.
I love the idea of more VT players helping disadvantaged kids but just as the Thoroughbreds should advise kids to go where it's best for the kid, so should Tyrod and any other VT player. That being said recruits and their parents are not stupid and will know Tyrod's connection to VT. If you as a recruit really want a chance to go to VT you would most likely choose his over any others. But Frank should keep the same rules that parental contact is the primary contact for all 7v7 organizations IMO.
Indeed. He won several awards, including being named an All-American. The Rimington Trophy is, of course, a big one. I think the recognition he received, several years after the National Title run under Vick, maintained or otherwise further elevated our status as a top destination for top players in college football.
http://www.hokiesports.com/retired/
Thankfully, the VT athletic dept came up with a policy that makes the line pretty clear on who gets retired and who misses the cut.
You have to win a major national individual award to be considered. Heisman, Walter Camp, Maxwell, Nagurski, etc. In other words, you have to be the elite of the elite.
The only other VT QB up there is Michael Vick. Heisman Finalist, ESPY player of the year winner, National Championship Appearance. And my favorite stat - 20-1 as a starter.
Tyrod is in that 2nd tier of great Hokies along with TD Lee Suggs, Kevin Jones, Shayne Graham, Vince Hall, Macho Harris to name a few. Great careers and great Hokies - just not elite.
Jake Grove won the Rimington Trophy, awarded to the best Offensive Lineman in the nation, in 2003. He more than fits the mold of a retired jersey awardee for us.
Tyrod was an amazing player but standards are set for a reason. Tyrod is a top 5 QB all time at VT imo and if he had a chance to RS I believe he would've had VT contending for a national championship in 2011.
He doesn't deserve to get his jersey retired though.
It's called pierogi and they are fabulous.
It wasn't that we were against 7x7, it's that the 'breds, with the information we know, look more like a booster team than one with the kids 100% personal development in mind.
did jake grove change our trajectory?
I dont get why they retire Jerseys. Vick and Tyrod should both go to the VT Hall of Fame. But, it is an honor for some kids to wear the number 5 or 7 jersey. It sets the standard for current and future Hokies and boost confidence. Just my opinion.
Did not know that. Would the hearts of Hokies everywhere be a close substitute?
No. He was a great leader for VT that probably won us more games than we deserved under Stiney and O'Cain, but no. We give that honor to guys that were regarded as one of the best players at their respective position nationally while they were at Tech. We reserve it for the truly national elite players. At a certain point, you have to admit that we benefitted from a weaker ACC while he was here, and he was never really regarded as that nationally elite player. He was a regional star, but he never entered the conversation for the Heisman, or any awards, outside the ones handed out in the ACC or the Commonwealth. In my opinion, he just doesn't fit the mold of one deserving of having their jersey retired, despite how good he was for us.
So are we now supporting 7v7 teams? Just last week everyone was dogging the Breds saying we should stay very far away from that kind of stuff. I'm for whatever can get us top talent as long as we don't do anything stupid to jeopardize the program. And best believe, the Breds will be all over this just looking for some kind of infraction to call Tyrod/us out on, so I hope we don't give them anything.
But I love how Tyrod did this simultaneously with the article about the Breds last week. That's school pride right there. "Oh you want to hate on the Hokies do you? Well how about this....." Tyrod's the man!
How are the models looking today?
Grant Noel.
....said no one ever.
I would have to say No.....Tyrod was and is a great QB. He was our leader at VT and was a thrill to watch on the field. With that being said, he never took us to the NTCG and did not win any major college awards. I believe for a jersey or number to be retired, you have to be a "household name" nationally and change a program for the better.
No.
#getoffmylawn
I could Kam Chancellor getting involved as well in some capacity, he makes quite a few trips to the area during the year...
Imqagine if he would have come back for 1 more season. The D we had in 01 was pretty damned good, Suggs was there (though he got hurt when he shouldn't have been in the game), KJ as a sensational freshman. I think that would have been our year.
Ah, I see what you did there...
Thanks again for the awesome article... as always French! I truly believe that even though there will be a learning curve from high school to college OL play....this recruiting class is the start of something very special in Blacksburg. Give it a few years and not only will VT be THE #DBU but we just might also be labeled the #OLU....Go Hokies!
I thought they retired CFBs number too.