Top Hokies Football Players
Virginia Tech has been fortunate and prudent enough to find and enlist dome of the most talented football players in the state and beyond. To honor their choices and their heroes, we have compiled a humble list of some of the greatest football players the Hokies have had on over the years. They may not have a huge number of famous chess players or Formula 1 drivers, but football is their field. If you do not see your favorite player here, don’t fret. If we had enough time and space, we would have written extensive biographies for each one of these warriors. Now, without further ado, here are the football stars.
Bryan Randall
Randall made his mark in his sophomore year. He caught a lucky break by replacing the injured Grant Noel, allowing him to score 12 touchdowns with his throws and three with rushes. More importantly and more impressively, it was his success in the senior year that allowed the Hokies to play in their first Sugar Bowl. He is still the stuff of legends, as he set a passing record in Virginia Tech at 6,508 yards. However, we still have a long way to go before we cover the best players that came from Virginia Tech.
Tyrod Taylor
Here is a quarterback that broke several records, including the one set by Randall. Taylor passed the ball over the whopping 6,795 yards and even led the team into two ACC Championships. Not only that, but he showed what he was made of during those tournaments by winning the MVP award in both of them.
Antonio Freeman
This wide receiver was drafted by the Packers. It isn’t his exploits while he was one of the Hokies that put him on this list. It is his 477 passes and 61 touchdowns in 1995, as well as the win against the Patriots in the Super Bowl. His quality as a player is best demonstrated by his appearance in the Packers Hall of Fame.
Michael Vick
Michael Vick is regarded by some as one of the best players of Virginia Tech, period. The quarterback has broken several records with his passing of the ball, one of which was in 1999 for the most passes as a freshman in the NCAA. After graduating, he was drafted first by the Falcons, though he played for the Eagles, the Jets, and the Steelers later. He retired in 2016, though he coached and consulted a few times in the following years.
Bruce Smith
This is the only player whose success trumps even that of Vick. Not only is he the best players the Hokies ever had on their team, but he is also considered one of the top players in NFL history. After entering the Virginia Tech Hall of Fame, he was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in 1985. As a skilled defensive player, he is most known for his sacks. He was named the Defensive Player of the Year for several years by Associated Press, NEA, and the United Press International. Truly one of the best there ever was or will be.
