Seven Hokies named to 2017 VaSID All-State TeamSeven Hokies named to 2017 VaSID All-State Team
Football

Seven Hokies named to 2017 VaSID All-State Team

BLACKSBURG – The Virginia Tech placed seven players on the 2017 Virginia Sports Information Directors University Division All-State Team, voted on by the state’s sports information directors and released Friday.

Headlining the selections for the Hokies are three seniors: WR Cam Phillips, G Wyatt Teller and K Joey Slye. Junior LB Tremaine Edmunds was also a first-team selection. Meanwhile, a trio of Tech defensive standouts earned spots on the second team: senior CB Greg Stroman, junior DT Ricky Walker and sophomore DT Tim Settle.

Phillips departs Tech as the school’s all-time leader in receptions (236) and receiving yards (3,027). The Laurel, Maryland product was a first-team All-ACC selection after leading the Hokies and ranking fifth in the ACC with 71 receptions. His 964 receiving yards ranked third in the league, while his seven TD catches tied for third. His 14 receptions at East Carolina set Tech’s single-game record for receptions.

Teller anchored a Virginia Tech offensive line that permitted only 23.0 sacks on the season. He started in all 13 games at left guard and started 24 consecutive games, the longest streak on the Tech offense. Pro Football Focus honored Teller on their ACC Team of the Week four times last season. The Bealeton, Virginia native was the runner-up for the ACC’s Jacobs Blocking Trophy, which is presented to the conference’s most outstanding blocker. He was named to the All-ACC Bowl Team of ESPN.com after helping Tech pile up 248 rushing yards (5.0 avg.) in the Camping World Bowl. He is slated to compete in the Senior Bowl on Saturday.

Slye finished his career with a historic final season for the Hokies, breaking Shayne Graham’s career record of 68 made field goals made with 78. He also breaking Graham’s career points record 371 with 403. The Stafford, Virginia native also was tied for eighth in the country in touchbacks and second on the country in touchback percentage with 84.13 %.

Edmunds enjoyed his second straight 100-tackle campaign for the Hokies in 2017 as he led the team with 109 tackles (60 solo) tackles for loss (14), sacks (5.5) and forced fumbles (3). A third-team All-American and first-team All-ACC selection by the conference’s coaches and media, helped anchor a Virginia Tech defense that paced the Power Five with 21 Red Zone scores and allowed three shutouts, the most in the nation.

The Danville, Virginia was also a finalist for the Butkus Award, presented to the nation’s top linebacker and the Dudley Award, given to the top FBS or FCS player in Virginia.

Stroman had a strong senior campaign, finishing the season first on the team and tied for second in the ACC in both pass breakups (11) and interceptions (4). With the help of Stroman and the rest of the Tech secondary, the Hokies finished the season second in the nation in third-down defense (26.2%). Stroman also finished second in the nation with 397 punt return yards, while adding a pair of punt return TDs. With his three non-offensive touchdowns (1 INT/2 PR), Stroman moved into second in Tech history with six career return scores, trailing only behind DeAngelo Hall (7).

Walker was second on the team the team in tackles for loss with 12.5, earning All-ACC honorable mention honors and All-ACC third-team accolades from Phil Steele. He finished the season with 41 tackles, 4.5 sacks, six quarterback hurries, one pass break up and one fumble recovery for a touchdown.

Settle had an outstanding sophomore campaign, tying second on the team in tackles for loss with 12.5 after contributing as role player for the Hokies in 2016. A first-team All-ACC selection by Phil Steele and a second-team selection by the associated press, the Manassas, Virginia native tallied a career high 36 tackles and four sacks on the season.