BLACKSBURG – The boys are back in town!
The bulk of Tech's 2020 football squad is back on campus with classes resuming at Virginia Tech on Tuesday. The Hokies are ready for the official start of the winter conditioning program under the direction of Ben Hilgart and his staff on Wednesday. The ACC is also slated to unveil the schedule of conference games for the 2020 campaign on Wednesday morning. Here are some additional important pieces of info as the Hokies begin the next stage of preparations for the 2020 season, including notes on early enrollees and another honor for T Christian Darrisaw.
Early Enrollees on Campus
Head coach Justin Fuente confirmed on Tuesday that five scholarship student-athletes have enrolled early and are on campus in Blacksburg. That list includes DL Derrell Bailey, Jr. (Greenback, Tenn.), RB Raheem Blackshear (transfer from Rutgers), OL Parker Clements (Lugoff, S.C.), RB Khalil Herbert (transfer from Kansas) and RB Marco Lee (transfer from Coffeyville CC).
Weight Room Renovations & More
Change is afoot all across Tech's football facilities in Blacksburg. First, a nearly $4.5 million renovation and expansion project will nearly double the functional workout space in Tech's strength and conditioning facility located in the Merryman Center. The total square footage of the functional space will increase from approximately 6,900 square football to over 12,300 square feet. The new design of the strength and conditioning area will take better advantage of existing space, while moving a refueling station for post-workout nutrition directly adjacent to the current weight room.
In addition, a comprehensive renovation and reconfiguration of the team's position meeting rooms is underway, while work continues on the estimated $16.5 million Student-Athlete Performance Center that will benefit all of Tech's athletic programs. Structural steel for the 17,000 square foot is currently being installed for the facility that will encompass the entire fourth floor of the Jamerson Athletic Center. Space for dining, nutrition, donor hospitality, recruiting areas and a seamless connection to Cassell Coliseum concourse will be part of the new addition. When completed, the center will feature panoramic views of Lane Stadium and a balcony overlooking the Steve Johnson practice fields.
2020 Schedule Coming on Wednesday
The ACC will officially unveil the conference's 2020 schedule on Wednesday morning. We already know that Tech's seven-game home schedule includes a three-game September slate at Lane Stadium. That early-season home stretch begins with an in-state, non-conference tilt vs. Liberty on Sept. 5, followed by a highly-anticipated meeting with Penn State on Sept. 12 and concludes with a home contest vs. North Alabama on Sept. 26. The Hokies will play a road non-conference at Middle Tennessee State on Sept. 19.
Darrisaw Named ACC's Top Returning Offensive Lineman
PFF College recently announced its list of the top 10 returning FBS offensive linemen. Tech's Christian Darrisaw was the lone ACC player on that list, coming in as the No. 9 returning O-lineman in the nation. As a true sophomore for the Hokies in 2019, Darrisaw has started all 13 games at left tackle for Tech in 2019. The Upper Marlboro, Maryland native helped jumpstart Tech's rushing game in the regular season's final eight regular season games as the Hokies averaged 184.4 rushing ypg. & scored 17 rushing TDs over that span.