BLACKSBURG – Head coach Justin Fuente and Associate AD for Strength and Conditioning Ben Hilgart presented the top performers in Tech's 2021 strength and conditioning program with hard hats in a team meeting on Wednesday.
The highly-coveted hard hats were earned by a record 62 players based on a number of criteria established by Fuente, Hilgart and the staff. In addition to meeting or exceeding physical performance and testing goals, attitude, enthusiasm and leadership are also factored into the equation.
LB Dax Hollifield was crowned the overall 2021 Hard Hat Champion with WR Luke Bussel and DT Norell Pollard coming in right behind Hollifield in the standings. COVID-19 wiped out spring practice and the Hard Hat Awards for Tech in 2020. In 2019, the last time the awards were presented, 44 players received the honor with DT Jarrod Hewitt winning the overall title.
BIG SQUAT FRIDAY ❗️
— Virginia Tech Football (@HokiesFB) April 30, 2021
Finished off Max Week with a 700-pound squat by @MaxxPhilpott55 💪#BSF 🏋🏾♂️ | #HST 👷🏽♂️ pic.twitter.com/LQrKox3Ko2
Here's a look at how the top 10 stacked up for the Hokies.
2021 Hard Hat Winners – Top 10
Dax Hollifield
Luke Bussel
Norell Pollard
Braxton Burmeister
Brock Hoffman & Lecitus Smith (tie)
Marco Lee
Josh Fuga
Keshon Artis
Maxx Philpott
Additional 2021 Hat Hard Recipients (52 players in alpha order)
Eli Adams
Amaré Barno
Emmanuel Belmar
Raheem Blackshear
Cole Blaker
Connor Blumrick
Tink Boyd
Sam Brooks
Jordan Brunson
Nikolai Bujnowski
Armani Chatman
Chamarri Conner
DaShawn Crawford
Tae Daley
Drake DeIuliis
Silas Dzansi
Ty Eller
Tahj Gary
Jaylen Griffin
Jalen Hampton
Jesse Hanson
Ny'Quee Hawkins
Jalen Holston
Jalen Hoyle
Trevor Jackson
Matt Johnson
Nyke Johnson
Jaylen Jones
Knox Kadum
Mario Kendricks
Keshawn King
Keondré Ko
Da'Wain Lofton
James Mitchell
Kaden Moore
Nashun Overton
Jaden Payoute
Wilfried Pene
Nasir Peoples
Michael Peterson
Justin Pollock
John Ransom
Tayvion Robinson
John Parker Romo
Noah Sage
Oscar Shadley
Luke Tenuta
Nadir Thompson
J.R. Walker
Jermaine Waller
Byron Whitehead
Robert WootenGallery: (5-5-2021) 2021 VIRGINIA TECH FOOTBALL HARD HAT AWARDS