BLACKSBURG – Virginia Tech football's Cole Nelson will wear the No. 25 jersey during the primetime conference game against Syracuse.
Thursday night inside Lane Stadium will be Nelson's first time wearing Frank Beamer's iconic number. The junior edge rusher is the first lineman this season to be given the honor. Nelson is the fifth student-athlete in 2023 to be selected to wear the No. 25 jersey for the first time.
"It's a blessing, Beamer ball," Nelson said. "I'm just ready to go out there and show the fans what we can do out there."
The Johns Creek, Georgia native has amassed 15 total tackles and 1.5 sacks this season, recording four total tackles in each of the last two contests. Yet, a big factor that likely played in Nelson's favor was his execution of the fake punt against Wake Forest. The former tight end took the direct snap 18 yards on 4th and 6, which extended the drive to an eventual Tech field goal.
See Nelson rock the No. 25 jersey in person with tickets starting at $60.
Tech retired Frank Beamer's No. 25 jersey in 2002, and since the start of the 2016 season, the Hokies have been paying homage to Tech's legacy of excellence on special teams by selecting a different special teams athlete each week to wear the honorary Beamer 25 jersey. For more information on who has worn it in the past.
