BLACKSBURG – Kicker John Love will wear the No. 25 jersey this weekend during the Hokies’ home opener against Marshall. This will be the second time the redshirt sophomore has carried on the legacy of historic Virginia Tech head coach Frank Beamer.
Love first wore No. 25 as a redshirt freshman last season against Louisville, where he successfully kicked his only field goal attempt of the day (44 yards). When the Spartanburg, South Carolina native dons the jersey this weekend, he will join a long list of two-time recipients that includes current Hokie wide receiver Tucker Holloway and kicker Kyle Lowe.
The redshirt sophomore kicked in all 13 games for the Hokies last season, drilling 22 of 24 field goal attempts and converting 47 of 47 extra points. His 91.7% field goal percentage ranked sixth in the country and second highest in the ACC behind North Carolina kicker Noah Burnette (95%). Against Vanderbilt, Love maintained his strong accuracy when he made both of his two field goal attempts (40 long) and converted on all three extra points.
The weekly tradition of wearing No. 25 started in 2016 and has continued each season. Each week, a member of the special teams wears the number to recognize how influential Frank Beamer was to Tech football both as a player and a coach. The jersey number was retired in 2002. Fans can find more information on who has worn the jersey here.
𝑩𝒆𝒂𝒎𝒆𝒓 𝑩𝒂𝒍𝒍 #25: John Love 🦃#ThisIsHome | @johnlove97 pic.twitter.com/pZpdxnxIYJ
— Virginia Tech Football (@HokiesFB) September 5, 2024