Virginia Tech Football: The 7 Most Electrifying Players of the Frank Beamer Era

Going into the 2011-2012 college football season, Frank Beamer has an overall record of 198-95-2 at Virginia Tech.  

He is No. 2 among active college football coaches with 244 Division I wins and is currently riding an astounding 18-year streak of NCAA bowl appearances.

Since 1995, there have been only two teams with more victories than Virginia Tech, Ohio State and Florida.

Clearly, his coaching skills are superb.  But you don't win that many of games without some pretty darn good players.  Here, we're counting down the seven most electrifying players of the Frank Beamer era.

Tyrod Taylor (2007-2010)

Ranked as the No. 1 dual threat QB in the nation by Rivals, Taylor chose VT and contributed immediately. Despite the QB controversy with Sean Glennon, Taylor prevailed and showed his true talents. 

Hokie Football Stats

Most career completed passes (495)

Most career passing yards (7,017)

Most TD passes in a single season (24)

Third most career TD passes (44)

14th in career net rushing yards (2,196)

23 Rushing TDs

Most offensive yards in a season (3,402 in 2010)

2010 ACC Offensive Player of The Year and 2010 ACC Player of the Year

Victor Harris (2005-2008)

Victor "Macho" Harris was a ball-hawking DB who also had a nose for the end zone.  Not only did he make you pay with a turnover, but he could house it for six in a split second. 

Hokie Football Stats

Third in career INTs (15)

Most career INT returns for TD (4)

Most INT returns for TD in a single game (2)

278 INT return yards

Led VT in INTs three out of four years (2005, 2006, 2008)

2007 and 2008 All-ACC First Team CB

2008 Sporting News All-American First Team CB

2008 Associated Press All-American Second Team CB

Antonio Freeman (1991-1994)

Antonio Freeman was a dominant WR/PR for the Hokies.  After four great years as a Hokie, Freeman went on to have an illustrious career with the Green Bay Packers.  He held the Super Bowl record for longest TD catch at 81 yards (since broken). 

Hokie Football Stats

Most career TD receptions (22)

Most single season TD receptions (9)

Most single game punt return yards (164)

2,296 career receiving yards

1993 and 1994 2nd team All-Big East WR

1994 2nd team All-Big East PR

Kevin Jones (2001-2003)

Kevin Jones was half of a tenacious Hokie backfield with Lee Suggs.  Jones was a running back with scary breakaway speed that led to multiple 75-plus yard runs in his career.  He scored 21 rushing TDs as a senior. 

Hokie Football Stats

Second in career rushing yards (3,475)

Highest yards-per-carry average (5.64)

Second most 100+ rushing yard games (15)

36 total rushing TDs

2001 Big East Rookie of the Year

2003 All-ACC First Team RB

2003 Consensus All-American First Team RB Sporting News, Walter Camp, Football Writers Association, American Football Coaches Association, Associated Press (Second-Team)

DeAngelo Hall (2001-2003)

He ran the fastest 40 time in Hokie History at 4.15 seconds.  Hall showed extreme athletic ability by playing WR/DB/PR in 2003.  When he touched the football, anything was possible.  Hall scored a TD in five different ways (rushing, receiving, punt return, interception return and fumble return). 

Hokie Football Stats

15-yard punt return average

Five career punt return TDs

2002 All-Big East Second Team CB and PR

2003 All-Big East First Team CB and PR

2003 Big East Special Teams Player of the Year

2003 Sporting News All-American Second Team DB

Eddie Royal (2004-2006)

Royal was dangerous.  Just dangerous.  As a punt returner, kick returner and wide receiver, he scored 18 career touchdowns.  In 2006 Royal led the team in receiving, punt returns and kick returns and led the ACC in punt returns. 

Hokie Football Stats

12 career TD receptions

Two career rushing TDs

Three career punt returns for a TD

Career 14.9 yards per catch average

One TD pass

2006 All-ACC Second Team return specialist

2007 All-ACC First Team return specialist

Michael Vick (1999-2000)

Michael Vick is one of the most electrifying players of all time, not just in the Frank Beamer era.  He is the dual threat QB.  There is nobody else like Vick. 

Hokie Football Stats

3,074 career passing yards

22 career passing touchdowns

16 career rushing touchdowns

20-1 as Hokie starter (including bowl games)

All stats compiled in only two years

1999 Sporting News All-American First Team QB

1999 Associated Press All-American Second Team QB

No. 1 pick in the 2001 NFL Draft