Virginia Tech Football: Jarrett Boykin and Danny Coale Leave a Legacy

Jarrett Boykin and Danny Coale rank as the first and second receivers all time in career receptions.

While that is an interesting fact that most Hokies faithful would already know, what makes it unique is that they both are still playing in their senior years at Virginia Tech. Boykin and Coale currently line up on opposite sides of each other and serve as the primary targets for first-year starter Logan Thomas.

Boykin came from the state of North Carolina and made an immediate impact upon arrival. As a true freshman for the Hokies, the receiver led the team in receiving yards and was second in receptions with 30. From there, his numbers only continued to rise each season.

In his sophomore year, he led the team in both receptions and yards. Boykin caught 40 passes on the year for a total of 835 yards. His work in the weight room also continued to impress coaches as he racked up numerous offseason workout awards. In 2010, his junior season, he continued to climb up the Hokies record books as he led the team with 53 catches and 847 yards. He also had six touchdowns on the season.

Coale came a year earlier in 2007 but got a redshirt. When Boykin arrived as a true freshman, Coale began his redshirt freshman season, and like his fellow receiver, made an immediate impact. Coale led the team with 36 receptions and ranked second in receiving yards with 408. While he didn’t necessarily improve statistically, his play on the field was better, and he put up consistent solid numbers for the next couple of seasons.

His sophomore season, he had 30 catches for 614 yards and then followed that up with a career high 39 catches and 732 yards the next season. The receiver quickly became a fan favorite for his blue-collar work ethic and leadership on the field

Now, the two receivers are enjoying their final season in a Virginia Tech uniform and are hoping to go out in style. Boykin had 20 catches for 223 yards and two touchdowns so far this year, and Coale has 28 catches for 417 yards and two touchdowns as well.

The two receivers have had plenty of adjustments to make. The first three years with the team, they were receiving passes from Tyrod Taylor, who is arguably the greatest quarterback to ever play at Virginia Tech. This season, they are working with first-year starter Logan Thomas.

Thomas, expectedly, has went through some growing pains. The receivers have had to make adjustments and expect a different style of football to be played by their quarterback.

Despite these issues, Boykin and Coale have remained constant on their confidence of the young quarterback. They remain supportive of his play, and their trust in him proved to be worthy last week when Thomas had a career day passing that included touchdown passes to both receivers.

Now, there are just six regular season games remaining and either one or two bowl games. The Hokies currently sit at 5-1 but remain in a great position to win another Coastal Division title and play in the ACC championship.

Coale, Boykin and the rest of the Hokies remain confident that they will be in that game come December and will be back in the Orange Bowl in January. For now, let’s enjoy these last few months with two of Tech’s all-time greatest.

We are witnessing two of the greatest players to ever play the position at Virginia Tech, and they do it the right way. Their hard-working attitudes and no-drama personality provide a contrast to the stereotype for wide receivers of all levels.

While fans are certainly excited about the upcoming weeks and fighting to get back into an ACC championship, take some time to notice these two guys.

Between the big David Wilson runs, the James Gayle sacks and the Logan Thomas growing pains are two pretty good receivers that have made a name for themselves in Blacksburg.

Jarrett Boykin and Danny Coale, this is your time. You deserve it.