CNNSI.com - 2000 College Football Preview - CNNSI.com's Virginia Tech preview

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Virginia Tech Hokies

Magnificent Mike tries to send Tech back to top

College Football: The New Century

'99: 11-1, 7-0 Big East

Coach

Frank Beamer (14th season, 88-60-2; 130-83-4 overall)

Key offensive players

Michael Vick, QB, So.
Vick -- a running quarterback who led the nation in passing efficiency -- may have had the most spectacular freshman season in college football history.

Andre Kendrick, RB, Sr.
The small but quick tailback will have to replace the production lost when workhorse Shyrone Stith jumped to the NFL.

Andre Davis, WR, Jr.
The flanker, a flat-out burner, will have to help offset the loss of split end Ricky Hall.

Josh Redding, OG, Sr.
Don't forget the rest of Tech's returning offensive line, but Redding is the guy opposing coaches whisper about most.

Key defensive players

Nathaniel Adibi, DE, Fr.
Adibi, who is taking over for departed All-American Corey Moore, was the talk of spring drills.

Ivan Maisel's Player of the Century: Michael Vick, QB 1999 -
"No Hokie in an entire career did more for the school than Vick has done in the last year."
Brightest Moment: This past Jan. 4, when Virginia Tech battled Florida State into the fourth quarter at the Sugar Bowl before falling in the national championship, 46-29.

Lowest Moment: The wind was sucked from a 10-1-1 effort in 1986 by NCAA probation for recruiting violations and a 2-9 season the following year.

Nick Sorensen, LB, Sr.
A bit slow at free safety, Sorensen has been moved to whip to take advantage of his size.

Key newcomer

Vinnie Burns, P, Fr.
Burns, Louisiana's Class 5-A all-state punter last season, will immediately battle to take over Jimmy Kibble's spot.

Throwback player

Ben Taylor, a good, hard-nosed tackler, who in fact broke his nose three times just last year.

21st century player

Does it get any more "21st century" than Michael Vick?

Fast Fact

Since 1993, when round-robin play began within the Big East, Virginia Tech has won the most overall league games with 64.

Outlook

If you thought the Hokies' offense was good last year, wait until this season. Not only is the sparkling Vick back at QB, most of his offensive line returns as well. The lone question is whether tailbacks Kendrick and Lee Suggs can replace Stith. The defense is a different story. Gone are All-Americans Corey Moore and John Engelberger and both cornerbacks. Adibi should fill Moore's slot nicely. Beamer will also have to replace his kickers. Gone are punter Kibble and kicker Shayne Graham. But overall, there shouldn't be much drop-off.

-- Mitch Vingle