Collegiate Times

On National Signing Day, Telvion Clark is one of several blue-chip Tech recruits.

Telvion Clark is a star on the track and on the mat, yet his impact at Tech will be felt on the gridiron.

Back in June, Telvion Clark -- of Granby High School in Norfolk -- made his decision to play football at Virginia Tech.  Since then, Clark, a 6-foot-1-inch, 210-pound linebacker, has been improving his speed in preparation for the college game and even took up dominating on the mat in addition to the gridiron.  

Q: 

How difficult was the recruiting process for you?

A:

  Well, it was pretty difficult, as you know it is a tough decision determining where you want to be the next four or five years.  Ultimately, I pretty much had my mind made up.  I looked into the schools, and I really took a look at the defenses and what they had to offer.  Scholarship-wise and opportunity-wise Tech was the best fit for me.

Q:

  Was there anything in particular about Virginia Tech that made you choose it over other schools?

A: 

Virginia Tech - it was a perfect fit for me.  It was like putting on a size 11 and you wear a size 11.  I felt the whole family atmosphere.  It was all a family type of environment.  I didn't feel like I was on a business trip; it just felt like somewhere I could fit in for the next four of five years.

Q: 

Did having a lot of players from Hampton Roads on the team factor into your decision?

A: 

I really didn't want to go to a college that was very far away, so that cut pretty much all the big time far-away colleges.  I didn't want to be that far.  My goal was to find the best fit closest to me.

Q:

Have the coaches told you where you're going to be playing in the fall?

A: 

Inside linebacker.

Q: 

You're not going to have to switch to safety or anything like that?

A: 

No -- From what (defensive coordinator Bud Foster) told me so far, anyway.  I know that subject can change, but so far what I'm getting is inside linebacker.

Q: 

Are you planning on redshirting or do you plan on trying to play right away?

A: 

Basically what he's (Foster) telling me is that he doesn't want me to redshirt, and that he wanted me to play right away.  (Foster said) when I came here in my freshman year, basically I'd be battling for a spot.

Q: 

So when you get there, you're going to have a chance for immediate playing time?

A:

  Exactly.

Q: 

What do you plan on studying when you get here?

A:

  I want to major in business management.  I want to minor in computer applications - like visual communications. That's partially why I chose Tech because they have a very good graduation rate.  It is a lot of support.  It's a great support system.  It basically creates an atmosphere or an environment where it's hard for you to fail, and that's the kind of place I want to be.

Q:

  How would you describe yourself as a linebacker?

A:

  I'm smaller obviously, but a lot faster, a lot quicker.  I'm a mobile linebacker.  I can move left to right, I have very loose hips.  I'd be a great coverage linebacker; I can stop the run from sideline to sideline.  I do have a nose for the football.

Q: 

What is your 40 time right now?

A: 

I've actually got it down.  I went up to camp and ran a 4.47, and then I came back down home and it went down to 4.43 consistently, and then it recently went to a 4.4 flat, 4.39 consistently."

Q: 

How long ago did you run a 4.4 flat?

A: 

I did it three weeks ago, but I did it consistently.

Q: 

Was this on Virginia Tech's track?

A:

  No, it was back home.

Q: 

Are you nervous at all about moving away?

A:

Everybody gets that homesickness, and everybody gets that anxiety being away from home and your family and friends.  I think the adjustment to that I'm going to be capable of making.  Not easy, but doable.

Q:

  Have you started preparing for the fall at all as far as conditioning?

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