Collegiate Times

Stephan Virgil makes a crucial stop on Cincinnati recevier Mardy Gilyard. Virgil, who intercepted six passes in 2008, will replace Victor 'Macho' Harris next season at the field cornerback position, while stepping into a new role as the leader of Tech's defensive backfield.

Tech brings back an experienced defensive backfield this year, including senior free safety Kam Chancellor, who also started every game last season, along with returning rovers senior Dorian Porch and junior Davon Morgan.

Chancellor observed Virgil's development firsthand through the past three seasons and believes he is ready to excel and continue the tradition of standout Tech cornerbacks.

"I think Virgil can (be the next great cornerback)," Chancellor said. "He has all the fundamentals down, his technique's sound."

"He's a leader and he likes to make plays," he said.

The one thing that Chancellor and Gray agree on is that a key to Virgil's success this season is consistency - something that the past star cornerbacks learned to master.

While Gray won't judge Virgil strictly by his accolades, he concedes that if he can continue to learn from his mistakes and build on his stability he developed last season, the potential is limitless.

"I won't judge it on whether he becomes an All-American or not. To me, what Brandon did, what Macho did, they were pretty consistent for the most part. Game in and game out and they broke plays when they presented themselves," Gray said.

"And I think Virgil can have that kind of consistency," he said. "That's what he did all year at the field corner; he was very consistent. Now, it will be a little bit of a tougher challenge this year, but I think he has the ability to be able to be that consistent. And if he's consistent he will be productive at the position."

Virgil doubled his personal goal of three interceptions last season with six on the year, while tying Harris for the team lead.

He wasn't ready to give a prediction for the season quite yet, but Virgil definitely plans to surpass his tally of interceptions from a year ago.

Whether he can make a run at Ron Davidson's Tech record of nine picks, which has stood for over 40 years, remains to be seen.

But as the comparisons to past Hokie corners are inevitable and flattering, Virgil wants to create his own legacy.

"I think I can fill their shoes," Virgil said. "But those shoes, they're their shoes, you know. So I just have to blaze my own trail and be an All-American and make my impact just like they made their impact."

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