Collegiate Times

Virginia Tech quarterback Tyrod Taylor has been named the Atlantic Coast Conference Player of the Year, according to a release by the ACC.

The senior from Hampton, Va. has led the Hokies to a 10-2 record including a perfect 8-0 in conference play this season. He is the first Tech player to earn ACC Player of the Year honors since quarterback Bryan Randall in 2004.

"First off, I have to thank the Lord for blessing me with the ability to play football," Taylor said. "I also have to thank my parents, my family, the coaches, my teammates and all of the Virginia Tech fans. It's an honor to be recognized as the ACC's Player of the Year and to see all of my hard work pay off."

Taylor has passed for 2,258 yards this season with 20 touchdowns and just four interceptions. He is second on the team in rushing with 613 yards and four touchdowns on the ground. Additionally, Taylor won the ACC’s Offensive Player of the Year award and was named first-team All-ACC earlier this week.

Taylor received 27 votes, NC State quarterback Russell Wilson was second with 19, and Clemson defensive end Da’Quan Bowers was third with eight. The Hokies will face off with Florida State Saturday in the ACC Championship, Taylor’s third career trip to the title game.

"I'm more proud, though, of how this team responded from an 0-2 start," Taylor said. "Now we have finish things off Saturday in Charlotte against a tough Florida State team."

A version of this article appeared in the Dec 2 issue of the Collegiate Times.