Collegiate Times

Khalil Latif has always been a quiet guy. Throughout his high school football career he's let his playing do the talking for him.

But all of this will change in the upcoming months as Latif has signed a letter-of-intent to play for the Hokies. One of four offensive linemen recruited by Tech this year, Latif has the skill to be a future standout on the line.

Latif, a 6'3", 290-pounder, is out of Manchester High School in Chesterfield, Va. and chose Virginia Tech over the University of North Carolina and the University of Maryland. The decision was certainly not an easy one for the 17-year-old.

"It was hard because of all the other colleges involved," Latif said. "But once I went (to Virginia Tech) a couple of times, I knew that's where I wanted to go."

Consistently ranked as one of the 30 best players in the state of Virginia, Latif finished his junior season with over 80 pancake blocks and continued his domination as a senior. Latif's presence on the field did not go unnoticed, and many started seeing a bright future for the young man as early as the end of his sophomore year.

"When I first met him, I knew that he was a pretty special kid," said Latif's high school coach, Tom Hall. "Very athletic and aggressive and I knew that he would be able to play at that level (Division I)."

"Coach Hall is a mentor and gives me someone to talk to if anything goes wrong," Latif said. "He's almost like a third parent. I can talk to him about anything."

Not only does Latif exercise his size and aggressiveness, he also uses his personality to his advantage when he's on the field. His low-key, relaxed behavior allows him to not get worked up after making a mistake, something that is valued at the collegiate level.

"Offensive linemen are going to give up a sack or miss a block, and somebody is going to get whacked," said Virginia Tech recruiting coordinator Jim Cavanaugh. "(Latif) doesn't go into the tank when that happens. He has a very even-keeled personality."

Cavanaugh, also the team's safety and outside linebackers coach, figures that Latif will fit into the offensive line well in the future. Tech will bring Latif in as a guard where he will receive the training he needs to gain the explosiveness and the strength necessary to compete in the Atlantic Coast Conference. If he shows enough during two-a-days in the summer, Latif may turn some heads and be a candidate for a starting job right away, Cavanaugh said.

"We need athletic, strong offensive linemen. They have been hard to find here. (Latif) is a mobile guy and has very good strength for a high school player," Cavanaugh said.

Ask just about any coach on the high school or collegiate level and he will tell you the number one concern for an offensive lineman once he enters college is pass blocking. Most high school teams have run-based offenses, forcing offensive linemen to adapt to that style of play.

"He needs to work on his ability to get off the ball," Cavanaugh said. "He was so strong that he could get off the ball soft and just whack the high school kids who were rushing the passer. In college, the (defense) will be a little bit niftier. On the run game, he'll do fine, but on the passing game, it'll take a little more time to get him off."

Latif will start summer school in early July. That same month, he will begin to work out with the team and begin the transformation from high school to college play. It takes a certain kind of personality to adapt to playing on a Division I football team.

Through all of the compliments, optimistic scouting reports and meetings with Division I teams, Latif has managed to stay focused and not let any of the publicity hinder his goals or his play on the field. He never brags or boasts; he just suits up game-after-game and goes to work.