Thirty-three Virginia Tech players earned "Hard Hat" awards for their work in the offseason strength and conditioning program. Many senior leaders and other starters were on the list, which also included some of the program's younger players, including a few freshmen.
Here's the complete list of winners according to a spokesman at Virginia Tech, in no particular order.
Joey Slye (Sr.)
Wyatt Teller (r-Sr.)
Andrew Motuapuaka (r-Sr.)
Steven Peoples (Jr.)
Cam Phillips (Sr.)
Terrell Edmunds (r-Jr.)
Ricky Walker (r-Jr.)
Tim Settle (r-So.)
Brandon Facyson (r-Sr.)
Deon Newsome (r-Sr.)
Adonis Alexander (Jr.)
Xavier Burke (r-So.)
AJ Bush (r-Jr.)
Austin Cannon (r-Fr.)
Jack Click (r-So.)
Sean Daniel (r-So.)
Divine Deablo (So.)
Tremaine Edmunds (Jr.)
Reggie Floyd (So.)
Eric Gallo (Sr.)
Daniel Griffith (r-Fr.)
Josh Jackson (r-Fr.)
Dalton Keene (Fr.)
Billy Ray Mitchell (r-Jr.)
Yosua Nijman (Jr.)
Parker Osterloh (r-Sr.)
Colt Pettit (r-Jr.)
DJ Reid (r-Jr.)
Anthony Shegog (r-Sr.)
Tyrell Smith (r-So.)
Greg Stroman (Sr.)
Colton Taylor (r-Sr.)
Tyrone Thornton (r-So.)
A larger number of seniors and/or team leaders are on that list, including Wyatt Teller, Andrew Motuapuaka, Joey Slye and Cam Phillips. Some other younger players also earned the award. Justin Fuente told our Ricky LaBlue several weeks ago that Ricky Walker was standing out as a team leader during offseason workouts, and his inclusion on this list confirms that. Other notables include the Edmunds brothers, Adonis Alexander, Brandon Facyson and Tim Settle.
Four freshmen - one true and three redshirt - also made the list: Josh Jackson (r-Fr.), Daniel Griffith (r-Fr.), Austin Cannon (r-Fr.) and Dalton Keene (Fr.). Jackson is expected to compete for the starting quarterback position, and one of his major competitors (AJ Bush) also earned hard hat status. Austin Cannon will provide depth on the interior offensive line, while Daniel Griffith is the third Backer right now and could see special teams action this year. Dalton Keene is expected to contribute as an H-Back as a true freshman.