Virginia Tech has announced that kickoff specialist Brooks Abbott will transfer, and fullback Riley Beiro's career is over due to medical reasons.
Abbott played in seven straight games in the middle of the 2012 season, kicking off 39 times. He had 9 touchbacks and one kick out of bounds. But opponents averaged 19.7 yards per return and averaged starting at the 33-yard line. Virginia Tech's other kickoff specialist, Michael Branthover , fared much better, as opponents averaged 9.2 yards per return and a 21-yard starting point.
Beiro played in six games, then had season-ending shoulder surgery.
Virginia Tech players checked in Sunday and were measured and weighed. (Expect a roster update with new heights and weights soon.) Football practice begins today.