Linebacker Tavante Beckett was one of the most productive linebackers in the state last season, racking up 121 tackles including 25 tackles for loss and six interceptions for the Oscar Smith (Chesapeake, VA) Tigers. The 6’0”, 210-pound rising senior will take his impressive defensive abilities to Virginia Tech, the school he verbally committed to this afternoon.

Beckett pledged to Frank Beamer in person while attending the “Beamer’s Barbecue” recruiting event. In addition to tweeting his commitment, he also confirmed his decision to TechSideline via text message.

Beckett becomes the third linebacker prospect to commit to Tech’s class of 2016, joining fellow in-state prospect Vic Greene and Georgia outside linebacker recruit Emmanuel Belmar. Virginia Tech now has 14 commitments overall in the class of 2016. Three of those commits have come this week.

Beckett, who will finish out his high school career at Indian River (Chesapeake, VA), also considered scholarship offers from Wisconsin, East Carolina and Marshall.