When we first caught up with Amherst (VA) star Derrick McCoy he had just come off an outstanding junior season and had helped his team capture a Group AA, Division 4 state championship. He played very well on both sides of the ball his junior year, but perhaps was more known for his big play ability at wide receiver. After all, he averaged 30 yards per catch and scored nine touchdowns that year (and followed that up with 12 scores his senior year). But now, after putting in a first-team all-state performance on defense his senior year, his future is on the defensive side of the ball and McCoy is excited about it.
"I'm looking forward to playing defense for Virginia Tech," said McCoy, who racked up 96 tackles including 14 tackles-for-loss and nine sacks with four interceptions (three returned for scores) in his senior season. "Their defense is real physical. They smack people in the mouth, which is what I like to do. I feel like I fit right in with what they do. I think I could have a future to make it past college as a linebacker."