Virginia Tech began eyeing linebacker prospect Tavante Beckett when Beckett was a sophomore at Oscar Smith High School (Chesapeake, VA). Beckett, who transferred to Indian River following an outstanding 2014 season (his junior season) performance at Oscar Smith, recently received the news he was looking for from the Hokies.

“I’ve been waiting for it for so long,” Beckett said, referring to the scholarship offer he received from Virginia Tech on May 5. “They’ve been recruiting me since my sophomore year. It has been a year and some change. I was happy to get it. At one point, if Virginia Tech were to offer I’d commit on the spot. They waited a little longer and now I have options, so I might take my time and see my options.”

Primary recruiter Bryan Stinespring and defensive coordinator Bud Foster “said they love the way I play,” Beckett said. “They said they can’t wait to get me to Blacksburg.”

Beckett admits he has “always been a Virginia Tech fan. I know J.C. Coleman, Jaylen Bradshaw, Deshawn McClease, and they have offered a lot of my friends and teammates. It’s always good to have people you know.”

Virginia Tech’s coaches mentioned the possibility of a gray-shirt when they first extended the offer. Beckett admits he wasn’t certain he would want to delay enrollment, but it appears the issue is moot as the coaches have since clarified that the offer is for regular enrollment.

One week after Virginia Tech came through with a scholarship offer, Wisconsin and East Carolina followed suit. Army and Marshall have also offered the 6’0”, 210-pound rising senior. Beckett says other schools, including Auburn, are expressing serious interest as well.

“Right now, to be honest with you, I’m just accepting all offers,” Beckett said. “Virginia Tech has been my favorite for the longest time. If I had to pick a school right now, it would be Virginia Tech because I know nothing else. I don’t know what’s going to come.”

Beckett likely won't commit any time soon. He did, however, leave open the possibility of committing on June 4, which is when Indian River teammate Jaquan Yulee plans to announce his college choice. Yulee lists Virginia Tech as one of his finalists along with Alabama, Florida State, Michigan State and North Carolina.

"If I feel strongly about it, I could do it," Beckett said of committing on June 4th.

On the football field, Indian River will feature Yulee and Beckett in its linebacker corps this season. Beckett was a big-time performer for one of the state's top high school football programs last season. Watching him play alongside Yulee should be a fun experience, unless you are the opposition.

“I feel like I can do close to everything,” Beckett said. “I can block punts, sack the quarterback, last year I caught six interceptions and I made 15 tackles. Playing for Oscar Smith, you usually don’t play the whole game. Star ratings don’t mean anything, but I feel like I’ve been underrated.”

Beckett’s production is obvious, and Oscar Smith head coach Rich Morgan raved that Beckett is the top linebacker in the state. Why has he been overlooked by college coaches?

“My size,” he answered. “My sophomore year I played at 175 pounds. I’m now back up to 210 pounds. I’m getting bigger, staying in shape, and I’m getting faster. I take a lot of tape back to my house. That’s what makes me stand out.”