Tavante Beckett considered scholarship offers from out-of-state programs including Big 10 power Wisconsin, but in the end the opportunity to play for the in-state Hokies of Virginia Tech was too good to pass up.

“It just felt like home,” the Indian River (Chesapeake, VA) rising senior linebacker said of Virginia Tech. “I felt comfortable. I felt at home and felt I can trust Virginia Tech with the next four years of my life.”

How does it feel to have made his college choice?

“I got a text when I committed saying there are a million teens who want to be in my shoes,” Beckett answered. “I’m grateful now, but I’m not going to settle. I’m ready to prove people wrong. I want to prove those people who say I’m too small or too slow wrong and show them what I can do.”

The Chesapeake native has friends such as former high school teammates Jaylen Bradshaw and Deshawn McClease already in the Virginia Tech program. This “meant a lot,” Beckett said.

“When you know people somewhere, you just have another family," he added. "It can’t get better knowing you are already going to have a bond. Hopefully, I can bring more people along.”

Beckett is excited to represent his state on the major college level.

“A lot of people are deciding to go elsewhere,” said Beckett. “I grew up rooting for Virginia Tech.”

Michael Vick was Beckett’s favorite Virginia Tech player growing up. While Vick helped spark his initial interest, defensive coordinator Bud Foster played a major role in ultimately drawing the talented linebacker to Blacksburg.

“I didn’t even know that Coach Foster was the number one defensive coordinator. When I found out, that definitely played a big role in my decision,” Beckett said. “Why go anywhere else when you can play for the best here? It also shows his loyalty to stay for so long.”

Whether the 6’0”, 210-pound Beckett ends up playing outside or inside linebacker at Tech, he knows Foster "will put me in the right place to succeed. I’m not necessarily in a rush to get on the field, but once I get my chance I know he’ll put me in the right place.”

Beckett, who played for top in-state high school football program Oscar Smith last season but has since transferred to Indian River, committed this past Saturday while in attendance for the “Beamer’s Barbecue” recruiting event.

“I was itching to get it out because I wanted to tweet it,” recalled Beckett, who was at Tech along with his mother and step-father. “I was worried my decision would get out before I was able to tweet it. When I was there, I was ready to take my picture with the Virginia Tech jersey so I could tweet it.”

After tweeting his commitment, Beckett then tweeted to his highly touted Indian River teammates Jaquan Yulee and Devon Hunter. He hopes they will join him in Blacksburg. Hunter is a top uncommitted rising junior, while Yulee is a rising senior linebacker committed to Alabama.

Scholarship Projection: Linebacker, 2016 Season

JUNIORS – Jameion Moss, Andrew Motuapuaka, Anthony Shegog (OLB)
SOPHOMORES – Holland Fisher (OLB), Raymon Minor
CLASS OF 2015 – Tremaine Edmunds, Carson Lydon
CLASS OF 2016 – Tavante Beckett, Emmanuel Belmar, Vic Greene

We’ll see what happens in the 2015 season, but aside from Andrew Motuapuaka the linebacker position is an uncertain one for the Hokies in the 2016 season. Tech has gained commitments from three prospects they targeted early. Greene has had an offer since last summer, while Belmar earned an offer in February and Beckett landed one in May. I don’t feel the Hokies are done recruiting the position, though. Look for at least one more linebacker prospect to be taken in this class.

The aforementioned Yulee is still on the wish list and he visited Tech on Sunday this past week. Florida prospect Brock Miller visited on Saturday and has the Hokies in his top 8. Keith Simms, who could be a possible defensive end, visited earlier last week as well.