DT Ricky Walker awarded Beamer No. 25 for Duke game

Junior lineman leads the Hokies in quarterback hurries.

October 26, 2017

BLACKSBURG – Head coach Justin Fuente announced Thursday that DT Ricky Walker earned the distinction of wearing Frank Beamer’s No. 25 jersey for Saturday’s game against Duke.

This weekend’s game will mark the first time the Hampton, Virginia native has received this prestigious honor. Walker is seventh on the team in tackles with 20 (17 solo) and is tied for third on the team in tackles for loss with 5.5. He also has 1.5 sacks on the season and leads the team with six quarterback hurries.

Earlier in the week he was named ACC Defensive Lineman of the Week after four tackles, a career-high 1.5 sacks and a 12-yard fumble return touchdown in a 59-7 win over North Carolina. the win over the Tar Heels. Termed the “bell cow” of Tech’s Lunch Pail Defense by defensive coordinator Bud Foster, Walker and the Hokies are allowing 12.7 points per game to rank fifth in the nation. Tech is permitting opponents to convert on only 23.7 percent of third-down attempts, the second-lowest mark in the country.

.@VT_Football DOMINATED on defense in the first half against UNC, returning two plays for touchdowns. #LPD 💼 pic.twitter.com/WrLwnUHUph

— ACC Digital Network (@theACCDN) October 21, 2017

At the beginning of last season, head coach Justin Fuente announced that a special teams player of the week would be selected to wear the No. 25 as a tribute to Coach Beamer and his legacy of special teams excellence he spawned for the Hokies.

2017 BEAMER BALL 25 RECIPIENTS

Player: Opponent

LB Anthony Shegog: West Virginia

LS Colton Taylor: Delaware

CB Greg Stroman: at East Carolina

DB Deon Newsome: Old Dominion

S Terrell Edmunds: Clemson

CB Greg Stroman: at Boston College

P Oscar Bradburn: North Carolina

DT Ricky Walker: Duke

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