Six Hokies have accepted invitations to January all-star games

The senior helped to lead one of the best defensive back groups in the nation

January 11, 2018

BLACKSBURG – Senior CB Greg Stroman became the sixth Tech senior to accept a postseason all-star invitation. Stroman, who was voted Tech’s 2017 MVP by his teammates, will play in the 93rd East-West Shrine Game on Jan. 20, 2018 at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida. Stroman joins CB Brandon Facyson, WR Cam Phiilips, LB Andrew Motuapuaka, G Wyatt Teller and C Eric Gallo as Hokies who have also accepted postseason all-star game invitations.

Senior Bowl
Mobile, Alabama
2:30 pm ET – January 27
seniorbowl.com

G Wyatt Teller anchored a Virginia Tech offensive line that permitted only 23.0 sacks on the season. He started in all 13 games at left guard and started 24 consecutive games, the longest streak on the Tech offense. Pro Football Focus honored Teller on their ACC Team of the Week four times last season. The Bealeton, Virginia native was the runner-up for the ACC’s Jacobs Blocking Trophy, which is presented to the conference’s most outstanding blocker. He was named to the All-ACC Bowl Team of ESPN.com after helping Tech pile up 248 rushing yards (5.0 avg.) in the Camping World Bowl

Virginia Tech guard Wyatt Teller tied for second among draft-eligible guards by only allowing just 5 total QB pressures this season. pic.twitter.com/DoqBHGGPiA

— PFF College Football (@PFF_College) January 11, 2018

East-West Shrine Game
St. Petersburg, Florida
3 p.m. ET – January 20
shrinegame.com

Current Cincinnati Bengals tight ends coach Johnathan Hayes will serve as the head coach of the East squad. Hayes will have have a duo of Tech corners on his roster in Stroman and Facyson.

Stroman had a strong senior campaign, finishing the season first on the team and tied for second in the ACC in both pass breakups (11) and interceptions (4). With the help of Stroman and the rest of the Tech secondary, the Hokies finished the season second in the nation in third-down defense (26.2%). Stroman also finished second in the nation with 397 punt return yards, while adding a pair of punt return TDs. With his three non-offensive touchdowns (1 INT/2 PR), Stroman moved into second in Tech history with six career return scores, trailing only behind DeAngelo Hall (7).

Facyson racked up five pass breakups and 2.0 tackles for loss last season while helping lead a secondary that permitted an FBS-low 48.6 completion percentage. Last season, Facyson passed Brandon Flowers and Antone Exum in career passes defended since 1987. He has 44 career PDs.

We got you! pic.twitter.com/ZCKb0S5bqp

— ACC Digital Network (@theACCDN) January 4, 2018

Phillips departs Tech as the school’s all-time leader in receptions (236) and receiving yards (3,027). The Laurel, Maryland product was a first-team All-ACC selection after leading the Hokies and ranking fifth in the ACC with 71 receptions. His 964 receiving yards ranked third in the league, while his seven TD catches tied for third. His 14 receptions at East Carolina this year broke the Tech’s single-game record for receptions. Phillips missed the Camping World Bowl due to surgery for a sports hernia and it is unlikely that Phillips will play in the Shrine Game

CELEBRATE OUR SENIORS 🎓@CamPhil5 = Tech's all-time leader in receptions (238) & rec. yards (3,027)

📽 via @TheACCDN #Hokies 🦃 pic.twitter.com/KvfKcgzAzV

— VT Football (@VT_Football) January 6, 2018

Spiral Tropical Bowl
Daytona Beach, Florida
9 a.m. ET – January 14
tropicalbowl.com

Gallo, a redshirt senior from Richboro, Pennsylvania, earned All-ACC accolades in his final season at Virginia Tech as an honorable mention pick. He started in every game this past season at center and started his final 23 games dating back to 2016. A team captain, Gallo also gets it done in the classroom, where he boasts a 3.42 GPA as a finance major. He was named CoSIDA Academic First-Team All-District in athletics and academics.

NFLPA Collegiate Bowl
Pasadena, California
1 p.m. ET – January 20
collegiate.nflpa.com

Motuapuaka finished the regular season ranked second on Tech’s defense and eighth in the ACC with 92 total tackles. The Virginia Beach, Virginia native trailed only CB Greg Stroman for the team lead in passes defended with eight. During his senior campaign he also racked up 11.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, six quarterback hurries, an interception, one fumble recovery and one forced fumble. Motuapuaka will leave Virginia Tech with his name in the top 10 in career tackles since 1987 with 333 total tackles. He will play on the National Team coached by former NFL head coach Mike Martz.

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