Letter From the Editor: Three Future Stars
by Will Stewart
TSL Extra, Issue #13

Dear Readers:

I don’t think last weekend's Virginia game could have possibly gone any better. Not just because the Hokies won 31-17, but because the two players we're profiling this month, Kevin Jones and Cols Colas, had breakout games. We had already decided to profile Jones and Colas, because they were elevated to the starting lineup recently, and our timing -- and theirs -- couldn't have been any better.

Jones, as you know, ran for 181 yards on 37 carries against UVa, and Colas had a monster game, racking up 1.5 sacks, 3 total tackles for loss, and 2 QB hurries. He sacked UVa QB Bryson Spinner on the very first play of the game and never looked back.

Not only did Jones and Colas do well, but we got a great cover photo of Jones (taken by TheSabre.com's Mike Ingalls) going over the top to score his 1-yard touchdown. So this issue certainly fell into place at the last minute, so to speak.

This issue contains nine articles, the most ever, so many features that I could barely fit them in the table of contents. In addition to the Jones and Colas pieces, we've got a long interview with star-studded DT prospect Jonathan Lewis, who shares his thoughts on what's important and what's not important in the recruiting battle for his signature.

All in all, that's three future stars. Jones is already a star, Colas is a star in the making, and Lewis will most likely be a star, whether he goes to Virginia Tech or elsewhere.

Speaking of defensive tackles, the longest article this month is by former Tech tackle Jeff Holland, who gives us the lowdown on Tech Strength and Conditioning Coach Mike Gentry, including several entertaining inside stories about what it was like to play -- and work out -- under Mike Gentry. It's a can't-miss feature that provides great insight into the VT football program.

Then there's an article on the Hokie season ticket phenomenon, previews of the men's and women's basketball team (the women knocked off #17 ODU in their second game of the year), and a better-than-usual "Inside the Numbers" that breaks down sack production in the Beamer bowl era of Virginia Tech football.

Last, and certainly not least, comes "Inside TSL," where we've got a new contest for you, as well as some important information about what I called "Crunch Time" three issues ago.

The holiday season is approaching, it looks like the Hokies are Gator Bowl-bound, and you've got a 49-page TSL Extra to read. Yes, these are good times.

Enjoy issue #13.

 

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