Tech looks to replace linebackers

By Nathan Warters

Published: April 10, 2008

BLACKSBURG — Linebackers Brett Warren and Purnell Sturdivant made brief appearances last season for Virginia Tech’s football team, and the reviews were mostly good.

Sturdivant recorded an impressive stat line in his cameo against William & Mary, with eight tackles, two sacks and two interceptions. Warren started four games as an injury replacement and had 43 tackles and 3.5 sacks.

The one knock on the two backups? They weren’t Vince Hall and Xavier Adibi.

That’s something the former understudies still find hard to shake. They’re the leading candidates this spring practice to replace Hall and Adibi, the most esteemed linebacking tandem in school history.

For the first time in four years, Hall and Adibi won’t be penciled — rather permanent markered — into the starting lineup. And while they prepare for the April 26-27 NFL draft, the Hokies are hoping Warren and Sturdivant can fill their sizeable shoes.

“I like where those two guys are right now. They’re both good football players. They have a good nose for the football. They’re athletic. Will they be Vince Hall and Xavier Adibi? I don’t know if we’ll ever have that tandem again, but they’ll be good enough, I think, and that’s all that counts,” Hokies defensive coordinator Bud Foster said.

To their credit, Warren and Sturdivant, both redshirt seniors next season, have patiently waited four years to play. They could have transferred and probably started multiple years somewhere else, but they chose to stick it out at Tech, hoping their time would eventually come.

It’s finally here.

“Those are obviously huge shoes to fill. They were some of the best players to ever come through here, but I think me and Purnell both are real strong linebackers, and I think we can do a good job and help the team out,” Warren said.

Warren, the 6-1, 230-pound son of former Washington Redskins tight end Don Warren, will be counted on to step into Hall’s vacated middle linebacker spot. He gave fans a glimpse of his potential when he filled in for an injured Hall last year.

That experience coupled with his knowledge of Tech’s complicated scheme will help him in his transition to full-time starter.

“I feel so much more comfortable now. I already have four games under my belt. If I hadn’t played those games, I’d probably be a lot more nervous right now,” Warren said.

The 5-10, 234-pound Sturdivant saw more time as a special-teams player in his first three years. Still, he practiced at linebacker and made the most of his limited defensive snaps.

He was in for 55 plays in a blowout win against the Tribe last season and put up Adibi-like numbers.

As of now, he’s the man tabbed to replace Adibi at the outside backer position, but he still has work to do to solidify himself as a starter.

“Of course I’m nervous. It’s my senior year. I know what to expect, but at the same time, I haven’t been on the field as much as other guys,” Sturdivant said.

Jitters aside, Warren and Sturdivant are both confident they can help the Hokies win this fall. Foster is sure of their abilities, too.

“They’re good enough to compete for a championship,” Foster said.

“I think so.”