DT Tribbey Excelling in Senior Season

Making a college decision has not been number one on Bud Tribbey’s mind lately. The 6-1, 288-pound Varina (VA) standout has listed Syracuse and Virginia Tech as his favorites since the summer, but no decision has come. Instead, the talented defensive tackle is focused on his senior season – one that has been excellent so far.

“He has played really, really well,” Varina Offensive Coordinator Blanda Wolfe said of Tribbey. Varina is 8-1 this season. “He’s our starting defensive tackle. He has been one of our better players this year. He takes up double-teams, allowing Jamar [Jackson] and Marell [Evans] to move around and make plays.”

Tribbey has been tough to defend one-on-one. In fact, Wolfe does not remember a time when he has been single-blocked all season long.

“What stands out to me is the way he gets off the ball and the way he runs to the football,” Wolfe said. “And he doesn’t take any plays off. He reminds us a lot of Jonathan [Lewis] in the way he gets off the line and makes plays down the line. Jonathan was so good at running plays down and Bud is good at that, too.”

In terms of his recruitment, Tribbey should be closer to a decision after he makes an official visit to Syracuse later this month.

“He’s pretty much focusing on the season,” Wolfe said. “He’s still listening to everybody. I think he wants to take a visit to Syracuse. I believe that is set for November 18th.”

Wolfe discussed Tribbey’s two favorites. Tribbey has visited both schools, but has only taken an official visit to Virginia Tech (Sept. 30th).

“Bud told us he really had a good time [on the official visit to Virginia Tech],” Wolfe said. “He liked everybody up there and he loved the coaches. At Virginia Tech, he knows how he’ll get treated because we’ve had people at Virginia Tech before. That’s not saying he won’t get treated well at Syracuse. And he knows the coaches.

“For Syracuse, the Communications center is one of the things he has really talked about. The next thing is him maybe coming in right away and playing. Those are a few positive things.

“It is a tough decision for him. I don’t think either team has the edge. He hasn’t really said a whole lot to us.”

Is grey-shirting an issue with respect to Virginia Tech? The Tech staff has indicated that they may have to ask Tribbey to grey-shirt if he were to choose the Hokies.

“I don’t think the grey-shirt thing has anything to do with it,” Wolfe said. “Plus, it may not be a definite thing. It depends on how things work out with the scholarships. But it’s nothing negative.”

Yet another Division 1A recruit at Varina?

Davon Morgan has committed to Virginia Tech. Jamar Jackson is considering offers from Boston College, Clemson, Florida State, Louisville, N.C. State (although N.C. State may not be as high as the others) and Virginia Tech. Tribbey has his offers and LB Marell Evans has an offer from Michigan. Impressive to say the least, and there may be another prospect on the horizon.

“I believe Florida State may offer [senior] Andre Branch,” Wolfe said. “He’s always been a good player, but he’s coming on this year. He’s the other outside linebacker to Jamar Jackson. He’s 6-5 or 6-6, 235 pounds. Florida State was here to see Jamar the other night and loved him, too. Andre took an unofficial visit to Clemson and they liked him a lot. Coach Cav from Virginia Tech has talked about him a little bit.”