Teller Discusses VT Commitment

For the better part of the spring and summer, the prevailing sentiment was that the University of Virginia would be eventual college choice of Liberty (Bealeton, VA) star Wyatt Teller .  After all, the 6’5″, 272-pound rising senior defensive end visited UVa a handful of times, more than any other school this year.

But last Friday, hours before Liberty’s first preseason scrimmage, it was Virginia Tech that gained a verbal commitment from one of the state’s most coveted rising seniors.

“I just felt at home there,” Teller said of Tech.  “For one, I grew up a fan of ’em.  And two, family goes there.  Friends go there.  I’ve been down there a few times, and every time I’m down there it just feels like home.  I feel like I can be there for four years.”

Teller was offered by major FBS programs from all across the country, but the decision ultimately did come down to the in-state rivals.

“I had a great relationship with both schools,” Teller said.  “(UVa) Coach (Jim) Reid, he was literally a second father to me.  It was tough.  It was really tough saying I’m not going to go to your school.  He was as professional as he could be.  He said he really cared for me.  It was the toughest thing I think I’ve done.”

Teller’s most recent visit to Blacksburg came on June 3rd, when he attended Tech’s one-day camp.  The experience cemented the promising prospect’s feeling of how he fit into Tech’s program.

“I didn’t participate, but I got to watch and stuff,” Teller recalled.  “Still, just watching, I felt like part of the team.  They were glad to have me there.  It was great.”

Committing before the start of his senior season has been a goal of Teller’s, and he’s happy he was able to accomplish it.

“I’m not rushed at all, but I wanted to get it over with before the season so I can focus,” Teller said.  “I’ve got to become the best leader I can be.  It’s going to take a lot.  I’m happy my recruitment’s over, and I’m happy where I’m going.”

Teller added:  “It’s such a relief.  I mean, it’s good knowing that I have a home now.  It’s good knowing that I’m going to go to the next level.  I’ve still got to stay out of trouble.  I’ve still got to get bigger and stronger.  Basically, I’m going to play my cards straight and become the best I can be.”

The 4-star Teller plays defensive end and offensive tackle for the Eagles.  As a junior last season, he earned second-team all-state and first-team all-region honors for his play on defense, which is where he will play for the Hokies.

“Defensive end,” Teller answered when asked what position the Tech coaches envision him playing next season.  “I guess if I don’t get faster, or if I
put on more weight, I’d get to move down to tackle.  But defensive end is where my home is right now.”

A 4.0 student, Teller could graduate early and enroll at Virginia Tech this coming January.  He has decided, however, to stay at Liberty for his entire senior year and enroll in Blacksburg next summer.

Liberty’s First Preseason Scrimmage

Massaponax took an 18-0 lead into halftime of last Friday night’s game.  Liberty made a second-half run to cut the deficit to five, but ultimately lost 25-20.

“It was kind of getting back into the grind of things,” Teller said.  “I guess we weren’t expecting it, but I was trying to say, ‘They’re going to hit you.  They’re going to get on you, so you better get on them.’  It was hard.  I was kind of lackadaisical myself.  It comes all back to good practices during the week, and hopefully we can get better.”

Massaponax features another future Hokie in rising junior defensive lineman Vincent Mihota.  Check out highlights of both Teller and Mihota from last week here.