When we first caught up with Amherst (VA) star Derrick McCoy he had just come off an outstanding junior season and had helped his team capture a Group AA, Division 4 state championship. He played very well on both sides of the ball his junior year, but perhaps was more known for his big play ability at wide receiver. After all, he averaged 30 yards per catch and scored nine touchdowns that year (and followed that up with 12 scores his senior year). But now, after putting in a first-team all-state performance on defense his senior year, his future is on the defensive side of the ball and McCoy is excited about it.

“I’m looking forward to playing defense for Virginia Tech,” said McCoy, who racked up 96 tackles including 14 tackles-for-loss and nine sacks with four interceptions (three returned for scores) in his senior season. “Their defense is real physical. They smack people in the mouth, which is what I like to do. I feel like I fit right in with what they do. I think I could have a future to make it past college as a linebacker.”

McCoy played a defensive end/outside linebacker role for Amherst head coach Scott Abell. He is listed as a linebacker on Virginia Tech’s official website, hokiesports.com, with Backer being the current projected spot. At 6-4, 235 pounds, he could easily grow into a defensive end as well.

“I’m real physical,” said McCoy, a strong player who can bench press 340 pounds and squat 465 pounds. “Even when I played off of the line, I liked to come up for contact.”

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