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Cole Beck won't have to travel far for college: he faxed his letter of intent across town today to become a Hokie.

The 6-0, 174-pounder from Blacksburg High School is a speed back who could play a number of different roles in college.

Three-star, No. 10 player in Virginia, No. 21 all-purpose back nationally.

Appalachian State, Boston College, Bowling Green, Buffalo, Delaware State, East Carolina, James Madison, Louisville, Marshall, Massachusetts, Mississippi State, North Carolina, Old Dominion, Pittsburgh, Richmond, Temple, UCF, Virginia, Western Michigan

Beck is a (literal) hometown kid, playing his high school games less than five mile away from Lane Stadium. For a long time though, he got only cursory sniffs from the Hokies. That saw the likes of North Carolina and Pittsburgh separate themselves in his recruitment. However, the Hokie offer finally came in September, and after an unofficial visit to each of the three finalists, he committed to VT after one of his games in early October.

Beck is a pure speedster - one of the fastest 100-meter runners on the East Coast last Spring - and that's the primary asset for his game. He can simply outrun defenders (or, on defense, catch up with ball-carriers). He has a good feel for running through tackles or breaking them downfield, and setting up defenders to be cut away from. He does need to improve his patience, or if he ends up on defense at Virginia Tech, hone his techniques and knowledge of a position he's only played sparingly.

Blacksburg finished 10-2. Beck rushed for 1,620 yards and 27 touchdowns, and caught four receiving touchdowns.