Justin Hamilton named to AFCA 35 Under 35 Leadership InstituteJustin Hamilton named to AFCA 35 Under 35 Leadership Institute
Football

Justin Hamilton named to AFCA 35 Under 35 Leadership Institute

BLACKSBURG – The American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) announced Monday that Tech defensive coordinator/safeties coach Justin Hamilton has been selected to participate in the AFCA's 2021 35 Under 35 Coaches Leadership Institute. 
 
Hamilton is one of eight Tech Football alums currently working on the coaching, player personnel or football support staff for the Hokies under head coach Justin Fuente. He was promoted to his current role in December 2019 after coaching safeties last season. He returned to Blacksburg in 2018 as Director of Player Development – Defense. The Clintwood, Virginia native served as a versatile player for Frank Beamer, Bud Foster and the Hokies from 2002-05. He spent time working at running back, wide receiver and defensive back for Tech, in addition to playing a prominent role on special teams before going on to play in the National Football League. 
 
The AFCA 35 Under 35 Coaches Leadership Institute is a prestigious program aimed at identifying and developing premier, future leaders in the football coaching profession. Selected participants are invited to attend the one-day institute that features a curriculum of interactive lectures focused on topics specifically tailored to emphasize leadership in the coaching profession, ethics, influential responsibilities, career progression, and family balance. Due to the 2021 Convention being moved to the AFCA Digital library, the 2021 AFCA 35 Under 35 representatives will get to take part in the program at the 2022 AFCA Convention.
Full AFCA 35 Under 35 List 
https://bit.ly/AFCA35
 
Tech RB Khalil Herbert was named to the 2021 East-West Shrine Bowl All-Star list. 
Despite the 2021 East-West Shrine Bowl being cancelled due to challenges presented by COVID-19, game organizers are announcing all-star selections throughout December to recognize outstanding senior seasons. In conjunction with the National Football League, players will participate in virtual training sessions in preparation for the NFL Draft.
 
Herbert currently leads the nation with 1,629 all-purpose yards and ranks third among Power Five players (min. five games), averaging 162.9 ypg. The Ft. Lauderdale, Florida native leads all active ACC players, averaging 102.0 rushing ypg. Saturday vs. Clemson he became the 14th player in Tech history to register a 1,000-yard rushing season. 
 


 
The 96th annual East-West Shrine Bowl had been scheduled for January 23, 2021, at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida. The student-athletes will participate in various virtual training/informational drills with current NFL coaches and members of the NFL Operations staff. 
 
In other news, five Tech alums will on the field tonight for Monday Night Football as the Washington Football Team (CB Kendall Fuller, DT Tim Settle and TE Logan Thomas) host the Pittsburgh Steelers (S Terrell Edmunds and RB Trey Edmunds). Online voting for the Pro Bowl is now underway. Vote for your favorite Hokies: bit.ly/VT-ProBowlVote