Star CB Dorian Strong is among a small group of Hokies who were part of Virginia Tech’s 2020 roster, making him one of the elder statesman of the program at this point. Strong could have easily gone to the NFL after last season and become a day 2 or 3 draft pick but chose to return instead, making him one of the top returning cornerbacks in college football.
In getting to this point, Strong had some good mentors in his early days in Blacksburg that played important roles in his development.
“Probably would have to say Alan Tisdale. I feel like he brought me under his wing early on, and also Brion Murray. Brion is my guy. Definitely when I came to the room, he was the first one to kind of help me get my feet under me, help me understand Coach [Ryan Smith] at the time,” Strong said.
Over the course of his time at Tech, Strong has also become a leader among the defensive backs, embracing the opportunities he has to be a leader. This leadership role started back in 2022 with the arrival of another future star in Mansoor Delane.
Since then, Strong has taken on a leadership role in helping Delane develop in all aspects while forming one of the best cornerbacks duos in the country with him.
“I feel like he’s grown. I would call him my first project just cause on the leadership front, they had been pushing leadership on me very heavy and I feel like he was the first person I really bought into. It’s been super fun to see him grow, just get out of the childishness, the unselfishness [he’s grown into]. He’s really grown into being a good man and also a good football player. So I’m proud that I can say I was there for a majority of his changes,” Strong said.
Strong’s mentorship of Mansoor Delane was the first chance he had to be a leader among the defensive backs, but he’s since taken on further responsibility to develop the next wave of cornerbacks and build them up into stars
That includes rising sophomores Dante Lovett and Braylon Johnson, who both earned backup opportunities as freshman and seem ready to take the next steps. So far this offseason, Strong has seen both of those guys take steps forward as he works to build up their confidence.
“I’ve seen a lot of great flashes of great talent. The spring was a tough one just trying to make them understand like ‘hey, yes y’all got your feet wet so now it’s time to stack days, consistency. It’s all about consistency.’ So that was the main thing with them, just trying to make them understand consistency, confidence in their abilities. Really Dante (Lovett), just trying to get him to be more confident. Braylon has that confidence. Moreso I feel like Braylon needs more gametime reps for sure. But it’s been super fun coaching them up, I feel like those are my next two projects I’m working on, on the leadership front. Just trying to groom them boys into great football players and great men at the end of the day,” Strong said.
However, Strong’s mentorship goes beyond the cornerbacks to the safeties as well including rising sophomore Mose Phillips.
That includes Phillips going with Dorian Strong to Atlanta to work with renowned defensive backs coach Oliver Davis. Through all that, Strong has been giving Phillips whatever advice he can to help him go from an inconsistent freshman with flashes of great potential, to a more consistent playmaker as a sophomore.
“Confidence and being a smart football player. I feel like you got, they call them ‘crash outs’ on the team, guys who just want to hit you as hard as they can. As a freshman, he already got kicked out of one game, got another targeting. So I told him like ‘look, I know you want the big hit, I know you want to be that big bruiser but calm down and just relax.’ It’s about being poised. Yes go out there and make the big hit, but sometimes it doesn’t have to be a big hit, it can be just a regular tackle. Or instead of you thinking about the big hit, go for the ball. Go make a play actually instead of just a big hit. Guys love big hits, big this this; I’m like ‘nah, go for the play, go for the ball’,” Strong said.
It’s easy to see the impact that Dorian Strong is making on the field for the Hokies, but he’s also leaving his mark as a leader and mentor off the field.
Looking for the best coverage and analysis of the Hokies? Become a TLP Insider today here.
