Suiting up locally at Blacksburg High School just a little bit under five years ago, Virginia Tech wide receiver Cole Beck always dreamed of continuing to play in his hometown for the Hokies.
A former prized three-star recruit for the Bruins in the Class of 2018, Beck ultimately favored staying home over opportunities to play for the likes of North Carolina, Pittsburgh, Mississippi State, Louisville and Virginia, among multiple other Power Five offers.
Rushing for a whopping 4,723 yards throughout his career just down the road, it seemed as if the then-5-foot-11, 175-pounder pounder was destined for a successful career in the backfield during his extended stay in Blacksburg.
But after a multitude of injury woes and continued success on the track across the street at Rector Fieldhouse, Beck ultimately chose to focus on the sport in which he won 13 state championships during his time donning the Blacksburg blue and gold.
A two-time outdoor All-American, 2022 ACC Championships Track MVP and program record-holder at 100 meters during the outdoor season, the fifth-year senior certainly found his calling with Dave Cianelli’s track and field program.
And even as he transitions back to the gridiron in the meantime, Beck certainly seems to have found his identity as an accomplished sprinter over the past four academic years.
“Yeah, track’s fun,” Beck chuckled when reflecting on his track and field experience.
“I mean, this past year we had a great men’s and women’s team. [We] both won indoor [ACC] championships, made history there. Nothing would trade that experience, so I’m excited to get back out there after football season.”
For head coach Brent Pry and company, it wasn’t the Hokies’ staff that had to do the persuading to get the multi-sport athlete to once again return to the fold for the first time since 2019.
On the contrary, it was conceivably the opposite when the time came for Beck to make the decision to once again put on the pads.
“He had to convince me, convince us that he really wanted to do this,” the first-year head coach said. “This wasn’t just a ‘man, I’d love to be on the team again,’ this wasn’t going to be easy. It was going to be a tough transition back to football.”
For Beck himself, though, it was a no-brainer to make the move back into football. Even without having played a snap in an actual game since Blacksburg’s November 2017 loss to Salem High in the VHSL Class 4A State Semifinals.
“I’ve been wanting to play football all the way back even since I left it,” he expressed.
“Getting a little break was nice, but I’m excited to be back. My body feels good, the team’s looking great, it’s a great atmosphere around here. I’ve been really enjoying it, [so it’s] been great to be back.”
As Pry predicted, the adjustment back into football hasn’t always been easy, particularly with the technicalities of a game Beck’s been away from for almost three seasons.
“The playbook hasn’t been the easiest thing to learn,” Beck admitted. “My teammates and coaches have had to do a great deal of helping me learn quickly and to adapt to the process of going back to football.”
The progress made early on, however, has been certainly a welcomed sight to Tech’s staff as a whole when looking at the now-receiver's trajectory in 2022.
“Cole is really doing a nice job,” said offensive coordinator Tyler Bowen. “You see marked improvements every day. And obviously he has top-end speed that’s hard to coach,” he continued.
“There’s some things he can do from a vertical threat standpoint.”
Speaking of things he can do, Beck’s role for the 2022 campaign still remains a bit of a mystery. But for Bowen and company, they certainly know how the now-6-foot-1, 195-pounder can fit in.
“Fast,” the inaugural offensive coordinator said with a smile. “He fits in fast.”
“He was the fastest guy on the team the minute he stepped on the field,” Pry pointed out when talking about one of his latest additions. “He’s nicknamed ‘white lightning’ because that guy can run. I don’t have to see much more than that.”
So “white lighting,” huh? Where exactly did that one come from?
“I couldn’t tell you,” Beck said with a laugh. “That’s been since high school since they gave me that nickname. So I guess it’s just coming back into effect. I don’t even know if it’s a real legit nickname,” he claimed for himself.
Beck earned second team All-American honors as part of the 4x100 meter relay that finished 10th with a time of 38.99 seconds at the NCAA Championships. So speed certainly can be a factor for the Hokies in 2022 whether in the slot, on the outside or even in the return game.
Regardless, Beck certainly seems to have forced his way onto the radar for the maroon and orange in multiple different facets.
And for a hometown kid who once idolized those to suit up for Virginia Tech throughout his amateur career, that seems to be a good start to the final chapter in what has certainly been an unconventional journey to an eventual college football career.
“There was a lot of work going to be involved. Once [he proved he was committed] and once we kind of said we would do this, the work he put in this summer was impressive,” Pry pointed out.
“He really showed me that he’s committed to having success and making this thing work. So he’s done everything right to this point and he’s getting better every single day.”
And for a local who envisioned playing college football on Saturdays in the fall at Lane Stadium while playing his high school ball just four miles down the road on Prices Fork Road, there certainly had to be a sense of accomplishment for Beck to finally achieve a lifelong dream.
“There’s nothing better,” Beck said about staying in his hometown to play for Virginia Tech.
“I always wanted to be a Hokie. Finally being able to come out here and put this jersey on, play some ball. I mean, it’s such a great feeling for me."
