Merry Christmas Hokies! I hope each and every one of you reading this are doing well on this celebration of the birth of Jesus, and this day to spend time with family.
Before we get into our normal midweek rundown on this quieter week in the world of Hokie sports, I want to take a minute to reflect on this day and how Christmas should challenge all of us to reflect on our response to what this day celebrates.
A Christmas Reflection
If you live in America, you probably have a basic understanding of what Christmas is and celebrates.
If not, what a great holiday this is to celebrate the birth of God’s Son Jesus Christ who out of His love came to save you and me despite none of us doing anything to deserve it. Today is the celebration of joy from Heaven knowing that man’s bondage to sin and righteous punishment for it would finally be paid once and for all, by the coming life, death, and resurrection of the Son of God. That man did nothing to deserve it yet have received a precious gift from God.
The birth of Jesus is easy to celebrate on Christmas and then His life on Easter, but my question for you as you reflect today is what is your response.
See it’s easy to culturally believe in America and have no one ask whether you truly believe because true belief and true faith requires transformation.
We see it all the time in sports with some coaches who can win press conferences and can speak great ideals, yet fail to back it up. Meanwhile, others not only say they’re going to be about something, but back it up with a response that is the proof they actually believe what they’re saying.
So if we evaluate responses to see if coaches or players are really who they say they are, how much more that is true that the responses and actions we take in each of our lives are proof as to whether we truly believe in Jesus or if we just enjoy a couple holidays.
Look at the story of the Magi who travel hundreds of miles just to see this child they’ve heard from angels about, and then take a vastly different route to protect this child from a king eager to kill this Messiah.
Look at Simeon who was promised that he would see God’s Son and then had to wait decades, but remained faithful building His life upon waiting for God’s promise to be fulfilled, and then being in the temple when Jesus was brought to it for the first time. That promise changed his life and has him personally named in the most popular selling book of all time by a wide margin over 2,000 years later.
Look at Anna who became a widow young and then was consistent in the temple day and night worshipping God. That consistent response of worship led to her clearly seeing Christ when Jesus was brought to the temple as a baby.
Look at Joseph who doesn’t leave Mary even when he may look bad to the public who doesn’t realize the glorious truth of what really is happening.
Look at both Mary and Joseph who listen to God and flee the land for Egypt when Herod tries to hunt down and kill Jesus, sadly killing thousands of babies in the process.
Look at Peter who leaves his career behind just to follow Jesus and goes all the way to his own death for Jesus.
Look at the other disciples who go through being martyred, exiled, and all sorts of persecution because they felt Jesus was worth a grand response and life.
Look at Mary and Martha who both stand by Jesus even when He gets crucified on the Cross, with these women preparing His body for burial rather than going into hiding or fleeing Jesus.
So as you enjoy time with family and celebrate this glorious day, ask yourself if you truly believe Jesus because the Scriptures point to belief leading to an incredible, life-changing response for all who truly believe in Jesus. Just like James writes, our works and response doesn’t save us, but it is the proof that we actually do believe in Jesus. So I, as those who’ve gone before me, will strive to show my faith by my works and response knowing that it is God who alone saves me and you by His incredible grace that we can never do anything to deserve. How great that reality is knowing that even when we fail, God’s grace that came down at Christmas is what simply saves us and transforms us for a life-changing response to believing in Him.
Now onto the Midweek Rundown.
The Midweek Rundown
Matt Moore Named OL Coach: The headline of the week was Virginia Tech hiring West Virginia’s Matt Moore as their new offensive line coach. Moore is a fantastic hire who coached three All-Americans and several all-conference players during his six seasons at WVU, while having plenty of success at previous stops including Texas Tech and Troy. Moore also has experience as an offensive coordinator (Troy: 2018) and as a co-offensive coordinator (Troy: 2015-17, WVU: 2019) that should also prove valuable for this program. Check out recruit reaction to the hiring of Moore here.
Expanding the Brother Tradition: Virginia Tech added another family to their list of brothers or father-sons to play for Virginia Tech as DII standout DB Joseph Reddish committed to the Hokies, joining his brother Quentin Reddish. Joseph Reddish had a standout season at Wingate with four interceptions and 11 pass breakups. He also has three years of eligibility remaining and can at least provide good depth while giving him time to develop further. He also doesn’t have a redshirt year available, so he could be a possible option for a special teams role in 2025.
Hokies Among Final 3 for Sam Phillips: According to On3’s Pete Nakos, Virginia Tech is among the final three for Chattanooga All-SoCon First Team WR Sam Phillips along with Iowa and Memphis. The Hokies have been rumored to be the favorite for the 5’9’’ Phillips, who had 50 catches for 823 yards and three touchdowns in only ten games this past season including eight catches for 195 yards and a touchdown against FBS Georgia State this season. VT is among the schools Phillips has visited, with Iowa and California among the other schools also either landing visits or pushing for visits from Phillips.
VT Offers DII Star: Virginia Tech extended an offer to DII star WR Reginald Vick, who had 57 catches for 1,394 yards and 15 touchdowns for Virginia Union this past season. Arkansas and Wake Forest are among the other notable offers for Vick, one of the best lower level players in the transfer portal. Vick is a 6’2’’ WR with two years of eligibility remaining who would profile as a bigger target to pair with Chanz Wiggins and complement Ayden Greene and Keylen Adams.
Keli Lawson Heads to UCF: On a transferring out front, former Virginia Tech LB Keli Lawson has signed with UCF. Lawson is the seventh Hokie to transfer to a different Power 4 program this offseason; joining Mansoor Delane (LSU), Xavier Chaplin (Auburn), Braelin Moore (LSU), Mose Phillips (Missouri), Chance Fitzgerald (Vanderbilt), and Gunner Givens (Vanderbilt).
Sheldon Robinson Wins Award: Incoming Virginia Tech DB Sheldon Robinson was named the Prep League Defensive Player of the Year in Virginia. While the Hokies have brought in two safeties via the transfer portal so far, there are hopes that Robinson could contribute as a freshman though there likely won’t be pressure on needing him to do so.
VT Makes the Top 12 for 4* OL Darius Gray: Virginia Tech made the top 12 for four-star OL Darius Gray along with Georgia, Ohio State, Clemson, Oregon, Penn State, Alabama, Michigan, Tennessee, LSU, South Carolina, and Virginia. He had this to say about why the Hokies made his top 12.
“A school that saw potential in me from the very beginning, a school that is continuing to improve in football, and a great coaching staff as well as being close to home!” Gray said.
Gray will obviously be a priority target for new VT OL coach Matt Moore in what is a loaded 2026 offensive line class in Virginia.
WBB Last Team in NCAA Tournament Per ESPN: ESPN’s Charlie Creme released his latest Bracketology on Tuesday with Virginia Tech remaining as the ‘Last Team In’ following their dominant 81-46 victory over Campbell. The Hokies are off till January 2nd when they host Florida State at Cassell Coliseum.
