Photos by Matt Gentry | The Roanoke Times

Virginia Tech tight end Sam Wheeler tore an ACL last season against Georgia Tech.

Tech tight end Sam Wheeler (18) had 15 receptions for 211 yards in 2007 before tearing an ACL in the ninth game vs. Georgia Tech.

BLACKSBURG -- Two years ago, Sam Wheeler was seemingly on the top of the world.

He was the hometown Blacksburg High star who had quickly made good, starting at tight end on Virginia Tech's football team as a third-year sophomore.

Right out of the box, Wheeler caught seven passes for 81 yards, including a 28-yard touchdown in the Hokies' 17-7 victory over East Carolina in the 2007 season opener.

"We really like Sam Wheeler," Tech coach Frank Beamer said that day.

Wheeler had 15 receptions for 211 yards -- pretty good numbers for a Tech tight end -- when his world went crumbling down after he shredded his left ACL in the ninth game at Georgia Tech.

"First time I had ever been hurt, seriously," Wheeler said.

And the long road back hasn't been easy. While he was medically cleared to play last season, Wheeler never got back to the speed where he could figure in a crowded rotation that included Greg Boone, Andre Smith and Chris Drager, and saw only minimal special-team action in three games.

Now comes his final year at Tech. While he's still stuck behind fellow senior Greg Boone, a preseason All-ACC choice, and junior Andre Smith on the depth chart, Wheeler is determined to become a contributing factor on a Tech club that harbors aspirations of making a run at a national title.

"It's kind of frustrating not having played in a season and a half, but I'm ready to go," pronounced Wheeler, following the Hokies' fifth preseason workout Monday.

"Right now, I'm getting more into the mix, and I'm competing for some playing time. I'm just enjoying being out there with no pain, no drawbacks. It's been a really long time."

Facing a last-chance season, Wheeler, 23, desperately wants to resurface and make a notable difference for his hometown team.

"I've changed my work ethic. I've changed what I eat. I've changed how I've done things as far as in the classroom and extra stuff off the field," Wheeler said. "I've dedicated myself to working harder, running extra, and I'm doing my best to go out right.

"I feel like if I can make a little dent somewhere, then I can myself getting some playing time. It's hard to be a two-year starter and come back and then you're the third guy, and then second on special teams. I know the guys in front of me are going to get the job done, and I'm going to be that extra guy. And when they need some help somewhere on the field, hopefully, I can be the guy to help them out."

Offensive coordinator Bryan Stinespring, who coaches the tight ends, said Wheeler has started to look like the player he saw two years. Wheeler's assets always have been size, ability to move, change direction, get open, and then catch the ball.

Stinespring, a longtime war history buff, said he loves how Wheeler has battled his way in position to get back on the field for one last final shot.

"I thought this offseason that Sam has been a different guy ... he's moving well and he's knowing he's got to get out here and get himself back into playing time," Stinespring said.

"Like last Sunday, the players had like a two-hour break, but when I passed by the weight room there was Sam on the StairMaster, getting another 40-minute workout and keeping himself ready to go.

"He's worked himself back in position. I just don't want him to backstep right now. He's battled too hard to this point. And we want to see him back on the field, make some plays and have some success. I hope it happens for him."

So does the player.

"Yes," a grinning Wheeler said, "it would be nice to go out of here with a bang. That's what I want to do."