After standing in line for four years, Jud Dunlevy now faces the difficult task of replacing the most accurate place-kicker in Virginia Tech football history.

No problem, he says. This is what he's been waiting for since he walked on with the Hokies in 2003.

"It's now or never for me," Dunlevy said. "I knew I would have at least one year to try and make a name for myself."

Stuck behind Brandon Pace and his 85.3 percent marksmanship (58 for 68) the past three years, Dunlevy came out of last April's spring practice ahead of fellow senior Jared Develli as the frontrunner for the job.

"Dunlevy is our guy," Tech coach Frank Beamer said then.

"It was good to hear," Dunlevy said. "I like having the ball in my court in that situation. It's what I do. I can worry about everything else. I've just got to take advantage of it."

Dunlevy understands he will have to prove himself again in August practice.

The Roanoke Rapids, N.C., native also realizes why some Tech fans may have concerns about a kicker whose only college experience has come in junior varsity games. He has kicked off numerous times for the Hokies.

"I've never attempted a field goal yet, so it's all ahead of me," Dunlevy said. "I kicked a 51-yard game-winner in a JV game [in 2005] and that was a good feeling. At the same time, that was a different stage out there ... it was in front of 8,000 instead of 70,000."

Dunlevy is no stranger to Lane Stadium. Growing up, he used to come with his father, Steve, a 1979 Tech graduate, and family to several games a year.

"I've been a Hokie for 22 years," a grinning Dunlevy said. "I grew up a Hokie and I'm glad that I could come up here and play."

Now it's time to deliver the goods for a Tech club that will enter the season ranked somewhere among the nation's top 15.

"I'm having fun picturing myself out there," he said. "Now it's just go out there and do your job."

Checking in early

In a move that will help them get acclimated quicker with their new surroundings, 17 true freshmen have enrolled in the Tech's second summer session of classes that began Monday. The group includes highly touted quarterback Tyrod Taylor of Hampton.

Collin Carroll, a center and long snapper from Minnesota, will report for the start of preseason practice next month. Courtney Prince, a defensive tackle from Maryland, will enroll in January. Linebacker Alonzo Tweedy of Richmond, running back D.J. Thomas of Ashland, and "athlete" Kendrick Pressley of South Carolina will enroll in January at the earliest.

Linebacker Quillie Odom is expected to enroll at Hargrave Military Academy and report to Tech in January.

Offensive lineman William Alvarez of Woodbridge is waiting to receive NCAA Clearinghouse approval.

New Dukes

Heiden Ratner, a 6-foot-1 guard from Silverado High in Las Vegas, was James Madison's only men's basketball signee in the spring period.

Dean Keener's Dukes will welcome three transfers. Junior Addulai Jalloh (St. Joseph's) and sophomore Dazzmond Thornton (Texas Tech) will be eligible this fall. Redshirt freshman Stephen Kendall will become eligible at the end of the fall semester.

Up for awards

Members of the Atlantic Coast Sports Media Association are currently weighing their votes for 2006-07 ACC male and female athlete of the year.

Virginia Tech nominated senior basketball player Zabian Dowdell and junior softball pitcher Angela Tincher of Eagle Rock. UVa nominated junior tennis player Somdev Devvarman, the NCAA champion, and senior golfer Leah Wigger.

Around the horn

How rabid is LSU's football following? Tigers fans have requested a school-record 33,000 tickets for the Nov. 3 game at Alabama. ... Justin Tuggle, son of 2007 College Football Hall of Fame inductee Jessie Tuggle of Valdosta State, has committed to Boston College. ... Former Miami football coach Larry Coker will be an analyst on ESPNU telecasts this fall. ... Clemson-Auburn and North Carolina-Air Force recently finalized future series in football. Auburn and Clemson will meet for the 46th time in 2010. ... Colorado and West Virginia have agreed on a home-and-home football series starting in 2008. ... Georgia Tech's "Ramblin' Wreck" 1930s vintage auto crashed on the way to a recent wedding appearance in Savannah. School officials hope to have it repaired in time for the Yellow Jackets' Sept. 8 home opener against Samford.