FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- Brandon Flowers might not be the early "long-goner" to the NFL that many Virginia Tech fans have feared.

The NFL advisory committee that rates underclassmen's status for the league's draft gave the Hokies' standout junior cornerback a "second round" grade, according to his father.

"We were hopeful the committee would say he's a first-round guy, but we know the committee is probably being conservative," Willie Flowers said. "It's Brandon's decision. Whatever he does is OK with me."

Flowers maintained earlier this month that if he didn't receive assurance he would be a "lock first-round pick" that he would likely return to Tech for his senior season. He indicated he will not make a final decision about the draft until after the Hokies' Thursday meeting with Kansas in the Orange Bowl.

Flowers was unavailable for comment Sunday since Tech's second on-site bowl practice was closed to the media.

On Dec. 11 in Blacksburg, Flowers noted that he would relish the role of being a senior leader on Tech's defense next season.

"I think it would be a fun role being the leader," said Flowers, whose family hails from nearby Delray Beach. "Just to be the older guy ... like a lot of the younger guys in the secondary look up to me. I think I could keep everybody level-headed because I know when it's serious time and when it's time to joke."

Macho Harris, Tech's other junior starting corner, and junior quarterback Sean Glennon also sent in their paperwork, asking the advisory committee to give them a draft ranking. Harris was not available for comment. Glennon, one of six Tech offensive players at Sunday's news conference, said he has yet to receive his grade.

"Oh, Brandon got his back ... I think I'll give my mom a call and see if I've gotten my letter in the mail," said Glennon, as he exited the news conference.

No big deal

Is Kansas defensive coordinator Bill Young overly concerned about facing the Hokies' dual-quarterback offense? Doesn't sound like it.

"We've spent a lot of time studying their film," Young said. "It's to the point now that you put a tape in there you know what the next play is. You've seen it so many times.

"There shouldn't be any excuses from a knowledge standpoint about what they've done in the past. We know they'll have some new wrinkles and we will, too. When they pull out their bag of tricks, we've got to be prepared."

Praising the boss

Offensive coordinator Bryan Stinespring said Beamer is not only a role model for his players, but his assistant coaches, too.

"Other than my father, he has been the single biggest influence on me in my life ... not just as a football coach but as a person," Stinespring said. "I think the way you conduct yourself personally, professionally. If he has that kind of effect on grown and mature men, imagine what he does for those young people he's in charge of.

"The best accolade I could give you is I hope one day if my son [Daniel], who is 13, ever has a chance to play college football, I certainly hope he would play for Coach Beamer. I know he's going to be a better man, better player, and better person because of him."

And the Vicks?

When a reporter asked about all the brother combinations that Tech has had in their program, Beamer rattled off the names of the Warrens (Brett and Beau), the Adibis (Nathaniel and Xavier), the Martins (Orion and Cam) and the Lewis boys (Kevin and Jonathan).

Whether it was simply temporary memory fade or what, Beamer didn't mention the most famous player he's ever had, Michael Vick, and his brother, Marcus.