2008 College Football Preview

Matt Gentry | The Roanoke Times

Victor Harris will be a two-way threat. | See a closeup

Virginia Tech

• Virginia Tech reloads for 2008 football season
• Macho Harris may double dip this season
• Aaron McFarling: In football, is it chicken or the egg?
• Virginia Tech's schedule

Virginia

• Virginia to endure survivor series as players go missing
• Winning 2007 season seems like ancient history for Virginia football
• Virginia's schedule

Teams in the area

• Ferrum: Dual quarterbacks on horizon for Ferrum | Ferrum at a glance
• VMI: Fresh start for VMI, coaching vet Woods | VMI at a glance
• Washington & Lee: New digs, schemes for Washington and Lee | W&L at a glance
• Southern Virginia: Schedule could be tougher for Knights | SVU at a glance

The ACC

• ACC suffering from conference inadequacy
• ACC capsules & players to watch
• 10 ACC games to watch
• Staff picks for the season

BLACKSBURG — If Victor “Macho” Harris has his way, the popular 1978 disco song will make a rousing comeback as one of the music-list fixtures on game days at Lane Stadium this fall.

Let’s boogie down, the guy says.

In addition to his regular duties of being one of the nation’s top cornerbacks, Harris plans on doing a lot of dancing on the other side of the football as a play-making wide receiver for Virginia Tech’s offense.

“If anybody can pull it off, it’s this guy,” Hokies defensive backs coach Torrian Gray said. “He wants to show that he can do it all.

“Hey, the guy’s nickname is Macho, you know, and he feels like he can take on the world!”

So much so that he’s not a bit afraid to utter the words “Heisman Trophy.”

Harris certainly didn’t mince words on the topic during Tech’s Aug. 9 media day at Lane. He let everyone know that college football’s most prestigious award can be found on his radar screen, if not others.

“My goal is to win the Heisman,” Harris told reporters.

“I feel like I’ve been given the opportunity to go out there and showcase my talent, and I feel blessed to be in this position, so that’s what I’m going to do.”

A long shot? Most definitely.

Impossible? Not exactly.

Another corner, Charles Woodson, turned the trick in 1997 for national champion Michigan. Working similar multi-tasking duties, Woodson had eight interceptions, returned a punt for a touchdown, ran for a touchdown and caught two TD passes.

Woodson, currently in his 11th NFL season with the Green Bay Packers, is the only primarily full-time defensive player to ever capture the award, beating out quarterback Peyton Manning of Tennessee.

Like Woodson, the 6-foot-2, 192-pound Harris will handle punt-return chores for Tech.

That’s a first for Harris, who averaged 34.7 yards on six return kickoff returns last season, including a 100-yard jaunt for a score in Tech’s 41-23 romp at Clemson.

Harris, who entered last April’s NFL Draft as an underclassman only to withdraw his name two days later and announce his intentions to return for his senior season, has all the goods at cornerback.

Last season, he shared the team lead in interceptions (five) and led the ACC in passes defended (16) and passes broken up (11) en route to being selected first-team all-league.

“Everybody here knows where Macho’s future lies and that’s on defense,” said Gray, who has moved Harris from the field corner to the boundary corner, previously manned by Brandon Flowers.

“Macho understands he’s going in the draft [next April] as high as how he produces on the defensive side of the football.”

Though his future, not to mention a lot of fat paychecks with multiple commas, is at defensive back, Harris is eager to help out an offense that’s wafer-thin at wideout. The Tech coaches gave him some looks at receiver in spring practice and were impressed.

He’s been getting one practice period per day on offense in August preseason drills.

Senior quarterback Sean Glennon said anyone who didn’t know Harris’ background would have sworn the guy had a been a wideout his entire college career.

“I’d say he’s a natural for never having played that position before,” Glennon said.

“He can definitely help us. Macho has got a little speed on him, he’s got a little wiggle and he can make some stuff happen out of nothing, so I wouldn’t mind getting him for a few plays per game.”

Harris said when Tech recruited him out of Highland Springs High, Hokies coach Frank Beamer promised to give him a shot at playing one day on both sides of the ball. Tech’s lack of depth at wideout helped spur Beamer to make good on the deal now.

“Definitely, I love the ball in my hand,” said Harris, who averaged 10.4 yards per carry and scored touchdowns six different ways in being named a Parade All-American his senior year at Highland Springs.

“Whenever I have the ball in my hands, I’m just thinking to score or make something big happen.

“I’ve been waiting for this since my freshman year. Coach Beamer told me he would give me an opportunity and it’s arrived, and I’m ready to fulfill my dream.”

The unknown is just how much the Hokies will utilize Harris at wide receiver.

Beamer said he’s concerned about using him too much on an offense that’s desperately looking for big-play guys. Foster and offensive coordinator Bryan Stinespring, both want the Macho man as much as possible in their groups.

“Right now, we’re losing all our wide receivers, basically, so I understand the situation,” Foster said.

“I’m a team guy all the way, whatever is best for our football team. We’ll do some things, run some reverses, some quick screens, use him as a 'sucker’ guy, too, so you’re not always giving him the ball when he’s out there.

“But we need him to play on our side, too. We’ve got to be good on that side to give ourselves a chance.”

Harris said he has no idea how many snaps he may get at wideout.

“I’m pretty sure the coaches have a feel of when they want me in there,” said Harris. “I’m hoping for seven to 10 touches a game. Whatever, I don’t think it’s going to be too much for me.”

The coaches have been vague, however, in just how much No. 1 will reside on offense.

“I don’t blame them. Why would you tip your hand?” said Harris, laughing.

Junior free safety Kam Chancellor said his secondary mate is loving all the attention that comes with being a rare two-way player.

“Oh, Macho is eating all this up right now … he’s so excited,” a grinning Chancellor said.

“Hey, if Macho has got to play a little bit of offense for us to go out there and destroy teams, then that’s what he’s got to do.

“Hey, face it, he’s the Macho man! End of story.”