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Defensive end Kory Robertson (6-4, 270, 4.8 forty) of Magna Vista High in Ridgeway, Virginia has verbally committed to the Hokies. Robertson's commitment was announced by the Richmond Times-Dispatch this afternoon.

Magna Vista Coach Joe Beckelheimer told us that Robertson received his Virginia Tech scholarship offer yesterday and committed right away. He hadn't seen the campus until he attended the Tom Lemming photo shoot on May 5th, and Beckelheimer says Robertson felt right at home.

"That was the first time he had visited Blacksburg and the campus, and he really liked the campus. He liked the football stadium and all the facilities. It's a down-to-earth atmosphere, they've always had an open door policy with us, and it's a very comfortable setting to me. I think it was to him, too, and I think that was real important."

Despite his size, Robertson plays defensive end in high school, mostly because he is a gifted athlete for a player with his bulk. "He's about 6-4, 270, and he'll run a 4.8 forty," Beckelheimer said. "He's real quick off the ball and has got great feet for a big guy. He's got tremendously-sized hands, just huge hands, and he's real good at shedding blocks. He's a coaches player. He works hard in practice, he says 'Yes sir and no sir.'"

Robertson plays basketball and participates in outdoor track, also. "He had never played basketball before in his life, but he went out for the team this year and wound up starting. And I think he just won the district in discus."

At Virginia Tech, Robertson's ultimate destination is probably defensive tackle. "With his athleticism, we could afford to play him out there (at defensive end). I had the luxury of being able to move him out there," Beckelheimer said. "The way they (VT) talk, with his frame, they think he'll carry 315, and they'll move him down and have an athletic defensive tackle."

Robertson also plays on the offensive line at Magna Vista. "He plays right guard for me on offense. We're wing-T, so he's pulling all the time."

Robertson was drawing the most interest from East Carolina, Tech, and Virginia, but the Hokies were the first to offer, Beckelheimer said. "East Carolina pretty much told him that if he came to their summer camp, they would offer him at camp. UVa is very interested in him, too," but the Cavaliers have not extended an offer yet.

As for Robertson's personality, "He's one of the nicest, most polite, respectable kids around. You could take him and put him in a classroom back in the 60's, and he would fit right in, as far as discipline and attitude. That's what's great about him to me. He's a real hard worker, and I'm happy for him."

Junior year stats (estimated by Beckelheimer): 8 sacks, 5 other tackles for loss, 42 tackles total for 10-2 Magna Vista. Deadlifts 640 pounds, has a 2.6 GPA, and has not taken the SAT's yet.

Robertson is not ranked in the state of Virginia by Doug Doughty, but that could change with Doughty's August rankings. He is Tech's second verbal for the 2003 recruiting class, joining Centreville (VA offensive lineman Matt Welsh), the #3-ranked player in the state of Virginia per Doug Doughty, who committed to Tech on May 7th.

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