Former Nansemond-Suffolk Academy standout Daniel Griffith is hoping to break into the linebacker rotation for his redshirt sophomore season at Virginia Tech after showing his contributions to last year’s special teams.

“I’m looking forward to competing with my teammates this year,” Griffith said. “We have a young squad with a chip on our shoulder.”

Virginia Tech’s football team will head into the season ranked among the top 25 teams in most of the preseason polls. After going 9-4 last season, Virginia Tech will be looking to out due themselves from 2017.

As a redshirt freshman last season, he played in 11 of the 13 games the team had. Most of his field time came on special teams, but this season he is hoping to crack the linebacker rotation and get on the field a little bit more.

“My special team’s responsibilities continue to grow, and the just increases confidence,” he said. “I am hoping to crack the linebacker rotation this season.”

Griffith is comfortable and confident heading into this season, and he believes he has a good feel for the defense. There are always big expectations playing for a program like Virginia Tech it’s something Griffith embraces.

“From the moment we stepped onto campus, Coach Foster instills the expectations that are needed to carry on our great defense,” he said. “Everything goes out the window from walk-ons to All-Americans and everyone starts with a clean slate. Everyone is held to the same expectations.”

Griffith competed for three seasons at Western Branch High School and finished his high school career out at Nansemond-Suffolk Academy. He helped NSA win a state title while only playing in six games.