Today is May 29, 2019, and we are exactly 94 days away from Virginia Tech’s opening game at Boston College. As we look forward to the 2019 season, we take a look back at past Hokie greats. Since today represents 94 days, we profile former Virginia Tech defensive tackle, Chad Beasley.
Beasley came to Virginia Tech in 1997 and his playing career spanned from 1997-2001, redshirting in 1997 before enjoying a strong career with the Hokies. A legacy recruit, Beasley’s father Tom is a Hokie legend, Chad came to Blacksburg from Gate City High in southwestern Virginia as a 6’4”, 235-pound defensive tackle, picking the Hokies over Tennessee and N.C. State.
After his redshirt season, Beasley packed on muscle and became a contributor along the defensive line in 1998. Each year, Beasley became an even bigger contributor and was a part of some of the best defensive units in school history. The 1999 defensive line that featured Beasley, John Engelberger, Corey Moore and David Pugh is arguably the best group in school history. This group could rush the passer and was also stout against the run. The combo of Beasley and Pugh inside were as good a defensive tackle duo as Bud Foster has ever had.
While defensive tackles from that era didn’t often show up in the stat column, Beasley did manage to make two All-Big East teams during his final two years with the Hokies and was an integral part of those Hokie teams during that time. Beasley was a terrific player and one of Tech’s leaders from that time, too.
After his time in Blacksburg, Beasley became a seventh-round pick of the Minnesota Vikings and would spend three years on the roster of the Cleveland Browns. The Browns moved Beasley to the offensive line where he would play in eight games, starting three. These days, Beasley is back in his native southwestern Virginia raising his family and supporting his alma mater.
What are your memories of Beasley? I remember an underrated player who was as important to Virginia Tech’s defense as any player during that four-year period.