Virginia Tech football: 31 days til kickoff with a look back at Brandon Facyson

Today is July 31, 2019, which means we are just 31 days away from the Virginia Tech Hokies opening the college football season at Boston College. Yesterday, for No. 32 we profiled former running back Darren Evans, who led the Hokies in rushing in both 2008 and 2010.

For No. 31, we look back at former cornerback, Brandon Facyson. Facyson arrived in Blacksburg in 2013, in the same class as fellow cornerback and five-star recruit, Kendall Fuller. A three-star recruit from Newnan, Ga., the 6’2” Facyson quickly established himself as a starter in a defensive backfield consisting of Kendall Fuller, Kyle Fuller and Kyshoen Jarrett.

As a freshman that season, Facyson played in 12 games, making nine starts. He finished with 27 tackles and led the Hokies with five interceptions. He also broke up eight passes and had 13 passes defended. Facyson was named a freshman All-American after his standout debut campaign.

As a sophomore in 2014, things were quite different for Facyson. He began the season as the starting cornerback, playing in three games and making three starts, but struggled. His struggles were due to a leg injury that ended his season prematurely and he received a medical redshirt.

Facyson returned in 2015, playing in all 13 games, making 10 starts. He finished with 31 tackles, 10 pass breakups and 10 passes defended. At times, Facyson didn’t always resemble the same player from 2013 as he was still bothered by the previous leg injury.

In 2016, Facyson played in and started all 14 games for the Hokies. He quietly began returning to his previous form and set a career-high in tackles with 48, including four for loss. He also broke up 11 passes, had 11 passes defended and forced two fumbles. Facyson, who had already graduated with dual degrees in biology and sociology, contemplated entering the NFL Draft in 2016, however, decided to return for his final season of eligibility.

As a senior in 2017, Facyson played in all 13 games, making 11 starts. He finished with 19 tackles and broke up five passes. For his career, Facyson ended up playing in 55 games and making 47 starts. He was a reliable starter throughout his career and while he never matched his interception total from his rookie season, Facyson ended up being another terrific representative for ‘DBU.’

He went undrafted in 2018, much of which was due to the injuries he battled in college. However, the Los Angeles Chargers signed him to a three-year contract and Facyson made the team. Not only did he make the team, he was a contributor immediately. He was a standout on special teams and also contributed as a backup at corner. He played in 15 games as a rookie.

Facyson appears set for a solid NFL career and after that he could have an even more productive career. Facyson’s dream is to become a heart surgeon and if he had not made an NFL team, he would still be in school pursuing that dream.

Facyson was a terrific and consistent Hokie who remains an excellent representative of Virginia Tech.