{mosimage} Over the last four years there has been a staple of the Virginia Tech football family. Is it their defense? No. Is it their stud linebackers Xavier Adibi and Vince Hall? No. Is it there homegrown hero coach, Frank Beamer? No. All of those are great, but the staple which I'm referring to, the guy whom has quietly led the Hokies to a 42-11 record during his four years at the school is Eddie Royal, the quiet, gifted, and humble receiver out of Herndon, Virginia.

Four years ago when Royal came to Blacksburg he was a highly regarded prospect coming out of Westfield High School where he was teammates with his current quarterback and partner in crime Sean Glennon. The two teamed up for one of the more lethal quarterback-receiving duos in the nation and led their high school to a Group AAA Division 6 state championship and a record of 14-0. Royal was rated as the #13 receiver nationally by Rivals and was poised to be a star in a Hokie uniform. This is where, abruptly, the hype ended.

Since stepping on the field at Lane Stadium in 2004, starting as a true freshman, Royal has been going about his business in a quiet way ever since. Quietly as far as the public is concerned at least. His coach, on the other hand, knows just how special of a player Royal truly is; "He's an explosive guy.....I've told this story a lot of times. When I recruited him and went to his house, he had a video there of all his long plays and it took about 45 minutes to run.....he's just got it, some people have it and he does for sure." Though the average football fan might not realize it, Royal has been about as consistent a football player as any in major college football over the last four years. Fans almost forget he's even there until he turns on the jets and makes another huge play. Then it's back to the blue-collar life again, going to class, minding his own business. Just another face in the crowd, Royal is one of the most versatile and explosive players entering the 2008 NFL Draft and has gained over 1,000 yards during his Virginia Tech career in receiving, kickoff returns, and punt returns.

Royal does not take the virtues of strength, hard work, and family lightly either. One of his major reasons for coming to VT was due to the family atmosphere that he loved so much in Blacksburg. Despite his "small" frame, he has consistently been looked to at as the go-to receiver for the Hokies the last couple of seasons and has worked to earn his way to being named All-ACC twice in 2006 and 2007 and an honorable mention SI.com All-American in 2006.

{mosimage} It is rare that you find a receiver in today's game with Royal's work ethic and maturity. Of course, having been raised mostly by his single parent mother, flanked by his Regimental Commander sister Christina Royal and fellow collegiate football player brother Chris Royal (a safety at Marshall), as well as having been through 2007's Virginia Tech school shooting tragedy this comes as no real surprise. To a player like Royal, football is a passion, but is not all that the world is made of and for this reason he is even stronger. Before entering at Virginia Tech in 2004, Royal said in an interview with VirginiaPreps.com; "I've worked so hard....and I know that I'm not that 6'4" guy so I've got to out think you, I've got to do everything that I can to get that advantage because I'm not that big."

He certainly has been able to get the best of opposing teams over his collegiate career.

You will find that this versatile, do-it-all athlete is not ranked among the top 5 receivers on most draft boards heading into this month's much anticipated draft, however, after seeing his abilities on display at the recent NFL Combine, one has to wonder why he's not in that elite group. Royal possesses all the typical features of a 5'9", 185-pound player such as terrific speed at sub 4.4 levels, quick feet, and a 36" vertical leap. However, he also possesses some deceptive characteristics that you rarely find in an athlete of his size such as hands that seem to be made of glue and an apparent 390-pound bench press (he benched 365 pounds in 2005, setting a Virginia Tech receiver record). This deceptive strength, iron-trap hands, obscene athletic ability, precise route-running, and a work ethic not capable of being measured all set Eddie Royal up to be a force in the NFL for years to come and someone that teams will regret passing up down the road.

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Effen said:

	Well written! As a Hokie fan we loved Eddie and even gave him his own chant when he headed onto the field for punt returns. This guy is the real deal and disagree if you wish, but he reminds me somewhat of a Terry Glenn type reciever.
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April 05, 2008
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Lloyds Apple said:

	This is a quality article. Comparing him to Terry Glen might be a bit overboard. Glenn had lik 90 catches in year one with the Patriots and won the biletnikoff award in his first year of real action at Ohio State.
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April 11, 2008
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