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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.

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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.