Va. Tech football: LB Gibson, from Salem High, to transfer

BLACKSBURG

Virginia Tech football coach Frank Beamer said Monday that starting linebacker Lyndell Gibson, a former Salem High star, is transferring at the end of this semester and won't be with the Hokies when spring practice begins Wednesday.

Beamer declined to comment further on Gibson, who played in 25 games for Tech, starting 18, and recorded 119 tackles, 8-1/2 for loss. The announcement comes after Gibson's Feb. 5 arrest for allegedly driving while intoxicated.

Gibson, who would have been a redshirt junior this fall, had been charged twice previously while enrolled at Tech. He received 12 months of probation for underage purchase/possession of alcohol in 2008 and was convicted in 2009 of "interfering with property rights," a reduced charge for stealing a bicycle on campus.

A month ago, Hokies athletic director Jim Weaver said he was "conducting a review process" on Gibson.

Now that he's gone, Tech will be busy this spring looking for Gibson's replacement at the "backer" position. Beamer said the early depth chart at that spot has Tariq Edwards at the top, then Chase Williams, followed by Granby High graduate Telvion Clark.

Edwards will be a redshirt sophomore next season. He played in 14 games last fall, recording 21 tackles, an interception and a forced fumble. Williams, a top recruit and son of New Orleans Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, will be a redshirt freshman. Clark, a rising redshirt sophomore, is the most impressive physical specimen at the position, but he did not see meaningful snaps last season.

Beamer also said Monday wide receiver Austin Fuller and defensive back Jacob Sykes, both reserves who saw sparse game action, are transferring after the semester.