A 1-2 punch to remember: Jarrett Boykin, Danny Coale rewriting Tech's receiving records as careers conclude

We spent an inordinate amount of time Thursday writing about a player who chose to do wrong. For the full story about kicker Cody Journell and two others' arrest on a felony breaking and entering charge, click here. Lerone Graham, our crime and courts reporter at the New River Valley Bureau, did the heavy lifting on the story, while I chipped in what I could. If he moved the sofa, all I did was carry the cushions.

Now, how about we turn our attention toward someone on the team doing the right thing. Or better, yet, two of them: wide receivers Danny Coale and Jarrett Boykin, who I had previously scheduled for today's blog post.

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It's coming to the end oft the line for the two most productive receivers in Virginia Tech history, an often overlooked duo that didn't even garner All-ACC honorable mention.

But they are more than appreciated for what they do by their teammates, especially with how they've helped out first-year starting quarterback Logan Thomas,opening up an offense that for years hadn't been receiver-oriented.

"You want those guys in your locker room," offensive coordinator Bryan Stinespring said. "You want them on your team. You want to have guys in that locker room, guys on that practice field that when the game’s on, they give you everything they have. And what they have is plenty good enough. I think that’s how we win games."

The 6-foot-2, 218-pound Boykin is going to finish No. 1 on Tech's major receiving lists. His 2,854 yards are tops all-time, as are his 180 career receptions. He's caught 57 passes this year, breaking Ernest Wilford's single-season record of 55 set in 2003.

"He’s always continuously worked to get better in all aspects of the game, whether it’s defeating press coverage, yards after catch," Stinespring said. "Everything he’s done his entire career is to get better."

"He's a tremendous athlete, a tremendous competitior and one of the most gifted athletes I've been around," head coach Frank Beamer said.

The 6-foot, 200-pound Coale is much more than just a receiver (he's stepped in at punt returner and punter this year). But he's made his mark as a pass-catcher, ranking second on Tech's all-time lists behind Boykin with 2,541 receiving yards and 157 receptions.

He has 52 catches for a  team-high 787 receiving yards this season and could conceivably pass Boykin for the single-season receptions mark with a big Sugar Bowl.

"He’s a guy that has just been productive. He’s in the right place at the right time," Beamer said. "He’s just a guy you feel very confident in and a guy that  you know what you’re going to get in him. He’s not an up and down guy. He’s an effort guy. He’s played very consistently. He’s been a great part of our program here and meant a lot to our program at Virginia Tech."

Stinespring said it all comes down to playing how they practice.

"I get on Jarrett and Danny," Stinespring said. "They dive for balls in practice. I say, ‘Don’t dive for a ball today. Let’s wait until Saturday.’ But that’s not who they are. They go practice the way that they play. And I think there’s something to be said for that. They don’t assume that they’re going to just go out and play well on Saturday. They go out and practice every day like it’s the first day, they do things to get better. I truly believe that."

Neither has the chest-thumping bravado many have come to expect from standout receivers. Boykin is among the quietest players on the team. Despite being a de facto team spokesman, Coale remains laid back and even-keeled with his responses.

They probably won't be at the top of wish lists for NFL teams in April's draft. Neither possesses the size and speed that make pro scouts drool, but teammates say they should take a closer look.

Thomas praised Coale's route-running and hands, saying he plays a lot like Rams receiver and former Texas Tech standout Danny Amendola, a fellow pint-sized pass-catcher. Thomas said Boykin has strong hands and makes the difficult plays, as his 18 career touchdown grabs suggest.

“Obviously, we don’t get the big, gaudy numbers that some schools get for receivers because we’ve always been known as a running back school, but these guys definitely can get it done," Thomas said. "If [NFL scouts] were to come to our practice, they’d see their work ethic and why they’d be great for their team.”

Tech's all-time receiving yards list  

1. Jarrett Boykin (2008-2011) -- 2,854

2. Danny Coale (2008-2011) -- 2,541

3. Antonio Freeman (1991-1994) -- 2,296

4. Ernest Wilford (2000-2003) -- 2,061

5. Josh Morgan (2004-2007) -- 1,817

Tech's all-time receptions list

1. Jarrett Boykin (2008-2011) -- 180

2. Danny Coale (2008-2011) -- 157

3. Antonio Freeman (1991-1994) -- 129

4. Ernest Wilford (2000-2003) -- 127

5. Josh Morgan (2004-2007) -- 122

Tech's all-time touchdown reception list

1. Antonio Freeman (1991-1994) -- 23

2. Andre Davis (1998-2001) -- 20

3t. Jarrett Boykin (2008-2011) -- 18

3t. Ricky Scales (1972-1974) -- 18

5. Josh Morgan (2004-2007) -- 16

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