Ore is latest Tech player to say he'll return in '07

By KYLE TUCKER
The Virginian-Pilot

BLACKSBURG - With two regular-season games and a bowl to go in 2006, it might be premature to begin looking ahead to next season.

But as Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer pointed out Tuesday: If this relatively inexperienced bunch of Hokies can finish 10-2 and land an attractive bowl bid against a top BCS-conference school, it would go down as a great year.

And it could set up Tech's next run up the national polls in 2007. The Hokies, he figures, would have a high preseason ranking - the key to any championship chase - and a schedule strong enough to vault them toward the top of the BCS standings if they run the table.

That, of course, all depends on many variables, not the least being the return of key players who may be entertaining thoughts of early entry in the NFL draft.

To that end, Tech fans had to like what they heard Tuesday from tailback Branden Ore.

"I'm definitely going to be here," said Ore, a third-year sophomore out of Chesapeake's Indian River High and the ACC's leading rusher. "I'm definitely not going anywhere. "

While he could still change his mind, his strong words should quiet worried Hokies fans, especially considering similar statements from two of Tech's other top players in the past three weeks.

Duane Brown, a mobile and athletic 6-foot-5, 290-pound right tackle - he covers punts and used to be a standout tight end - said before the Clemson game that he plans to be back.

"Definitely," said the junior, "to try to help us go undefeated, win a national championship. You never know what other guys are planning on, to stay or go, but if this team stays together, if everyone's healthy, the sky's the limit for us."

Linebacker Vince Hall, a junior who leads the ACC in tackles, shares that vision. He said two weeks ago that neither he nor fellow star linebacker Xavier Adibi had given any thought to an early exit.

"We all came in together as 'The Future.' That's what we called ourselves," said Hall, a Western Branch graduate. "We're still doing it right now. I don't look past that. I don't even think about the NFL."

If he's thinking about his future as a Hokie, it could be bright. Should Ore, Brown, Hall and Adibi all return - as well as defensive end Chris Ellis, who might've entertained draft ideas before a somewhat disappointing season - Tech will return 16 starters next season.

That's eight each on offense and defense.

Such experience might just be enough to survive a schedule that includes road games against LSU, Georgia Tech and Clemson, as well as home showdowns with Miami, Boston College and Florida State.

"It's going to be an exciting year for us," Ore said.

A year in which Ore, Brown and Hall all say they can refine their skills for the next level. Ore said he needs to improve his pass-blocking and knowledge of defenses.

Those shortcomings, despite his 1,090 yards and 14 touchdowns this year, are reasons he said he won't even take a peek at his draft status following the season.

"I'm never going to put myself in a situation to fail," Ore said. "And if I was to enter the draft right now, that's what I would be doing. I really don't think I'm ready for the league right now. "