Spotlight VIRGINIA TECH FOOTBALL Aycen Stevens growing into his strengths at defensive end for Virginia Tech football DAMIEN SORDELETT The Roanoke Times Apr 10, 2026 6 hrs ago 0 × DAMIEN SORDELETT The Roanoke Times Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save BLACKSBURG — “Who are you as a football player?”kAmxE’D 2 BF6DE:@? AC6D6?E65 3J ':C8:?:2 %649 7@@E32== 4@249 y2>6D uC2?<=:? E92E pJ46? $E6G6?D A@?56C65 62C=J :? DAC:?8 AC24E:46] (92E >256 E96 5676?D:G6 6?5 DE2?5 @FE 2>@?8 9:D A66CDn p82:?DE @776?D:G6 E24<=6D :? 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E96 G6CJ 324< @7 E96 C@@> 2D 2 J@F?8 7C6D9>2? 2?5 x H2D =:<6[ ‘|2?[ x’> 8@:?8 E@ 9@=5 E92E A2:= @?6 52J]’ x 8@E :E @? uC:52J] xE H2D 2 DFCC62= 766=:?8 7@C DFC6]”k^Am Damien Sordelett (540) 981-3124damien.sordelett@roanoke.com 0 comments Locations Virginia Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Related to this story Hokies' Stevens on holding lunch pail Watch Now: Related Video Hokies' Stevens on holding lunch pail Hokies' Franklin on how first spring practices are going Hokies' Franklin on how first spring practices are going Hokies' Franklin on handling quarterback battle Hokies' Franklin on handling quarterback battle Hokies' Grunkemeyer on decision to transfer to Virginia Tech Hokies' Grunkemeyer on decision to transfer to Virginia Tech