College Football: The Mount Rushmore for the 30 best programs of all time

Peyton Manning, Tennessee Volunteers. (Photo By Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
Peyton Manning, Tennessee Volunteers. (Photo By Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
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Frank Beamer, Michael Vick, Bruce Smith, Virginia Tech Hokies
Frank Beamer, Michael Vick, Bruce Smith, Virginia Tech Hokies. (Photo by Richard Schultz/NFLPhotoLibrary)

Virginia Tech Hokies: Michael Vick, Frank Beamer, Bruce Smith, Bud Foster

The Virginia Tech Hokies have the luxury of playing in Lane Stadium, which any opposing team can tell you is a very tough place to do business in. In their history, the Hokies have won over 730 games, including 11 conference titles, while producing eight All-Americans.

Michael Vick

One of the more electrifying players in modern college football history, Michael Vick captivated the fans in Blacksburg with his ability to make plays happen with his strong left arm and his feet. The No. 1 overall pick in the 2001 NFL Draft by the Atlanta Falcons, Vick was the 1999 Big East Offensive Player of the Year, while finishing third in the Heisman Trophy voting and is still one of the most memorable players in school history.

Frank Beamer

An outstanding head coach for the Hokies, Frank Beamer went from playing for the school in the mid-to-late 1960s to leading them to some of the more memorable seasons in program history. Beamer won the conference title, whether the Big East or the ACC, seven times, and was named Coach of the Year on five occasions. His 238 wins are the most in school history and is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame.

Bruce Smith

Before dominating at the NFL level, and leading the Buffalo Bills to four straight Super Bowls, Bruce Smith became a legend while playing at Virginia Tech. Smith was twice named an All-American and won the Outland Trophy in 1984, as “The Sack Man” finished up his college career with 46 sacks, including 22 in a single season.

Bud Foster

While Bud Foster never played for Virginia Tech or even was the team’s head coach, he still has a special place in the history of the football program. Foster has served in some capacity on the coaching staff since 1987, becoming one of the better defensive minds in college football, leading the Hokies on that side of the ball. His “Lunch Pail” defenses have been some of the best in college football on a yearly basis, finishing No. 1 on multiple occasions.