10   Frank Loria

        Despite his 5-9, 175-pound frame, Frank Loria was one of the most tenacious football players ever to play for Virginia Tech. Loria, who started every game at safety from 1965-67, rapidly established himself as one of Tech's all-time greats with his uncanny ability to diagnose plays and pass patterns. He played every defensive play of his sophomore season. During his junior year, he helped the Hokies to the Liberty Bowl and earned first-team All-America honors from The Associated Press and the Football Writers Association. As a senior in 1967, Loria became Tech's first consensus All-American, making seven first-team All-America squads. He also was named a first-team Academic All-American. Loria finished his Tech career with seven interceptions and still holds Tech records for most touchdowns on punt returns for a season (3) and career (4) and the best punt return average for a career (13.3 ypr). His 95-yard punt return for a touchdown against Miami in 1967 is still the longest in school history. After his playing career, Loria joined the coaching staff at Marshall University where he became the offensive coordinator. In 1970, at age 23, he died in an airplane tragedy that claimed the lives of the Marshall football team and staff. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame on Dec. 7, 1999.