December 18, 2006

BLACKSBURG - Four Virginia Tech football players will miss the Hokies' Dec. 30 Chick-fil-A Bowl against the University of Georgia, as released Monday morning by head football coach Frank Beamer. Jahre Cheeseman, Jared Develli, Antonio North and Ike Whitaker will not travel to Atlanta for the game. Cheeseman, Develli and North will miss the game because of injuries, while Whitaker will miss it due to personal reasons.

North has a herniated disc in his back. According to head athletic trainer Mike Goforth, the medical staff has tried several different medications, including epidurals, but to no avail. North, from Stafford, Va., will no longer play football. He has accepted a medical hardship waiver and it has been applied for through the NCAA, meaning he will still be on scholarship, but it will not count against the football program's scholarship numbers.

Cheeseman, from Voorhees, N.J., is still recovering from foot surgery he underwent earlier this year. Cheeseman suffered the injury in Tech's jayvee game against Fork Union on Oct. 2. His surgery was for a Lis Franc sprain in his left foot [the same injury former Hokie and current Detroit Lion Kevin Jones suffered earlier this month] and he should be back for spring practice.

Develli is recovering from hernia surgery he underwent on Wed. Dec. 13. The Sterling, Va., native should be back for spring practice. In his place, senior Brandon Pace or junior Jud Dunlevy will handle the kickoff duties.

Whitaker will miss the game for personal reasons and sophomore Cory Holt will move up to the No. 2 spot at quarterback for the game.