Ranking the ACC units: Linebackers

...the whip linebacker spot, but they've got to replace Purnell Sturdivant and Brett Warren. Barquell Rivers proved he's up to the task when he filled in in the Orange Bowl...

Virginia Tech ushering in new talent at linebacker

...Purnell Sturdivant -- the team's top two leading tacklers from 2008. Johnson and redshirt sophomore Barquell Rivers are the frontrunners to take over, but right now their potential far outweighs their experience. "...

Lending a helping hand in the ACC

...Confidence grew in the linebackers this spring, and that's because of the efforts of Barquell Rivers and Jake Johnson. Bruce Taylor and Quillie Odom are still learning, but there was progress at...

Virginia Tech spring wrap-up

...the staff wanted to find a spot for him on the field. 2. Liking the linebackers. Barquell Rivers and Jake Johnson both had good springs. They've got a few players behind them...

Sneak peek at the Hokies in '09

...s been in the boundary corner, and he's in the same group." • Barquell Rivers has the inside track at inside linebacker, but Beamer said the position is "wide open...

Virginia Tech's pre-spring depth chart

...Thompson -- Antoine Hopkins OR Dwight Tucker OLB Cody Grimm -- Jeron Gouveia-Winslow OR Alonzo Tweedy ILB Barquell Rivers -- Bruce Taylor ILB Jake Johnson -- Quillie Odom FC Rashad Charmichael -- Cris Hill FS Kam Chancellor -- Lorenzo...

Five position battles to watch this spring

...yard runs. Virginia Tech linebackers -- The Hokies will have to replace Brett Warren and Purnell Sturdivant. Barquell Rivers, who started for the injured Warren in the Orange Bowl, should be a frontrunner, but Cam...

Virginia Tech's Rivers ready to carry on defensive tradition

...Whenever he goes home to North Carolina, or even walks around the Virginia Tech campus, linebacker Barquell Rivers is constantly reminded of "the play." It only took one for Rivers to make...

What to watch in the ACC this spring

Posted by ESPN.com's Heather Dinich With Miami kicking off spring practice on Feb. 24, it's never too early to start thinking about spring foo...

ACC helmet stickers: Bowl edition

...s top performers during the bowls: Virginia Tech's backups: Offensive guard Jaymes Brooks, linebacker Barquell Rivers and defensive end Nekos Brown filled in for Tech's missing starters and the Hokies...

Mistakes, Hokies defense doom Cincinnati

...to go to the pylon. Instead, he got forced inside and got stood up by linebacker Barquell Rivers. "I didn't know why we called that," Gilyard said. The first possession couldn't have...

What to watch on New Year's Day

...1. The Replacements. Junior Nekos Brown will fill in for defensive end Jason Worilds, redshirt freshman Barquell Rivers replaces linebacker Brett Warren, and Jaymes Brooks, who has played four career snaps, will fill in...

Hokies hope changes lead to better bowl showing

...sacks leader, and linebacker Brett Warren, the Hokies' second-leading tackler -- are out with injuries. Freshman Barquell Rivers will replace Worilds, while junior Nekos Browns will step in for Warren. Of even bigger concern...

Top 25 Intel: No. 5 Virginia Tech

Virginia Tech was learning its offense on the fly last year and still went 10-4. With the unit now in sync, the opposition should be concerned.

Story | Conversation | June 29, 2009

01 January 2009: Virginia Tech linebacker Barquell Rivers (52) calls defensive signals against University of Cincinnati in Tech's 20-7 victory at Dolphin...