Bowden on kirby s11/15/2022 I’m going to play and let that do its talking.The hospital added she is "spreading dangerous misinformation which is not based in science." “I’m more of, I’d say, a reserved person,” he said. Seeking the NFL, Kirby is ready for the challenge. Williams is a returning starter and Cochran started 32 games at Vanderbilt before transferring. The trio of Williams, Cochran and Kirby gives Key a solid group to work with at tackle as the Jackets endeavor to upgrade the offensive line, which often was breached in pass protection, a contributing factor to Tech completing 53.7% of its passes last season, third lowest among power-conference schools. He worked hard through the whole program. “When I had him, I felt like he needed to get stronger in order to get to the next level,” Whitaker said. He trained with a CrossFit instructor, Doug Whitaker, in Virginia. “That’s the only thing I had to worry about, was lifting,” he said. Kirby heard from a number of power-conference schools, ultimately picking Tech over Maryland and Baylor.ĭating to last year, Kirby said that he has been focused on building strength. He just said he knows what I can do and he thinks that’ll be fine and a good fit there. “‘If you’re going to leave, make sure where you’re going to, make sure you bring that leader mentality, that physical mentality.’ Everything I was doing there (at Norfolk State), I have to do the same plus some. “He just said, ‘Come in and do it 100%,’” Kirby said. Parker’s involvement was critical, given Kirby’s relationship and trust in him. That led to communication with offensive-line coach Brent Key and Collins. He said he heard quickly from Tech defensive analyst Anthony Parker, who was hired by coach Geoff Collins in 2019 after three seasons coaching the offensive line (including Kirby) at Norfolk State. He announced his decision to go into the transfer portal Feb. 8, a decision that pushed Kirby to go ahead and pursue his plan. However, Norfolk State canceled its spring season Feb. Originally, Kirby’s plan was to play for Norfolk State this spring, as the team had created a spring schedule in response to COVID-19, and then leave as a grad transfer with the extra season of eligibility granted by the NCAA. White had a half tackle for loss and two tackles total in the game.) (Among his Old Dominion opponents was defensive end Keion White, who also transferred to Tech this offseason. Kirby’s performance, particularly against FBS teams Old Dominion and Coastal Carolina in 2019, planted a seed in his mind to transfer and compete against stronger competition to showcase his ability to the NFL. He earned All-MEAC third-team honors as a sophomore and made the first team as a junior. He just got better every day.”Īt Norfolk State, Kirby was a starter at left tackle from his freshman season on. “He was more of a guy that studied his films, studied his techniques and how to get better. “He’s not a loud-spoken kid,” Arritt said. He had particular praise for his ability to understand and read defenses at tackle. His coach at Fork Union, Frank Arritt, described Kirby as high-character and a class act. But one of the Virginia Tech coaches who had recruited him, Cornell Brown, landed at Norfolk State and brought him there, Kirby said. He enrolled at Fork Union (Va.) Military Academy for a post-graduate year, but then the retirement of Hokies coach Frank Beamer turned over the coaching staff. “There’s competition everywhere, but I wouldn’t make this decision if I didn’t think I was going to start,” he said.Ĭoming out of high school in Newport News, Va., Kirby was recruited by Virginia Tech, he said, but was an academic non-qualifier. Kirby plans to have a spot in the lineup. Tackle Devin Cochran, who started 32 games in three seasons at Vanderbilt, has arrived through the transfer portal. While Zach Quinney, a three-year starter at left tackle, elected to forego his remaining eligibility to begin his professional work career, starting right tackle Jordan Williams returns. He describes his style as “aggressive but smart” and said he takes pride in finishing plays through the whistle and “really just making people hate you.”Īfter he graduates from Norfolk State in May, he’ll join an offensive tackle group that figures to be competitive. Kirby, who is 6-foot-5 and 300 pounds, shows quick feet and a strong punch in pass protection and power in his run blocking.
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