Brad Shelton was the News Messenger and News Journal Defensive Player of the Year after leading Blacksburg to the 3A state title this past season. Saturday, he announced he will continue his football career at Virginia Tech.

Later this afternoon, we expect to hear other similar announcements as Montgomery County and Radford players make their decision to play at the next level.

Shelton, who will be a preferred-walk on, had offers from several smaller schools but wanted to be a Hokie. In a tweet, he said was thankful for all of the colleges and coaches that showed interest in recruiting him.

“I’ve grown up in Blacksburg my whole life and have had the dream of playing at Virginia Tech. Time to make that dream a reality,” Shelton said.

The 6-3 365 pound defensive lineman snuffed out many opponent running backs this past season. He helped the Bruins to a playoff run that ended in a state championship.

A former Auburn Eagle is continuing his playing career at Concord University. Jeremy Nelson, who left Auburn after three productive seasons to attend Parry McCluer, will suit up for the West Virginia school.

Nelson finished with 7,411 yards rushing, just 120 shy of the state record. He was also recruited by VMI and William& Mary.

Also Pulaski running back Hunter Thomas ditched an offer from Concord to accept one from East Tennessee State. The 5-10 190 pound tailback will join former Christians burg defensive back Charlie Jackson who is a rising junior at ETSU.

Thomas also garnered an offer from Charleston.

Christiansburg tailback/linebacker Alec Henderson is also considering the University of Charleston. He also received an offer from Concord. Ironically Henderson’s mother is a graduate of Concord, which could weigh heavy on his decision.

A non-football player from Blacksburg, soccer player Jordan Burch, will sign a letter of intent to continue his soccer career at Milligan College in Elizabethton, Tennessee.

Milligan is a member of the Appalachian Athletics Conference (AAC). Burch will receive partial academic and athletic scholarships while enrolled at Milligan and plans to pursue a career in Business and Marketing.

A four-year member of the Bruin soccer program, Burch had six goals and one assist and was a key support player as a sophomore. In his junior year, the starting forward and All-Conference team member scored eight goals and had four assists.

In both the 2015 and 2016 seasons, the Bruins were Conference 32 and 3A West Region champions and state runner-ups.