Former Radford High School and current Liberty Christian Academy quarterback Luke Gaither has flipped his commitment from the University of South Carolina to Coastal Carolina.
Just last month, the rising senior signal caller said he would enroll at South Carolina as Preferred Walk-on. This past week, he announced his change to Coastal, where he will on a full scholarship.
The 6-4, 185-pound Gaither has amassed 3,904 yards, 31 touchdowns and 14 interceptions over his high school career. This past season, he threw for 1,232 yards and nine touchdowns while rushing for two more.
During his sophomore season at Radford, he was named the all-county/all-city player of year after completing 208 completions on 360 attempts for 2,472 yards with a 57.8 percent completion rate and 20 touchdowns. He also rushed for another score on the ground.
Citadel coming to Blacksburg in 2027
Virginia Tech will host Citadel in football to begin the 2027 season. The game appears to be slated for Saturday, August 28 at Lane Stadium. The contest would finalize Virginia Tech’s non-ACC slate for the 2027 campaign, joining a Sept. 4 home game with Liberty and a Nov. 6 date at Notre Dame. The Hokies and Bulldogs have not faced each other since 1953.
Auburn tops in National Guard competition
The VHSL announces the 2025-26 National Guard Cup presented by the Virginia Army National Guard for year-long athletic success. Familiar faces returned to claim more trophies.
Western Albemarle in Class 3 led the way, earning its 11th overall Cup and fifth in a row, while Auburn in Class 1 claimed its eighth consecutive Cup and ninth overall.
First awarded in 1990, the Cup represents 36 seasons of excellence. Six Cups are awarded for academic activities and athletics in each of the VHSL’s six enrollment classifications.
A point system determines the winners based on overall performance in VHSL state championship competitions. In athletics, first place earns 50 points, second place earns 45 points, third place earns 40 points, fourth place earns 35 points, fifth place earns 30 points, sixth place earns 25 points, seventh place earns 20 points, and eighth place earns 15 points. Schools earning the League’s Sportsmanship, Ethics, and Integrity Award earn 50 points each.
Auburn finished with 460 points to outdistance Rappahannock, which finished with 257.5 points.
Bobcat swimmer All-American
Rising Radford High School swimmer, Jilliam Grim, has earned All-American status in diving. The national recognition comes after an outstanding season that included a third consecutive Class 2 State Diving Championship.
Two sign with RU basketball
The Radford men’s basketball program and head coach Zach Chu announced Monday afternoon that Cameron Jackson and Mathieu Grujicic have signed with the Highlanders for the upcoming 2026-27 season.
Jackson is a forward who spent last two seasons at UT Arlington appearing in 45 games with 13 starts while averaging 14.1 minutes per game.
Grujicic is a guard who spent the 2025-26 season at Ohio State where he saw limited action appearing in six games scoring six points and five rebounds.
Hokie foursome headed to Charlotte
The Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) has announced Virginia Tech football student-athletes, defensive lineman , safety and running back will join Head Coach at the ACC Football Kickoff on July 16. The ACC Football Kickoff will span three full days of interviews, July 15 – 17, at the Hilton Charlotte Uptown in Charlotte, North Carolina. The event will feature all 17 football teams with ACC Network providing coverage throughout all three days, including live interviews with head coaches and student-athletes, press conferences and more. Copeland (6-2, 290) started all 12 games for the Hokies last season, recording 48 tackles (11 solo) including 7.5 TFLs. The Virginia Beach, Virginia native led the team with 4.5 sacks and also registered an interception on his way to Third Team All-ACC honors. Flowers (5-11, 213), from Fort Worth, Texas, started all 12 games for the Hokies in 2025. He tallied 49 tackles (26 solo), two pass breakups, two hurries, and a forced fumble. Hawkins (5-10, 223) played in 11 games with nine starts a season ago and was the Hokies’ most productive running back. A native of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Hawkins tallied 118 carries for 749 yards and a touchdown, averaging 6.3 yards a carry. He recorded 23 runs of 10-plus yards and 12 of more than 15 yards, forcing 44 missed tackles and gaining 562 yards after first contact. Hawkins also registered 12 receptions out of the backfield for 86 yards and a touchdown.
