ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1995, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, December 31, 1995 TAG: 9601020066
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C10 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: NEW ORLEANS
SOURCE: RANDY KING STAFF WRITER
THE TECH SENIOR quietly has made at least 100 tackles each of the past three years.
When people talk about Virginia Tech's nationally ranked defense, linemen Cornell Brown and J.C. Price are usually the first names mentioned.
While Brown and Price inarguably have been the Hokies' studs, there's no question as to who's the glue of Tech's defense.
Try George DelRicco, senior middle linebacker.
``He's the guy who holds us together, no doubt about it,'' said Bud Foster, Tech's co-defensive coordinator.
``J.C. and Cornell have received a lot of national attention, and deservedly so, but if George DelRicco wasn't in there, we'd be a different defense, for sure.''
DelRicco is Tech's bailing wire. He's the guy who plugs the leaks, the guy who snuffs out the fires.
Blue collar. Hard worker. Overachiever.
That's old reliable George. He's always there when you need him.
``You can always count on George,'' Foster said. ``He's there every week.''
DelRicco may not possess great numbers physically - he's 6 feet 1, 230 pounds - but his numbers that count don't lie.
DelRicco's 137 tackles this season were the most by a Hokie since Scott Hill racked up 177 in 1987. DelRicco, whose 130 tackles paced Tech last season, is the first Hokie to post 100 or more stops in three straight seasons since Mike Johnson (1981-83).
``Having my name mentioned with Mike Johnson is something to be said for myself,'' DelRicco acknowledged.
``But, hey, middle linebackers are supposed to make tackles. It's their job.''
That's DelRicco. Punch in early. Punch out late. Work your tail off in between doing what you're supposed to do.
``He's sort of our heart and soul,'' Foster said. ``Everything he stands for sort of personifies our defense ... great work ethic, great desire, a lot of toughness.
``What he may lack in physical stature, he makes up in desire and strength. People may not know it, but he's strong as an ox.''
Didn't used to be that way, though. DelRicco was a 6-foot, 188-pound wrestler at DeMatha High School when he first talked to Tech assistant coach Billy Hite, a former DeMatha product.
``Coach Hite wasn't afraid to recruit me,'' DelRicco said. ``He knew I had lost 20 pounds to wrestle my senior year. He knew I was bigger than 188.
``But when I got to Tech, I think a lot of people underestimated me. People were saying, `Why would they recruit such a small linebacker? And they want this guy to play inside?'''
Through long, tireless hours in the weight room, DelRicco built up his body. He played on special teams and saw action in every game at linebacker in 1992, his redshirt freshman season. As a sophomore, DelRicco won a linebacker spot, finishing second on the team in tackles (103) and leading the club in tackles for loss (14).
The rest is history. Sprained ankles, separated shoulders, a broken left thumb, a broken wrist, who cares. George DelRicco played on.
``You have to,'' DelRicco said. ``I can't remember playing a game the past four years without pain.
``But I'm pretty used to it. I was a little daredevil growing up. I would wreck bikes, fly down the steps, that kind of stuff. I guess that's why I play middle linebacker. I don't have much fear.''
No doubt. At middle linebacker, DelRicco, play in and play out, has to take on blockers who outweigh him by as much as 75 pounds.
Of the weekly freight trains headed his way, DelRicco said: ``I like to stunt 'em and then give 'em a a nice slap across the head. You can't let 'em just run over you.''
At middle linebacker, DelRicco has to be a master of all trades. He has to stop the run, cover receivers, blitz the quarterback, fight off blockers. Not to mention calling the Hokies' defensive formations Foster relays from the sideline.
``I'm asked to do everything on the field you could possibly do,'' DelRicco said.
More times than not, the Maryland native has done it well.
``I'm proud of my accomplishments,'' DelRicco said. ``I knew what I was capable of doing. I think I stepped it up this year and that makes me feel good.''
Tonight in the Louisiana Superdome, where Tech faces Texas in the 62nd Sugar Bowl, DelRicco likely will put on a football helmet for the last time.
The Hokies don't have to worry about this guy showing up.
``I'm approaching this as my first game,'' said DelRicco, likely too small to ever play another down past tonight.
``Believe me, I'm going to leave everything out on that field [tonight]. The thing I keep saying to myself is that when I'm done, I'm done, and when I play my last game, I've done my best.''
LENGTH: Medium: 96 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: DON PETERSEN/Staff Tech linebacker George DelRicco isby CNBregarded as the glue of the Hokies' touted defensive unit. The
senior has 137 tackles this season. color