Virginia Tech's Logan Thomas finished a close runner-up to Clemson wide receiver Sammy Watkins in the media's preseason ACC Player of the Year vote Monday.
Thomas is entering his second season as Tech's starting quarterback, a position he originally didn't want to play.
The 6'6", 260 pound Lynchburg native is on the watch list for the Walter Camp and Maxwell Awards for the nation's top player along with the Davey O'Brien award for the best quarterback in college football.
In his first year as a starter, Thomas set a school record with almost 3,500 yards of total offense, starting all 14 Hokie games under center.
He threw for over 3,000 yards and 19 scores, completing almost 60% of his passes.
Thomas also ran for over 450 yards and a school-record eleven touchdowns.
The second-team All-ACC selection finished fourth in the ACC Offensive Player of the Year balloting in 2011.
But when Thomas came to Tech four years ago, he was the top ranked tight end recruit in the country.
"I didn't want to play quarterback at the time," said Thomas. "I grew up, as a kid, (my) favorite player was Randy Moss, so I wanted to be a receiver. I've always pictured myself catching the ball, but I guess when school came along, and they wanted me to play quarterback, things changed then, changed for the better, and I'm very blessed and thankful that it happened."
Thomas and the Hokies open the season at home under the lights Labor Day in Lane Stadium against Georgia Tech at 8:00 on September 3. ESPN will broadcast the game.
