The Virginia Tech Hokies knew they had something special in Keli Lawson from the moment he committed in June 2020. Lawson committed to the previous coaching staff, and they had the 6-foot-5, 220-pounder from Sherando High School in Stephens City on the offensive side of the ball at wide receiver.
That was in 2021, Justin Fuente’s final season as head coach. When Brent Pry took over as head coach for 2022, one of his first personnel moves was getting Lawson back on defense. Lawson would play in eight games at linebacker for the Hokies in 2022, recording 23 tackles, including three for loss, a sack, and an interception, which he returned for a touchdown.