Virginia Tech tight end Sean Sullivan had high expectations coming into this season, but a series of injuries to both his ankles wound up sidelining the former Olympic Heights High School standout for six games.

The season has been disappointing for Sullivan. At the beginning of the year, it seemed as if Sullivan would finally be able to make an impact for the Hokies.

But he saw limited action in just five games, lining up in only three or four formations per game.

Sullivan, a 6-foot-4, 230-pound redshirt junior, is known as a physical run blocker and is developing into a solid receiver. He hopes to fight for the starting job next year since tight ends Bryan Jennings and Shaine Miles will be out of eligibility. Sullivan was redshirted in 1993 and was a member of the scout team in 1994. He made the dress squad only twice. Frustrated by limited playing time , Sullivan transferred to Hudson Valley Community College in New York during the fall of 1995 only to return to Tech just five months later.

“I left because I wanted to start at the same level, but at another school,” Sullivan said. “I knew I wouldn’t get a chance to start until next year, so I wanted to go somewhere else and start for a couple of years. “But things didn’t work out, so I asked the coaches if they’d like me back, and they sounded excited. I figured I’d fit into the picture somewhere, I would just have to be patient.”

Sullivan was a top defensive end at Olympic Heights his junior and senior seasons. A Sun-Sentinel All-County performer, Sullivan combined for 156 tackles and nine sacks those two years for the Lions.

Pulling for the Big East

Eighty Virginia Tech players and coaches attended Friday’s Carquest Bowl at Pro Player Stadium in which Miami defeated Virginia 31-21.

It was unfriendly territory for the Hokies since Tech beat both the Hurricanes and Cavaliers during the regular season.

While the players were split on who they were rooting for, Hokies coach Frank Beamer was up front on his team – Miami.

“It was pretty funny because nobody in the stadium liked us,” Beamer said.

“But I have to go for the Big East team. We’ve won two so far with Syracuse [winning the Liberty Bowl).”