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Mike Mcd

Mike McDaniel

As a first generation Hokie, I can't say that Virginia Tech has always been in my blood, but I can say unequivocally that I bleed maroon and orange now. I graduated from the Pamplin College of Business in 2015 with a double major in accounting and finance, and have parlayed that into a five-year career in government compliance consulting in the Washington D.C. metro area where I grew up. At Tech, I enjoyed going to as many sporting events as I could, playing four years for the Club Golf team, and realizing my passion for writing and creating content.


I have previously written for Gobbler Country on the SB Nation network, Fighting Gobbler for Fansided, InsideTheACC.com, The Tech Lunch Pail, and most recently for Sports Illustrated's All Hokies, where I was the lead publisher.


In addition to writing, I am also co-host of Basketball Conference: The ACC Football Podcast and the Hokie Hangover Podcast covering Virginia Tech athletics.


I'm passionate about Virginia Tech, but also hope to bring an objective and journalistic background to enhance the already fantastic athletic coverage here at Sons of Saturday.

graduation '15, Accounting + Finance
iconmonstr-location-pin-thin Washington D.C.
Fuente Gobbler Country
Football

Sometimes You Dig Your Own Grave

Following the latest meltdown at Lane Stadium on Saturday, is the Justin Fuente era at Virginia Tech nearing its conclusion?

By Mike McDaniel | October 18, 2021
Fuente The Daily Press
Football

The Fan Base Deserves More

Virginia Tech's 32-29 loss to Notre Dame on Saturday at Lane Stadium was another reminder of the fragile state of the Hokies football program in Year Six under Justin Fuente.

By Mike McDaniel | October 12, 2021
Justin Fuente key play
Football

Consistently Inconsistent

Virginia Tech's performance against West Virginia was emblematic of other Justin Fuente-led teams in big games. The Hokies were consistently inconsistent.

By Mike McDaniel | September 20, 2021
James mitchell
Football

With James Mitchell Out, How will Virginia Tech Replace his Production?

With James Mitchell out, how will Virginia Tech make up for his loss?

By Mike McDaniel | September 13, 2021
BB tech lunch pail
Football

Film Breakdown: Evaluating Braxton Burmeister's Passing Performance Against North Carolina

Virginia Tech quarterback Braxton Burmeister was a big reason why Virginia Tech won the opener against North Carolina. Let's breakdown every throw that he made.

By Mike McDaniel | September 09, 2021
Keshawn king hokiesports
Football

After a Rough 2021 Opener, What's Next for Hokies Running Back Keshawn King?

Can Keshawn King become a consistent factor for the Hokies in 2021?

By Mike McDaniel | September 06, 2021
Tar heel blog
Football

Three Reasons Why North Carolina Could Beat Virginia Tech

Virginia Tech is in for a dog fight against the #10 North Carolina Tar Heels on Friday night. Here are three reasons why North Carolina could beat Virginia Tech.

By Mike McDaniel | September 02, 2021
Kaden Moore
Football

Starting a freshman at right guard in the opener? No problem for Virginia Tech's coaching staff

Virginia Tech will start freshman Kaden Moore at right guard on Friday against #10 North Carolina. Justin Fuente and Vance Vice are confident it's the right decision.

By Mike McDaniel | August 31, 2021
Beau Davidson
Football

Virginia Tech Director of Recruiting Beau Davidson Expected to Leave for Texas Tech

Virginia Tech Director of Recruiting is expected to resign from the program and take a job at Texas Tech, a source told Sons of Saturday.

By Mike McDaniel | August 24, 2021
Belmar Hokiesports
Football

Virginia Tech Football Kicks Off Week Two of Fall Camp

With the second week of fall practice kicking off, Virginia Tech football held media availability on Thursday to give a camp update.

By Mike McDaniel | August 12, 2021
Dawain lofton
Football

The Texas recruiting movement disappointed, but freshman receiver Da'Wain Lofton aims to be the exception

After the #TX2VT recruiting movement fell flat on its face, there didn't appear to be much hope. But going into fall camp, freshman receiver Da'Wain Lofton aims to be the…

By Mike McDaniel | August 05, 2021
Raheem Blackshear
Football

With Khalil Herbert gone, Hokies have clear running back plan entering camp

With Khalil Herbert out of the fold, the Hokies have a plan to attack the running back position heading into fall camp

By Mike McDaniel | August 04, 2021
Tyrell Smith
Football

Virginia Tech Offensive Lineman Tyrell Smith Will Play This Fall for Virginia Tech

Virginia Tech offensive lineman Tyrell Smith will utilize his extra year of eligibility, and will return to the Hokies this fall.

By Mike McDaniel | May 05, 2021
Reach for Excellence
Virginia Tech

Virginia Tech Athletics Launches $400 Million "Reach for Excellence" Fundraising Campaign

The $400 million fundraising campaign is the largest initiative in the history of the Virginia Tech athletic department.

By Mike McDaniel | April 20, 2021
Fuente 1
Football

Justin Fuente to...Kansas? What?

An internet rumor circulated on Wednesday linking Justin Fuente to Kansas' open head coaching job.

By Mike McDaniel | March 25, 2021
Ourdailybears
Sports

Will Baylor Transfer Charlie Brewer be the Next Starting Quarterback at Virginia Tech?

Charlie Brewer, a graduate transfer from Baylor, could become the second member of the Brewer family to wear maroon and orange.

By Mike McDaniel | December 18, 2020
Whit babcock
Sports

Blind Faith

Whit Babcock tied his legacy to embattled head football coach Justin Fuente on Tuesday, as Virginia Tech will move forward with Fuente at the helm.

By Mike McDaniel | December 15, 2020
Hooker against uva
Sports

Sons of Saturday Game Picks: Welcome to Hate Week

Can Virginia Tech reclaim the Commonwealth Cup on Saturday night in Blacksburg?

By Mike McDaniel | December 12, 2020
Dabo
Sports

Sons of Saturday Game Picks: It's Clemson Week

It's game picks time! Let's dive into our predictions ahead of the tilt with Clemson.

By Mike McDaniel | December 05, 2020
Tech Sideline Fuente
Sports

It's Over

After a debilitating 47-14 loss to Pittsburgh on Saturday, the Justin Fuente era is finished, regardless of if he remains the coach or not.

By Mike McDaniel | November 22, 2020
Hooker cardiac hill
Sports

Sons of Saturday Game Picks: Hokies Travel to Pittsburgh to Take on the Panthers

Virginia Tech needs a win desperately on Saturday. Will they get it against Pittsburgh?

By Mike McDaniel | November 21, 2020
Hooker 247 sports
Sports

Sons of Saturday Game Picks: Hokies Look to Bounce Back Against #9 Miami

With #9 Miami coming to town, the Hokies look to bounce back and pick-up a much needed home win.

By Mike McDaniel | November 14, 2020
King
Sports

Three Reasons Why Miami Could Beat Virginia Tech

Can Virginia Tech beat #9 Miami on Saturday in Blacksburg? Here's three reasons why it might not happen.

By Mike McDaniel | November 13, 2020
Malik Willis Liberty
Sports

Sons of Saturday Game Picks: Hokies Look to Cover a Two Touchdown Spread Against #25 Liberty

Virginia Tech looks to cover a two-touchdown spread as they take on #25 Liberty

By Mike McDaniel | November 06, 2020
Khalil Herbert 247 sports
Sports

Sons of Saturday Game Picks: The Hokies Head on The Road in Must-Win Versus Louisville

Virginia Tech heads on the road to Louisville to battle the Cardinals in a must-win game for the program.

By Mike McDaniel | October 31, 2020
Hooker 247
Sports

Three Reasons Why Louisville Could Beat Virginia Tech

Can Virginia Tech drop its third game out of the last four? Here's three ways it could happen.

By Mike McDaniel | October 29, 2020
North state journal
Sports

Virginia Tech Has a Wide Receiver Problem

It became even more apparent on Saturday, Virginia Tech's passing offense is absent, and it may not get better anytime soon.

By Mike McDaniel | October 26, 2020
HH
Sports

Sons of Saturday Game Picks: Hokies Look to Move to 4-1 Against Feisty Wake Forest

Virginia Tech heads to Winston-Salem, looking to move to 4-1 with a win over Wake Forest

By Mike McDaniel | October 24, 2020
Dorian strong
Sports

Freshman Dorian Strong Proving to be Another Diamond in the Rough for Virginia Tech

As Virginia Tech has struggled with COVID-19 issues, freshman Dorian Strong has emerged as a reliable defender for the Hokies.

By Mike McDaniel | October 22, 2020
Sam hartman
Sports

Three Reasons Why Wake Forest Could Beat Virginia Tech

Wake Forest has an offense to contend with this Saturday. Do they have enough to upset the Hokies?

By Mike McDaniel | October 21, 2020
Herbert ncstate
Sports

Sons of Saturday Game Picks: Hokies Look to Rebound Against Boston College

After a disappointing showing last Saturday, can the Hokies rebound at home against Boston College?

By Mike McDaniel | October 17, 2020
Phil jurkovec
Sports

Three Reasons Why Boston College Could Beat Virginia Tech

Phil Jurkovec and the Boston College Eagles come to Lane Stadium on Saturday to square-off with the Virginia Tech Hokies. Here's three reasons why the Eagles could pull off the upset in…

By Mike McDaniel | October 15, 2020
Vt football
Sports

Sons of Saturday Game Picks: Hokies Look to Beat UNC and Move to 3-0

It's the biggest game of the year for Virginia Tech thus far, as the #19 Hokies travel to Chapel Hill to take on #8 North Carolina.

By Mike McDaniel | October 10, 2020
Samhowell
Sports

Three Reasons Why North Carolina Could Beat Virginia Tech

In a game featuring two up-and-coming programs in the ACC, here's how North Carolina can knock off the Hokies on Saturday in Chapel Hill.

By Mike McDaniel | October 07, 2020
Khalil Herbert vt athletics
Sports

Postgame News and Notes from Virginia Tech's 38-31 Victory Over Duke

The Virginia Tech Hokies survived a 38-31 barn-burner against the Duke Blue Devils on Saturday afternoon in Durham. Here's everything you need to know following the victory for the…

By Mike McDaniel | October 04, 2020
Vt duke bleacher report
Sports

Sons of Saturday Game Picks: Hokies Look to Move to 2-0 as They Travel to Duke

After a strong start to the season last week, Virginia Tech looks to build on the momentum against Duke.

By Mike McDaniel | October 03, 2020
Chase brice
Sports

Three Reasons Why Duke Could Beat Virginia Tech

Virginia Tech is a heavy favorite against Duke this Saturday, but that doesn't mean that the Blue Devils can't make this game competitive

By Mike McDaniel | October 01, 2020
Fuente and Burmeister
Sports

Hokies Victory Over NC State Renews Trust in Culture Built in Blacksburg

Virginia Tech's season-opening win over NC State got the Hokies off to a 1-0 start. But the outcome was about much more than that. It was about culture.

By Mike McDaniel | September 29, 2020
Justin Fuente
Sports

Justin Fuente and the Hokies Ready to Turn the Page to Duke

Justin Fuente and the Hokies are ready to turn the page to Duke after an emphatic 45-24 victory over NC State on Saturday.

By Mike McDaniel | September 28, 2020
Tayvion Robinson
Sports

Postgame News and Notes from Virginia Tech's 45-24 Victory Over NC State

Virginia Tech beats NC State 45-24. Here's everything you need to know about Tech's 1-0 start to the 2020 season.

By Mike McDaniel | September 27, 2020
Hooker
Sports

Sons of Saturday Game Picks: Virginia Tech Hosts NC State in Season Opener in Blacksburg

It's time to preview our inaugural Virginia Tech football game picks as the Hokies open the season against NC State on Saturday in Blacksburg.

By Mike McDaniel | September 25, 2020
Ford
Sports

Thursday Night Football is an Isaiah Ford Homecoming in Jacksonville

Former Virginia Tech wide receiver Isaiah Ford will take the field on Thursday night against the Jaguars in a homecoming affair for the Jacksonville native

By Mike McDaniel | September 24, 2020
Ncstate1
Sports

Three Reasons Why NC State Could Beat Virginia Tech

Virginia Tech opens the season against the NC State Wolfpack on Saturday night in Blacksburg. Here's three reasons why the game may not go well for the Hokies.

By Mike McDaniel | September 22, 2020
Middle tennessee
Virginia Tech

Army 42, Middle Tennessee 0: It would have been nice to play the Blue Raiders

The Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders were originally scheduled to play Virginia Tech on September 19th. After seeing how bad they were in the opener against Army, it's a shame that game will no longer take…

By Mike McDaniel | September 08, 2020