College Football

Alabama-Virginia Tech opener not ruled out for star CB Antone Exum

The Hokies' senior cornerback, who tore his ACL and meniscus in January, is hoping for an August return.

By Patrick Vint Jul 14, 2013, 9:53am EDT

Virginia Tech cornerback Antone Exum, who suffered a devastating knee injury in January, is still targeting the Hokies' season opener against Alabama for his return, according to a Roanoke Times report:

"I haven't changed that I want to be back for that game," Exum said while attending the Hokies' one-day prospect camp Saturday. "They haven't ruled it out of the question or anything, so that's what I'm working hard for. ... I can't make any guarantees, but that's what I'm working for."

The chances of Exum returning just seven months after his knee injury have always been slim. Exum is reportedly scheduled to meet with Dr. James Andrews in early August to review his progress. No determination of his status for 2013 will be made until after that meeting. Exum has been participating in team workouts this summer, and reportedly ran a full battery of sprints with Virginia Tech's linemen last week.

Exum tore the ACL and lateral meniscus in his right knee in a pickup basketball game in late January. The senior cornerback has started 27 consecutive games for the Hokies, stretching back to the 2011 season, and was considered a possible NFL Draft early entrant.

Virginia Tech faces defending national champion Alabama in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Classic at the Georgia Dome on Aug. 31 at 5:30 p.m. ET.