With all of the attention heaped upon Virginia Tech's other talented defenders, Booker slid under the radar for most media throughout 2007, but scouts know him well. Blessed with an intriguing combination of size and athletic ability, Booker emerged as a senior, posting 10.5 tackles for loss en route to earning Second Team ACC accolades. He lacks the stout anchor as a run defender, but flashes the burst for a three technique in the 4-3 alignment.

Positives: Good height and the frame to add more additional mass without a significant loss of quickness. … Good initial quickness to penetrate gaps. … Good lateral quickness and flows down the line well in pursuit. … Improved awareness and consistency as a senior.

Negatives: Marginal strength at the point of attack despite his size. … Marginal use of hands to disengage from blocks and gets tied up too often at the line of scrimmage. … Lacks the power to push through and make the play.

Played a number of positions for Coach Scott Abell at Amherst, including tight end, fullback and defensive tackle … Named an all-region selection for the Atlantic region by PrepStar as a defensive lineman … Was a 2002 AA second-team all-state selection by The Associated Press as a defensive lineman … A first-team selection to the 2002 AA Coaches all-state team at the defensive end position … Notched 68 tackles and 13 sacks on defense while rushing for 250 yards and catching nine passes for three touchdowns on offense his senior season … Registered 10 sacks and was named to the all-district team as a junior … Rated the No. 24 defensive tackle in the nation by Tom Lemming on ESPN.com … The No. 17 player in Virginia as ranked by SuperPrep magazine … Rated the No. 18 player in Virginia by The Roanoke Times … One of the top 40 linebackers/defensive ends in the ACC area as ranked by the preseason G&W Recruiting Report.

Barry Nathaniel Booker, Jr. … Born 11/13/85 in Fort Campbell, Ky. … Son of Barry and Patsy Booker … Enrolled in apparel, housing and resource management.