Branden Ore

Last updated

Branden Ore
Brandon Ore runs through the Pirates crop.jpg
Ore with Virginia Tech in 2007
No. 28
Position Running back
Personal information
Born (1986-02-17) February 17, 1986 (age 39)
Norfolk, Virginia, U.S.
Height5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight205 lb (93 kg)
Career information
High school Indian River High School,
Chesapeake, Virginia
College
Awards and highlights
Stats at ESPN

Branden Ore (born February 17, 1986) is an American former college football running back for Virginia Tech.

Contents

Early life

Branden Ore was born in Norfolk, Virginia. He attended Indian River High School. [1] Ore committed to Virginia Tech on December 15th, 2003, receiving other offers from Maryland, Tennessee, North Carolina, and NC State. [2]

College recruiting information
NameHometownSchoolHeightWeightCommit date
Branden Ore
RB		 Chesapeake, Virginia Indian River High School 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)196 lb (89 kg)Dec 15, 2003 
Recruit ratings: Rivals:  3 stars.svg    
Overall recruit ranking:
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, On3, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

    College career

    Virginia Tech

    Ore began his college career as a redshirt freshman in 2004 at Virginia Tech behind Mike Imoh and Cedric Humes on the depth chart. Following the season, Ore underwent shoulder surgery and spent the spring semester rehabbing in Chesapeake. [3]

    In 2005, Ore finished his redshirt freshman year with 647 rushing yards across 109 carries, rushing for 6 touchdowns. He caught 5 passes for 36 yards. Ore was named ACC Rookie of the Week in back-to-back weeks after impressive games against Virginia and North Carolina, rushing for 115 and 104 yards, respectively. [4]

    Ore started every game his redshirt sophomore year, serving as the leading offensive player in the Hokies' 10-win 2006 season. Ore suffered an ankle injury during the final regular season game against Wake Forest, [5] but still took the field against Georgia in the Hokies' 24-31 loss in the Chick-fil-A Bowl. By the end of the season, Ore rushed for 1,090 yards, scoring 14 touchdowns, earning All-ACC honors. [6]

    In the Hokies' 2007 season, Ore would once again lead Virginia Tech's offense, rushing for 992 yards and scoring 10 touchdowns. Ore helped the Hokies' win 11 games, including the ACC championship. [7] Ore was benched for the first quarter of the 2008 Orange Bowl against Kansas as punishment for showing up late to Tech's final practice of the season. [8] Despite this, Ore still led both teams in rushing yards, rushing for 116 yards and scoring 1 touchdown. [9]

    In January of 2008, Ore declared for the 2008 NFL draft but later withdrew his name, intending to return to Virginia Tech his senior season. [10] However, coach Frank Beamer dismissed Ore from the team on March 19, 2008, months before Virginia Tech's 2008 season, due to a culmination of off-the-field issues. [11]

    West Liberty

    Ore transferred to Division II West Liberty, where he would become the starting tailback for the Hilltoppers. [12] Ore stated that the secluded environment helped to resolve his disciplinary issues. [13] [14] At the conclusion of the 2008 season, Ore scored 20 touchdowns, a West Liberty record. [15]

    Personal life

    Ore testified in a federal drug case for a June 2006 traffic stop where drugs were found in his possession. He was not charged. [16]

    References

    1. ↑ Tucker, Kyle (January 18, 2008). "Virginia Tech's Ore withdraws from NFL Consideration". The Virginian-Pilot. Retrieved May 13, 2023.
    2. ↑ "Branden Ore - Recruiting Profile". Rivals. Retrieved August 30, 2025.
    3. ↑ "Virginia Tech's Ore Gets a Lift From Warehouse Work". Associated Press. September 7, 2006. Archived from the original on March 1, 2011. Retrieved January 18, 2008.
    4. ↑ "Branden Ore - Football 2006". Virginia Tech Athletics. Retrieved August 30, 2025.
    5. ↑ "Hokies lose Ore to injury in 1st quarter - Roanoke.com". archive.ph. September 9, 2012. Archived from the original on December 25, 2024. Retrieved August 30, 2025.
    6. ↑ Tucker, Kyle (November 15, 2006). "Ore is latest Tech player to say he'll return in '07". Virginian-Pilot. Retrieved January 18, 2008.
    7. ↑ "Branden Ore completes transfer". Roanoke Times. August 26, 2008. Retrieved August 30, 2025.
    8. ↑ "archive.ph". archive.ph. Archived from the original on November 26, 2021. Retrieved August 30, 2025.
    9. ↑ "hokiesports.com". hokiesports.com. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved August 30, 2025.
    10. ↑ "Virginia Tech's Ore withdraws from NFL consideration". The Virginian-Pilot. January 18, 2008. Retrieved August 30, 2025.
    11. ↑ "Virginia Tech's leading rusher removed from team". ESPN.com. March 19, 2008. Retrieved August 30, 2025.
    12. ↑ Wood, Norm (September 22, 2008). "Branden Ore finds a fresh start at West Liberty State and has put his Tech travails behind him". hilltoppersports.com. Archived from the original on May 13, 2023. Retrieved May 13, 2023.
    13. ↑ Tucker, Kyle (November 9, 2008). "After exit from Tech, Branden Ore is on road to discovery". Virginian-Pilot. Archived from the original on December 8, 2010. Retrieved November 9, 2008.
    14. ↑ Tucker, Kyle (November 15, 2008). "Former Hokie Ore finds peace at small school". The Roanoke Times. Retrieved May 13, 2023.
    15. ↑ "Branden Ore Named WVIAC Player of the Week". West Liberty University Athletics. August 28, 2025. Retrieved August 30, 2025.
    16. ↑ Gangloff, Mike (January 10, 2008). "Friend of Ore found guilty". Roanoke Times. Retrieved August 30, 2025.
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