Earlier this month, Antone Exum announced that he would be foregoing early entry into the NFL draft and returning to Virginia Tech for another year.
Sadly, especially for a young man known for classy gestures off the field, his return to on-the-field action in 2013 is very much up in the air.
The Hokies announced Sunday evening that Exum has suffered a torn ACL and torn lateral meniscus in his right knee. Team doctors are hopeful that surgery to repair the damage will be performed this week, although the amount of swelling in the area will determine a surgical timeline.
There was no confirmation as to how the cornerback sustained the injury, although speculation has been swirling that it occurred during a pickup basketball game.
According to the school, Exum is expected to be out for a period of six-nine months. The optimistic end of that prognosis would have Exum back in time for the start of summer camp; the back end would have him missing the first two months of the upcoming season.
If Exum were to miss any playing time, it would be a significant blow for Tech’s defense. Following a season in which he totaled five interceptions, 16 pass breakups and two forced fumbles, Exum was named second-team All-ACC.
The senior-to-be has started every game, 27 in all, the past two seasons. He started five games as a redshirt freshman in 2010 as well.