He still doesn't like to talk about it.

But almost a year after suffering a season-ending knee injury, Virginia Tech tailback Lee Suggs' knee has become one of the hottest topics surrounding the Hokies entering the 2002 season. Coming off of almost a year of rehab, Suggs says he will be ready to go when the Hokies take the field Aug. 25 in their season opener against Arkansas State.

"I'm itching to get out there," Suggs said. "It's been a long time coming, and I'm anxious. I'm fully recovered. I could have played in the Gator Bowl, I think. It's been over six months since then, so I think I'm ready."

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In 2000, Suggs had a breakout year as Virginia Tech's featured back. He scored a nation-best 27 touchdowns and rushed for 1,207 yards to earn a share of the Big East's Offensive Player of the Year Award. His name and the Heisman Trophy were in the same sentence and NFL scouts were drooling over his potential.

But it all changed in the third quarter of the Hokies' 2001 season opener against Connecticut. After carrying the ball 12 times for 99 yards, Suggs ran around left end, heading for another big gain.

Then his season came crashing down.

"I tried to cut inside," Suggs said. "I guess I just planted wrong. It felt like my knee just exploded."

Suggs tore the anterior cruciate ligament and medial meniscus in his left knee, ending his season as well as his Heisman hopes. What was supposed to have been a dream year for the 6-foot, 204-pounder out of Roanoke, Va., quickly turned into a nightmare of surgery and rehabilitation.

"It was the worst feeling I've ever had," Suggs said. "Especially being on the sidelines, seeing the team struggle and not being able to help them."

	“	It was the worst feeling I've ever had. Especially being on the sidelines, seeing the team struggle and not being able to help them. ”
		— Virginia Tech's Lee Suggs

Suggs will get the chance to help his team starting against Arkansas State, but he's no longer the only Virginia Tech tailback turning heads. His replacement, sophomore running back Kevin Jones, had his own breakout year in 2001. Jones rushed for 997 yards and five touchdowns on 175 carries as a true freshman to earn Big East Offensive Rookie of the Year honors.

Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer said both should see considerable playing time. While Beamer contends that Suggs is his starter, both are listed in the No. 1 spot on the Hokies' depth chart.

"We'll get that worked out," Beamer said. "We're just fortunate to have two great tailbacks. We may have them both in the game at times."

While some running backs would balk at the thought of sharing the spotlight, Suggs welcomes the idea.

"It's hard to go the whole game," Suggs said. "You get pounded a lot. You get tired. When Kevin is in there, I'm getting a rest."

Jones also said there is no animosity.

"We're cool on and off the field," Jones said. "Him being back only betters our chance to win a national championship. Anything that will help us win will make me happy. There are no disputes or anything like that. We're both going to get a chance to play."

Suggs' return also helps Jones in another way.

"Kevin will learn a lot from Suggs," Beamer said. "Lee has a great knack for short yardage because he never gets knocked backwards. Jones has the tendency to run too high. Kevin can learn a lot from Lee."

After a strong showing during spring practices, Suggs says he will be back to his old form in no time.

"I felt 100 percent in the spring, when I got my first contact," Suggs said. "It was the first time I got hit. (I was) running over people, bouncing off people. It was a big relief. I got my confidence back, and a lot of the pressure was lifted."

Coming off an ACL injury, some athletes tend to be a bit timid when returning to action. But Suggs says he has overcome the injury mentally as well as physically.

"I don't have any fear on the football field," Suggs said. "I'm not scared of getting hurt. Of course there's uncertainty, but you just gotta let it go, let it happen."

Brandon M. Bickerstaff is an intern at ESPN.com. He can be reached at brandon.m.bickerstaff@espnpub.com.