Offensive lineman Anthony Davis spent some of the best years of his life in Blacksburg, Va. That's where he lived while enrolled at Virginia Tech, where he played for the Hokies from 1999 to 2002.

So Monday's events, now being called the deadliest mass shooting in modern American history, understandably hit close to home for Davis.

Fortunately, he said, none of the handful of friends he has at Tech were directly affected by the tragedy in which 33 were killed, but it was nonetheless shocking to see a place so familiar under siege.

"Watching it gave me chills," Davis said. "I'm at home watching TV and they're showing a map of the campus. I could see all the places where I used to be when I was in school. I had classes in the buildings right next door to that hall. . . Three years ago I was right there."

Davis, who is from Victoria, Va., spent much of Monday desperately dialing friends and loved ones who attend the school before finally getting word that everyone was safe. That doesn't mean the events didn't touch them in some way.

"One of my friends was walking by the building when the (second) shooting was happening and heard the gunshots," said Davis, 27. "At first, he thought it was something like a nail gun because of the construction (nearby). It wasn't until he got home and saw CNN that he realized what had happened."

Davis said he often returns to campus when visiting his son in nearby Roanoke, usually to visit his former coaches. He admits his next visit might feel a bit eerie.