Virgina Tech and Blacksburg High School alum Rick Devens was one of 24 castaways selected to return as part of the cast of “Survivor 50,” the landmark 50th season of the popular CBS series.
Devens, who earned a degree in communication from what is now the Virginia Tech School of Communication in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences, first competed on “Survivor 38: Edge of Extinction,” where he finished in fourth place. He was known for his high energy, underdog gameplay, and challenge and advantage domination. He will now play alongside some of the show’s most popular players.
Devens talked about his time at Virginia Tech and on “Survivor” prior to the season’s premiere episode, which will air Wednesday, Feb. 25, on CBS.
How did you feel when you officially got a spot on season 50?
I didn’t think it was going to happen once season 40, which they had contacted me about, became all winners, and then the “new era” wasn’t bringing people back. So season 50 was the shot. I was super excited when they reached out to me. I did all their stuff, jumped through their hoops, and then they told me that I’m an alternate and I’m just incredibly depressed that I’m going to miss out on this thing.
Then, the day after Mother’s Day 2025, they’re like, “Hey, we want to talk to you real quick.” I get on and it’s [Jeff] Probst [host of “Survivor”], he’s like, “Devens, you know we love you. You know how much we respect you.” He’s setting me up like I’m not getting on, but then he’s like, “and that’s why we’re putting you on the show.”
I was over the moon. I was so psyched.
How do you feel getting a second chance, and what are you going to do differently or the same with your game in season 50?
I had a lot of fun the first time I played, and that’s exactly why I want to do it the second time. I played this crazy over-the-top game that put a huge target on me, but it was my game and it was fun.
Now I’m coming back, and I don’t want a huge target right away. I know that the over-the-top game is kind of what put people on their heels and gave me an advantage, so I’m really trying to balance when to let that beast out.
I think you just kind of have to get out there and see what these other castaways are all about and decide then when your feet are in the sand.
What brings you the most joy about being on “Survivor?” Any favorite moments?
I just love that when you’re playing “Survivor,” you don’t have anything else to worry about. You miss your family, you miss your job, but those are not concerns in the moment. It’s the one time in life you don’t have a phone. There’s no cable TV. All you care about is the game right in front of you, and that’s awesome and really freeing.
The other thing is personalities. There are some wild people out there. I love to have fun, so whether I find you incredibly entertaining in talking with you or just observing you, that’s what I like to do. That’s something I really want to take into season 50 is being someone fun to play with. If you’re going to cause mischief, I want you to be like, “Devens would probably get in on this.” And, yeah, I would. Let’s do it.
Who out of the other fan favorites were you excited to see on the island with you?
I’ve been watching “Survivor” since the beginning, which makes sense, because there were so many Virginia Tech people on those early seasons, which is awesome. Virginia Tech has a huge legacy in “Survivor.”
But, to see Jenna [Lewis] back and Coach [Wade] and Stephanie [LaGrossa Kendrick] and Cirie [Fields]. Come on, these are legends of the game. Not sure if I could work with any of them, but I was very excited to see them.
Any “tease” or other comments you’d like to give about season 50?
I don’t think anyone who tunes in for season 50 is going to be disappointed. It’s a big, wild, and new game and every single one of these castaways brings it in in ways you thought they would and in ways that surprise you.
What do you love most about Virginia Tech and Blacksburg?
I am not only a Virginia Tech graduate, but I’m a Blacksburg High School graduate. I’m a townie, so I love Blacksburg and I love Southwest Virginia and the mountains. I even miss the weather and the snow. We had the Hobbes Intramural Sports Franchise, and we played everything. I loved playing basketball in War Memorial Gym. I was not very good, but I still played. I made movies with my friends because I was in the communication department.
If you put everything into your experience at Virginia Tech, it’s going to pay off in so many different ways for the rest of your life. I couldn’t be more proud to be an alumni and a Hokie. I just took full advantage of the college experience, and I loved every bit of it. From the second I graduated, I’ve missed it.
Jackson Sirbaugh, Virginia Tech
