This class certainly seems to be a deep one, with over 40 players having
received at least one Division 1A scholarship offer. This class boasts a number
of very solid prospects, and in some respects this has been one of the toughest
classes to rank. One thing is for sure -- the state of Virginia continues to
produce quality talent.
Movin' on up...
There has been some movement since the release of the Pre-Summer Top 30. In
most cases, there is slight movement, but there are some prospects that have
made a significant jump. One is Jamar Jackson, a defensive end/outside
linebacker recruit out of Varina. After watching film and then seeing Jamar up
close, it's clear that he has added 20-25 pounds of good weight and has kept
his tremendous agility and speed. Jamar is a physical specimen who boasts
excellent all-around athleticism.
Virginia Tech recruits Quillie Odom (#24) and Patrick Terry (#27), as well as
Henrico High School star Corey Mosley (#26), are new additions to the Top 30.
All three are terrific athletes. Terry is a speedy wide receiver, Odom is a
fast, athletic and tough linebacker and Mosley is a terrific all-around athlete
who could play several positions on the next level.
Questions for the season...
Heading into the 2006 season, there are some questions that could affect the
Postseason ranks. Here are a few…
Which offensive line recruit will make a move? In my opinion, the top
three offensive line recruits in the state are Will Alvarez, Andrew Nuss and
Blake DeChristopher. When Postseason ranking time comes, I could see any of the
three being in that top spot. I believe Alvarez has the most potential of the
three, and if he can be consistent on the field and with his work ethic, he'll
stay there. If not, we'll see. DeChristopher has a lot of momentum heading
into this season (he has gained 30 pounds last season and has grown an inch). In
terms of other offensive line recruits that could make a move, Hylton's Leo
Grassilli is certainly one to watch -- Grassilli has added around 30 pounds (up
to about 270) since last season and is looking to show that he still has good
movement.
Can J'Courtney Williams and Terence Fells-Danzer stay injury free?
These two players combine good size with outstanding athleticism and speed for
their size. Last season, however, Fells-Danzer played through an ankle injury
for most of the year and Williams was out five games due to a knee injury.
Fells-Danzer has suffered a broken hand, but he has been cleared to play and the
cast comes off next week. It will be interesting to see what these players can
do if/when they stay healthy for an entire season. Another linebacker to
watch this season is Quillie Odom, who played with a broken thumb for much of
last season. Odom is healthy now and has added 10 pounds since last season.
Can Jay Smith increase his production with a new team? Smith, rated #3
overall, only made 17 receptions last season as a junior. He blends an
impressive combination of size, athleticism, toughness (is a very good blocker)
and above average speed (which he showed this off-season), but he is looking to
increase that production by a good amount. The word is that Lake Taylor head
coach Hank Sawyer will be looking to get him the ball, so we'll see what
happens as a result.
Which players will break out? QB Peter Lalich is coming off a very
good junior season and an outstanding off-season. Can he reach the five-star
level with an outstanding senior season performance? ... There is no doubt that
Highland Springs star Cris Hill is an outstanding athlete with great speed. He
is a natural and fluid athlete. He also seems primed for a breakout senior
season in terms of production, so he's another player to watch in this
department.
Committed...
- Only eight of the Top 30 players remain uncommitted.
- Nine players outside the Top 30 have committed to 1A programs.
- In terms of the battle between the Cavs and the Hokies ... Virginia Tech
has landed 10 Top 30 players, while UVa has six.
The Preseason Top 30
Note: The following list has been posted in
table format and can be accessed from TSL's In-State
Recruiting Rankings Page.
1. Tyrod Taylor -- QB, 6-2, 200 pounds, Hampton
Committed to Virginia Tech
2. Peter Lalich -- QB, 6-5, 230, West Springfield
Committed to Virginia
3. Jay Smith -- WR, 6-3, 200, Lake Taylor
Uncommitted
4. J'Courtney Williams -- LB, 6-3, 220, Christchurch
Committed to Virginia
5. Terence Fells-Danzer -- LB, 6-1 ½, 220, Culpeper
Committed to Virginia
6. Davon Morgan -- S, 6-0, 188, Varina
Committed to Virginia Tech
7. William Alvarez -- OL, 6-5, 310, Hylton
Committed to Virginia Tech
8. Cris Hill -- DB/WR, 5-11, 175, Highland Springs
Uncommitted
9. Andrew Nuss -- OL, 6-5, 285, Stone Bridge
Committed to Notre Dame
10. Blake DeChristopher -- OL, 6-5, 295, Clover Hill
Committed to Virginia Tech
11. Khalil Latif -- OL, 6-3, 290, Manchester
Committed to Virginia Tech
12. Max Milien -- RB, 6-1, 198, Yorktown
Committed to Virginia
13. Jaymes Brooks -- OL, 6-2, 296, Denbigh
Committed to Virginia Tech
14. D.J. Thomas -- DB/RB, 5-9, 170, Patrick Henry
Committed to Virginia Tech (for 2008 class)
15. Jamar Jackson -- DE/LB, 6-4, 230, Varina
Uncommitted
16. C.J. Fleming -- CB, 5-11, 175, Highland Springs
Committed to Tennessee
17. Bradley Starks -- QB, 6-3, 180, Orange
Committed to West Virginia
18. Brian Linthicum -- DE/TE, 6-4, 220, St. Anne's-Belfield
Committed to Clemson
19. Brandon Hogan -- ATH, 5-11, 160, Osbourn
Committed to West Virginia
20. Aaron Taliaferro -- LB, 6-2, 220, Gloucester
Committed to Virginia
21. Savion Frazier -- ATH, 6-2, 210, Gar-Field
Uncommitted
22. Kevin Simmons -- RB, 5-9, 185, Kempsville
Uncommitted
23. Greg Nosal -- TE/OL, 6-7, 255, Kellam
Committed to Virginia Tech
24. Quillie Odom -- LB, 6-2, 210, Osborne Park
Committed to Virginia Tech
25. Kris Burd -- WR/DB, 6-1, 180, Matoaca
Uncommitted
26. Patrick Terry -- WR, 6-0, 175, Halifax County
Committed to Virginia Tech
27. Corey Mosley -- ATH, 5-9, 192, Henrico
Uncommitted
28. Maurice Hampton -- OL, 6-4, 290, Phoebus
Uncommitted
29. Jared Detrick -- LB, 6-2, 230, Woodside
Committed to Virginia
30. Russell Wilson -- QB, 5-11, 180, Collegiate
Committed to N.C. State
Best of the rest...
Players that fall right on the edge of the Top 30 include WR Danny Coale, LB
Landon Givers, LB Tolbert Matthews, OL/DL Anthony Mihota, ATH Torrey Smith,
DB/LB Alonzo Tweedy and DL Bud Tribbey.
Heritage LB/DE Chad Battles -- Committed to Syracuse
Kempsville DB Lester Bell
Varina WR Donte Boston
Maury WR/DB James Butts
Episcopal WR Danny Coale -- Committed to Virginia Tech
First Colonial WR/DB Taveion Cuffee
St. Stephen's DT Ian Davidsion -- Committed to Maryland
Hampton RB/DB Jacobi Fenner
Nansemond River WR Darryl Freeney -- Committed to East Carolina
Stone Bridge ATH Terence Glenn
Hylton OL Leo Grassilli
Kempsville DB Trenton Hughes -- Committed to Maryland
Phoebus LB Landon Givers
Phoebus RB Dennis Mathis
Norview LB Tolbert Matthews
Maury WR Dyrii McCain
Massaponax OL/DL Anthony Mihota -- Committed to Virginia
Indian River WR/DB Kevin Nichols
Salem QB/ATH Rick Kresinske
St. Anne's ATH Colin Pehanick
Hermitage LB Cliff Perryman -- Committed to East Carolina
Henrico WR Brandon Spurlock
Stafford ATH Torrey Smith -- Committed to Maryland
Essex RB Lamar Stewart
Varina DT Bud Tribbey
Hermitage DB/LB Alonzo Tweedy -- Committed to Virginia Tech
Meadowbrook DB Jonathan Wade