Pre-Summer Top 30 In-State Recruits for 2005

Overview

Victor Harris

The state of Virginia is back on the national scene talent-wise, boasting the strongest field of prospects since the
famed 2002 class. Overall, this class compares favorably with 2002. Although they may not have the talent 2002 had at
the top, the depth in this class from one through twenty (or even twenty-five) is excellent.

Defensive end is one of the strongest positions this year, as six potential d-end prospects have made the Top 30.
Sprinkle in top skill position athletes, linebackers, and some solid offensive line targets and you have a good deal of
versatility throughout the class.

The headliner for the class of 2005 is Highland Springs tailback/cornerback Victor “Macho” Harris.
The 6-0, 180 pound Harris has already been marked as a five-star prospect by Rivals.com. His offer total (over 40) is by
far the most in the class, and for good reason. Harris is exceptional on both sides of the ball and could easily play
either of his positions on the next level.

Currently second on the Top 30 is Phoebus workhorse running back Elan Lewis . Lewis is one of the most
productive players in the state. As a junior, he rushed for 2,474 yards and 39 touchdowns. He made Peninsula District
history last year by becoming the first player to rush for over 2,000 yards in 10 regular-season games. Although he is
probably only 5-9 or so, Lewis shows awesome strength within his 210-pound frame and good speed. His best asset may be
his natural running ability.

Speaking of productive, No. 3 on our list is all-everything quarterback Vic Hall. Hall, who amassed a
Virginia High School League-record 4,434 yards of total offense in leading the Gretna Hawks to the Division 3 state
title, was named Group AA player of the year. He completed 167 of 250 passes for 2,769 yards and 31 touchdowns in 2003.
He also ran for 1,665 yards and 25 TDs. Look for another great season in 2004 for Hall, who’s looking to lead Gretna
to back-to-back state titles.

The anchor of Landstown High School’s defense is linebacker Deveon Simmons , who comes in at No. 4.
Simmons, a 6-1, 208-pound prospect who has the speed to play safety on the next level, is a devastating hitter. He
tallied 91 tackles, including an awesome 42 tackles-for-loss as a junior. Simmons was a first-team AP all-state
performer last season.

Rounding out the top five is Centreville offensive tackle Pat Sheil . Sheil has great size at 6-7, 260, and
shows excellent athleticism. His combination of size and athleticism has drawn offers from some of the nation’s best,
including Miami and Oklahoma. Sheil only played along the defensive line as a junior, but he is considered a top
prospect as an offensive tackle, which is the position he will play as a senior. Sheil could be considered a
“jumbo athlete,” a term that applies to many of the top prospects in the Top 30.

Pre-Summer Top 30

1 – TB/CB Victor Harris – 6-0, 180 pounds, Highland Springs
Harris shows excellent ability as either a tailback or cornerback. He has the total package – breakaway speed,
quickness, and elusiveness.

2 – TB Elan Lewis – 5-9, 210 pounds, Phoebus
A tough, strong runner, Lewis is tough to bring down and wears on a defense throughout an entire game. He shows quick
feet and the ability to cut in traffic.

3 – QB Vic Hall – 5-10, 180 pounds, Gretna
Hall uses his arm and his feet to defeat opponents. As a passer, he is accurate and shows good zip on the ball. As a
runner, he is very fast and elusive. A true dual-threat quarterback.

Committed to Virginia

4 – LB/S Deveon Simmons – 6-1, 208 pounds, Landstown
The best hitter in the class of 2005. Simmons plays like a missile, darting in to make devastating hits on opponents.

Committed to Virginia Tech

5 – OT Pat Sheil – 6-7, 260 pounds, Centreville
Sheil impressed everyone with an outstanding Charlottesville Nike Camp performance this spring. His athleticism has
schools loving his potential as an offensive tackle.

6 – DE Jeffrey Fitzgerald – 6-4, 250 pounds, Hermitage
Fitzgerald’s ability to use his hands is most impressive. He pushes blockers aside and then shows the closing speed
and athleticism to make the play. Fitzgerald is a very good tight end prospect as well.

7 – ATH Greg Boone – 6-4, 250 pounds, Oscar Smith
Boone is a true athlete who has the ability to play quarterback, linebacker, defensive end, or tight end on the next
level. As a quarterback, he is strong in the pocket and shows a strong arm. He shows his athleticism by playing safety
on defense.

8 – LB Darryl Gresham – 6-3, 230 pounds, William Fleming
In only his first season playing linebacker, Gresham made over 150 tackles, including 21 in the state championship
game, as a junior. He plays sideline-to-sideline and knows how to hit.

Committed to Virginia

9 – S Cameron Martin – 6-2, 180 pounds, George Washington-Danville
Martin plays quarterback on offense and, as a safety, is the quarterback of his defense. One college coach described
Martin’s ability to hit as “ferocious,” according to GW coach Dan Newell. Martin shows good instincts and
playmaking ability on defense.

Committed to Virginia Tech

10 – WR Todd Nolen – 6-3, 175 pounds, Hampton
Nolen is the top wide receiver in this year’s class. He’s long and lanky and has the ability to go up and make the
difficult catch. Nolen is a tough competitor with great speed.

11 – DE/TE Antonio Appleby – 6-4, 230 pounds, Salem
Effective on offense and defense, the athletic Appleby could be a good tight end or defensive end on the next level. He’s
athletic enough to play linebacker as well. Appleby’s soft hands and good speed make him a major threat on offense,
but look for his athleticism to be used on defense in college.

Committed to Virginia

12 – OL Pat Slebonick – 6-4, 295 pounds, North Stafford
Slebonick and teammate Tony North have each received five scholarship offers. While North is the better athlete,
Slebonick appears to be the more polished player of the two right now. Slebonick combines strength with good technique.
Committed to Virginia

13 – CB Jamar Jackson – 5-9, 190 pounds, Bethel
Jackson’s anticipation and athleticism have helped him accumulate 17 interceptions over the past two seasons. He made
nine picks as a junior last season.

14 – OL Tony North – 6-4, 310 pounds, North Stafford
North is very fast for his size. He has excellent potential as an offensive lineman on the next level because of his
size, speed, and quick feet.

Committed to Virginia Tech

15 – DE Steven Friday – 6-5, 215 pounds, Phoebus
Friday is a bit lanky, but he is tough, strong and a tremendous competitor out on the field. He has the ability to
play linebacker or defensive end in college. He plays middle linebacker on occasion in high school.

16 – DE/TE Jason Fuller – 6-5, 220 pounds, Kempsville
Another jumbo athlete type, Fuller could play tight end, defensive end or linebacker in college. He has excellent speed
(averages a 4.65 in the 40) and quickness. Fuller is also a disciplined worker and tough competitor. With his speed,
tight end could be his best position on the next level.
Committed to Virginia

17 – OL/DE Ed Wang – 6-5, 260 pounds, Stone Bridge
As a defensive end and tight end for Stone Bridge, Wang can really move well for his size. He will likely be an
offensive tackle on the next level and has the potential to be a good one.
Committed to Virginia Tech

18 – TE John Phillips – 6-6, 240 pounds, Bath County
The top true tight end prospect in the state, Phillips is still recovering from a knee injury at the end of last season
in which he tore two ligaments. Still, he is an excellent get for the Cavaliers, who liken Phillips to current star Heath Miller,
according to BCHS coach Will Fields.
Committed to Virginia

19 – LB Demetrius Taylor – 6-1, 220 pounds, Floyd Kellam
Taylor possesses tremendous speed and is very strong for his size. He covers ground all over the field and is a solid
tackler.
Committed to Virginia Tech

20 – DT Joseph Johnson – 6-2, 330 pounds, Varina
If Johnson can keep his weight down, he is an excellent prospect as a defensive tackle. Johnson shows a lot of potential
with his footwork and speed, but he needs to improve his strength. The potential appears to be there.

21 – CB/WR Chris Cook – 6-2, 185 pounds, Heritage (Lynchburg)
Very fast, Cook was timed at 4.49 in the 40 during the Nike Camp in Charlottesville. He has good closing speed on
defense. On offense, Cook shows good hands and makes plays.
Committed to Virginia

22 – DB Kavell Connor – 6-2, 208 pounds, Manchester
The biggest question with Kavell is what position he plays on the next level. Physically, he compares favorably with
Jason Snelling, who also came out of the Dominion District (LC Bird). Connor could be a defensive back but could play
linebacker depending on how much weight he can add. He could play fullback as well.

23 – JATH Alex Field – 6-6, 248 pounds, Broad Run
A big-time competitor who has the size to become an offensive tackle. He could also stay at defensive end, where he was
the Dulles District Player of the Year last season.
Committed to Virginia

24 – QB Jameel Sewell – 6-3, 190 pounds, Hermitage
The tall lefty with a good arm hopes to build upon a solid junior season – his first on the varsity level. Sewell
looks natural sitting in the pocket but has the ability to break a big play with his legs as well. He shows good pocket
presence and accuracy.

Committed to Virginia

25 – QB/ATH Cody Brodus – 6-2, 205 pounds, Warwick
Last season was Brodus’ first playing quarterback. Though he is very raw as a QB, Brodus has a strong arm. A good
athlete, Brodus could also end up playing safety in college.

26 – DL Kevin Crawford – 6-5, 270 pounds, Gar-Field
Although a little inconsistent last season, according to his coach, Crawford’s physical attributes are awesome (4.8
forty). He could really rise in the rankings following his senior season.
Committed to Virginia

27 – DE/TE Aaron Clark – 6-6, 230 pounds, Rockbridge
Clark is similar in stature and athleticism to Jason Fuller , although may not be as natural an athlete. He has the speed
to play outside linebacker, but will likely be a defensive end or possibly tight end after a year of redshirting.
Committed to Virginia

28 – QB Bobby Rome – 6-1, 210 pounds, Granby
Rome is a big-time playmaker for Granby. A dual threat, he has big-play ability as a runner and passer. As a passer,
Rome has a very strong arm and solid accuracy.

29 – DE Andrew Lewis – 6-2, 250 pounds, Centreville
A good athlete, Lewis’ quickness off the edge compensates for his lack of size as a defensive end. He is a good pass
rusher.

30 – TB Justin Carrington – 6-1, 200 pounds, Liberty (Bealeton)
Improved his stock with a 4.47 40 and a 4.08 shuttle at the Nike Camp at Penn State. Carrington is looking for a
breakout senior year following a solid junior season.

On the Brink…

Players to keep an eye out for next season…

Bethel DL Terrence Johnson
Only played half the season last year and could be a real sleeper.

Gretna LB Horace Hubbard
Posted subpar numbers during the Nike Camp in Charlottesville, however is still a big playmaker for Gretna.

Harrisonburg OL Wes Lokey
Looking to show skills on offense as a senior. Mainly played defense over his high school career.

Hopewell FB Mike Pigram
Extremely strong and with good speed, Pigram compares favorably to Jerrett Brown (William & Mary signee) from
last season.

Huguenot WR Kevin Cousins (PSU Commit) and CB Sean Smalls
Cousins is big (6-4) and fast while Smalls has been gaining interest throughout the spring (reports have him with
five offers, however I haven’t confirmed it yet.).

North Stafford DT Cordarrow Thompson
Thompson has the size (6-2, 315 pounds) and moves well for a d-tackle. He makes a lot of plays and his name
consistently comes up when speaking with opposing coaches.

Phoebus LB Stevon Moss
Moss, who has already drawn an offer from Kent State, is an athletic linebacker.

Western Branch CB/WR Devin Fentress and DE Alton Bradley
Bradley impressed during the recent Virginia Beach combine while Fentress has excellent speed (4.35 40).

William Fleming WR Mijuan Curtis
Curtis could be this year’s LC Baker. Like Baker, Curtis is short (around 5-6 or so) but extremely elusive and has
great speed.

Oscar Smith WR Tommie Lawrence
Lawrence will be Boone’s go-to-guy this year and will have a chance for a breakout season. Good size at 6-1, 180
pounds.

St. Christopher’s TE/OL/DL Richard Graham
Graham is yet another 6-6, 255-pound athletic prospect. He has posted a 4.9 forty time this spring along with an
over 30-inch vertical leap.

Pre-Summer Rankings, 2005 Recruiting Class Top 30 Players in Virginia
Rank	Pos	Player	Ht	Wt	40	Commit
1	TB/CB	Victor Harris	6-0	180	4.46
2	TB	Elan Lewis	5-9	210	4.45
3	QB	Vic Hall	5-10	180	4.4	UVa
4	LB/S	Deveon Simmons	6-1	208	4.6
5	OT	Pat Sheil	6-7	260	5.0
6	DE	Jeffrey Fitzgerald	6-4	250	4.8
7	QB/ATH	Greg Boone	6-4	250	4.65
8	LB	Darryl Gresham	6-3	230	4.68
9	S	Cameron Martin	6-2	180	4.5	Virginia Tech
10	WR	Todd Nolen	6-3	175	n/a
11	DE/TE	Antonio Appleby	6-4	230	4.6
12	OL	Pat Slebonick	6-4	295	5.3	UVa
13	CB	Jamar Jackson	5-9	190	4.5
14	OL	Tony North	6-4	310	5.3
15	DE	Steven Friday	6-5	215	4.7
16	DE/TE	Jason Fuller	6-5	220	4.7	UVa
17	OL/DE	Ed Wang	6-5	260	4.8	Virginia Tech
18	TE	John Phillips	6-6	240	4.75	UVa
19	LB	Demetrius Taylor	6-1	220	4.5	Virginia Tech
20	DT	Joseph Johnson	6-2	330	5.0
21	CB/WR	Chris Cook	6-2	185	4.49	UVa
22	DB	Kavell Connor	6-2	208	4.5
23	JATH	Alex Field	6-6	248	4.8	UVa
24	QB	Jameel Sewell	6-3	190	4.68
25	QB/ATH	Cody Brodus	6-2	205	4.5
26	DL	Kevin Crawford	6-5	270	4.8	UVa
27	DE/TE	Aaron Clark	6-6	230	4.7	UVa
28	QB	Bobby Rome	6-1	210	4.8
29	DE	Andrew Lewis	6-2	250	4.8
30	TB	Justin Carrington	6-1	200	4.47