Senior Christopher Sharp has rushed for 868 yards and 16 touchdowns in six games this season, helping Hun School (Princeton, N.J.) to a 5-1 record with two games left to play. Sharp’s latest big-time performance came last Saturday in a 62-14 win over Lawrenceville School, which surrendered 222 yards rushing and five scores to the UVa-bound running back.
“Our offensive line this year is just amazing. They make it easy for me,” said Sharp, who has rushed for over 100 yards in every game except a 34-7 loss to Poly Prep Country Day. In that game, he rushed for 80 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries.
“This offseason, I just improved on my strength and conditioning and explosiveness. The credit goes to our conditioning coach. My power has improved tremendously. I feel totally different this year.”
Sharp considered scholarship offers from Boston College, Iowa, and Rutgers before going with Virginia, which was one of the few schools recruiting him primarily as a tailback. Other programs liked the 6’2”, 195-pound prospect as a linebacker. With top Cavalier rushers Kevin Parks and key backup Khalek Shepherd moving on after this season, are the Virginia coaches looking for Sharp to play as a true freshman?
“[The UVa coaches] really haven’t had those kinds of conversations with me. I actually talked to Coach Lewis early [last night]. He heard about my past game. He said he was excited to have me next year,” Sharp said.
Sharp has the size to run in-between the tackles. He has also shown explosiveness, breaking off runs of 99, 81, 71 and 45 yards this season. In addition, he has had receptions of 45 and 43 yards.
“Definitely running backs, a lot of us have the same traits, but I think I’m unique in that I can be a power back or a speed back,” Sharp said. “I’m always trying to improve my game as well. Nothing is perfect, but I’m always working towards perfection.”
Sharp says he remains solidly committed to the Cavaliers, adding that he is pleased with how the program has performed this season.
“I think they are doing really well,” Sharp said. “I have had a chance to watch a few games. When I can’t, I’ve been following along the tweets and stuff. It sounds like they are having a great year. There are close games they could’ve won. They are just coming up.”
Running backs coach Larry Lewis is “a great coach,” Sharp said. “I’ve watched videos and interviews in doing research on the coaches, and I can tell he is intelligent. I’m excited to get under his wings. I know I can do great under him.”
Asked about his future at UVa, Sharp said: “I’m definitely excited for the whole atmosphere. Coming from a small private school, the competition will be tough, but the fan support will be a whole different feel. The whole family kind of atmosphere is great. I can’t wait for it.”
The Garden State star has yet to attend a Virginia home game this season, but he hopes to change that by attending UVa’s final home game against Miami.
More Notable Performances From UVa Recruits Last Week
– Safety prospect David Curry returned a punt 45 yards for a touchdown in Buford’s (GA) 58-3 win over North Oconee. He also had three tackles and a pass break-up in the win, Buford’s eighth of the season in as many games. Curry made the Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Player of the Year Watch List this week.
– Wide receiver David Eldridge III had an 80-yard touchdown catch and returned a punt 84 yards for a score as Kettle Run (Nokesville, VA) rolled to a 52-0 win over Brentsville. The Cougars (6-2) face Liberty (Bealeton) this week, pitting Eldridge against future UVa teammate RJ Proctor.
– Juan Thornhill dominated Chatham, accounting for 348 total yards and five touchdowns (1 pass, 1 rush, 2 punt return, 1 interception return) in a 55-21 win. Defending state champion Altavista (VA) is now 8-0.
The Rest
– The following UVa recruits were victorious last week…
OL Ryan Bischoff (Plymouth Whitemarsh HS, 6 wins – 3 losses), OL/DT Eli Hanback (Patrick Henry, 4-4), LB Kareem McDonald (Wilson, 5-4), DE Gladimir Paul (Northeast, 4-5), OL Grant Polk (Charlotte, 5-3), OL RJ Proctor (Liberty, 7-1), ATH Myles Robinson (Good Counsel, 8-1), LB Jahvoni Simmons (Ocean Lakes, 8-0), DT James Trucilla (Cathedral Prep, 9-0), DL Brandon Wilson (West Orange, 9-0), all-purpose RB Olamide Zaccheaus (St. Joseph’s Prep, 5-3)
– The following future Hoos lost last week…
Class of 2016 WR Cole Blackman (Glen Allen, 1-7), TE Richard Burney Jr. (Hickory, 1-7), DE Rasool Clemons (South Aiken, 2-7), CB Kareem Gibson (Greater Johnstown, 6-3), QB Nick Johns (Gonzaga, 6-2), class of 2016 WR Joseph Reed (Randolph-Henry, 1-8), LB C.J. Stalker (Lakota West, 4-5)
– TE Tanner Cowley (Manasquan, 3-3) was on a bye.
