Deane Cheatham starred at Hanover High School (Mechanicsville, VA) before moving on to a solid career as a starting tight end at James Madison University. Younger brother Clayton, a junior quarterback, is now making a name for himself, drawing interest from a number of schools including the University of Virginia.
Clayton Cheatham was in Charlottesville on March 5 for the Cavaliers’ Junior Day recruiting event.
“The UVA experience was amazing. I was really impressed with the new staff and it was definitely somewhere I could see myself in the future,” Cheatham wrote in a Twitter direct message.
“Coach was great,” Cheatham wrote, referring to new Cavalier football head coach Bronco Mendenhall. “He has instilled a great attitude and plan for the future that I believe will be successful.”
The 6’3”, 220-pound junior signal caller missed most of the 2015 season after suffering a broken tibia and torn ligaments in Hanover’s season opener against Dinwiddie. He returned to the lineup on November 6 against a good Henrico team and played well in his return, accounting for 292 yards of offense and three touchdowns in a 24-21 win. The following week, he posted 147 yards rushing, 88 yards passing, and six total touchdowns (four rush, two pass) while leading the Hawks to a 47-28 first round playoff win over Louisa.
“I am a dual-threat quarterback that likes to run it but will go to the air if I have to,” Cheatham wrote. “The coaches at UVA liked that about me because that’s what they want in a quarterback.”
Cheatham has not been offered by Virginia coach Bronco Mendenhall, who wants to see him at a one-day camp.
“Of course I would like to get a scholarship from them, but it’s not up to me,” Cheatham answered when asked if knew his status with UVA in terms of landing a scholarship. “I do think my style of play would fit their offense.”
Prior to UVA, Cheatham made visits to JMU and Richmond. He’ll be at Old Dominion this Saturday, March 19, and will visit JMU again on April 2. Boston College, Delaware, Marshall and Wake Forest are schools he plans to visit at some point in the future.
As for UVA, a return trip to Charlottesville is in the plans.
“I definitely want to return to UVA, probably for a spring practice or something,” Cheatham said.
