Chris Horne’s Top 30 Virginia Football Players

With quarterbacks and running backs making up seven of the top ten prospects, it is not difficult to establish the strength of the 2004 class in the state of Virginia. Heading the list of quarterbacks is the number one ranked prospect in the state, Westfield High’s Sean Glennon . Glennon, who stands 6-4 and weighs 190 pounds, possesses outstanding accuracy and field savvy with a strong arm. Over his sophomore and junior seasons combined, Glennon threw 42 touchdowns with only seven interceptions at a 65 % completion percentage. He has received early offers from both Virginia and Virginia Tech.

Kecoughtan linebacker Jerod Mayo is the state’s top defender and one of the top linebackers on the East Coast. The 6-3, 215 pound outside backer has been offered by both in-state schools and should receive quite a few outside of the state. Mayo is the type of player that simply makes plays, and he makes them all over the field.

Listed as the #2 quarterback prospect and #3 overall is Hopewell’s Lee Bujakowski . Bujakowski is your typical pocket quarterback. He does not move around too much in the pocket, instead standing tall, poised, and confident until a receiver comes open. Possessing a cannon for an arm, Bujakowski can make all of the throws and uses nice touch as well.

It can be argued that no junior in the state of Virginia was more productive than Graham standout running back Ahmad Bradshaw . The only player in the Sabre Top 30 with a day named after him, Bradshaw rushed for 2,282 yards and 27 touchdowns as a junior. Bradshaw is a terrific receiver as well, as he has made close to 70 receptions over the past two seasons. He can also play in the defensive backfield, where he is a big hitter.

Rounding out the top five is Tidewater area star running back Antwain Carey . The Deep Creek standout is exceptional in both football and track. At 6-0, 205 pounds, he is big and very fast, as he runs a sub 4.4 in the forty yard dash. He rushed for over 1,100 yards as a junior.

Western Branch quarterback Ryan Pond , William Campbell running back Cedric Peerman , Culpeper safety Kent Hicks , Colonial Forge quarterback Randy Hippeard, and St. Anne’s Belfield defensive lineman Chris Long make up the rest of the Sabre pre-summer Top 10. This year’s class appears to have good depth, making for an interesting and competitive 2003-2004 recruiting season between the Cavaliers and the Hokies.

Chris Horne’s Pre-Summer Top 30

1 – QB Sean Glennon – 6-4, 190, Westfield

Extremely accurate and smart with good physical skills.

2 – LB Jerod Mayo – 6-3, 216, Kecoughtan

Instinctive linebacker who makes covers the entire field.

3 – QB Lee Bujakowski – 6-3, 225, Hopewell

Strong-armed quarterback who shows good poise in the pocket.

4 – RB Ahmad Bradshaw – 5-10, 185, Graham

Do-everything back could play running back, wide receiver, or defensive back in college.

5 – RB Antwain Carey – 6-0, 205, Deep Creek

Big running back with explosive breakaway speed.

6 – RB Cedric Peerman – 5-11, 195, William Campbell

Running back has good acceleration. Likes to run over would-be tacklers, but can run around them.

7 – S Kent Hicks – 6-4, 210, Culpeper

Prototypical safety prospect. Has the body and physical skill to play in college right now.


8 – DL Chris Long – 6-4, 245, St. Anne’s Belfield

Son of Howie Long is top defensive line prospect in state. A hard hitter, he could play DT or DE in college. Committed to Virginia.


9 – QB Ryan Pond – 6-3, 230, Western Branch

Strong armed and smart. An intelligent field general.


10 – QB Randy Hippeard – 6-3, 185, Colonial Forge

Very athletic quarterback with a strong arm.


11 – OL John Bradshaw – 6-5, 295, Stafford

Carries weight very well and has good quickness off the ball. Punishes defensive tackles.


12 – DE Jon Kirchner – 6-5, 260, Rockbridge

Very productive player. Can stop the run and rush the passer equally well. Good blocker as an offensive tackle.


13 – LB Andrew Bowman – 6-1, 230, Hermitage

Explosive and intense linebacker. Made two hits last season that knocked opponent’s helmet off.


14 – DE Olu Hall – 6-4, 220, Robinson

Exceptional run stopper – cannot get around him. Good athleticism. Uses hands very well.


15 – WR Eddie Royal – 5-10, 170, Westfield

One of the fastest players in the state. Sean Glennon ‘s favorite target.


16 – WR Jeremy Gilchrist – 5-11, 185, Salem (Virginia Beach)

Not the same speed as Shannon Lane , but more polished as a receiver according to former Salem coach Beatty.


17 – FB/LB Chris Spinner – 6-2, 220, Liberty (Bedford)

Took sophomore year off, but returned strong as a junior. Looks the part of a collegiate player. Plays quite a bit of fullback, but could play linebacker in college.


18 – DB Anthony Brown – 5-11, 195, Liberty (Bealeton)

Hard hitting from the safety position. Not game breaking speed, but is quick and productive.


19 – LB Austin Casey – 6-2, 215, Salem

Is very well put together, and very strong. Plays middle linebacker for Salem. Very quick and covers the field very well.


20 – OL Zac Stair – 6-6, 280, Osbourn Park

Has the physical tools and athleticism needed to be a solid offensive tackle prospect.


21 – CB/WR Patrick Preston – 6-1, 180, Franklin County

Very fast on the field. Good anticipation from the corner position.


22 – DE Brandon Holland – 6-5, 289, Northside

Very athletic for his size. Could be an offensive line prospect in the mold of Nick Marshman .


23 – S/WR Kevin Allen – 6-3, 178, Highland Springs

Big hitter. Tall and lanky with very good hands.


24 – QB Jacob Phillips – 6-3, 185, Bath County

Very tough quarterback who plays through injuries. Has a good arm and good athleticism. Runs the option very well.


25 – WR/DB Frankie Caldeyro – 6-2, 180, Churchland.

Blazing speed. Plays many different positions.


26 – DE Nathan Bryant – 6-3, 240, Liberty (Bedford)

Very intense player. Uses good technique, quickness, and leverage to be a very productive defensive end.


27 – LB/S Endor Cooper – 6-2, 190, CD Hylton

In between an outside linebacker and safety. Likes to hit, and is very active.


28 – LB Devonta Brown – 6-4, 235, Charlottesville

Has good size and athleticism as an outside or inside linebacker.


29 – FB/LB Sam Wheeler – 6-3, 235, Blacksburg

Good athlete stands out in basketball as well.


30 – DE/TE Ian Childress – 6-5, 220, Liberty (Bedford)

An exceptional athlete (4.6 40). Needs to add strength, but could be a tight end or defensive end prospect if he can put on 20 pounds or so.