There are talented prospects throughout the state of Virginia in what is a deep 2007 class. At least 40 players have landed Division 1A offers up to this point with perhaps more on the way. This class is deep and Virginia and Virginia Tech have each done well in rounding up some of the state’s best.
The Top Five…
Not surprisingly, the two players on top of the Postseason Top 30 are Hampton star Tyrod Taylor and West Springfield’s Peter Lalich , who TheSabre.com views as the clear top two prospects in the state of Virginia.
The 6-1 ½, 200-pound Taylor concluded a decorated high school career by passing for 1,538 yards, rushing for 788 yards and accounting for 36 total touchdowns in his senior year. A two-time all-state performer, Taylor, who led Hampton to a state championship his junior season and earned a spot in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl, combines athleticism, poise, a good arm and the work ethic needed to succeed on the next level. To me, the poise and confidence he displayed throughout his high school career is what separates him from the rest.
Lalich, a 6-5, 225-pound signal caller, made significant strides from his junior season to his senior season. And he is another player who certainly has the drive and desire to be the best. Showing a strong and accurate arm, he put up astounding numbers his senior year in completing 67.8 percent of his passes while throwing for 3,133 yards with 32 touchdowns to only seven interceptions. In light of his senior season performance, Lalich closed the gap with Taylor for the top spot in the state in my opinion. Both players are very, very talented performers and no doubt both Virginia Tech (Taylor) and UVa (Lalich) are very happy to have their respective stars.
Coming in at number three is Highland Springs cornerback/wide receiver Cris Hill , who quietly turned in an excellent senior season. A wide receiver for the Springers, the 5-11, 175-pound Hill accounted for over 800 yards combined of rushing and receiving and scored 10 touchdowns. Defensively, he accounted for three interceptions (one returned for a touchdown) and five pass break-ups. Hill has great speed and is easy and fluid in his movements. Hill’s extremely solid senior season performance, combined with his athleticism and potential on the next level (I see him more as a cornerback), boost him from Preseason #8 to #3 in this final list.
J’Courtney Williams remains at number four from our Preseason list. The 6-3, 220-pound Christchurch star, who missed most of his junior season with a knee injury, played his entire senior season although he did have a nagging hamstring injury towards the end (but played through it). Williams almost got the nod in the number three spot, but injury questions and competition kept him at number four. Still, I think Williams has outstanding upside and perhaps the most of any defensive player in the state.
Rounding out the top five is a player who turned as good a senior season as you’ll find in the country. Brandon Hogan, a 5-11, 170-pound quarterback/athlete out of Osbourn High School, led his team to a state championship this past season. He accounted for over 4,000 yards of total offense and scored an amazing 59 touchdowns. Opposing high school coaches once again raved about the talents of Hogan, who, in hindsight, should have been rated higher in the Preseason list (he was number 19). While the position he will play for West Virginia may be a question, there are few questions about his playmaking ability and athleticism.
Sleepers…
Here a few “sleepers” to keep an eye on…
It’s tough to call a player rated number 12 in the state a real sleeper, but UVa recruit Max Milien is a player you don’t hear too much about. The 6-1, 200-pound Yorktown running back missed the first four games of his senior season due to a knee injury, which is why he remained at #12 from the Preseason list. Milien, who returned from the injury to turn in some very good performances, is a player to watch because of his combination of size and speed as well as his versatility – he’s an excellent receiver out of the backfield. And he can make the big play.
Another sleeper on the offensive side of the ball is 6-7, 265-pound Kellam tight end/offensive tackle Greg Nosal . Nosal is a sleeper at the offensive tackle position. He will get a shot at tight end at Virginia Tech, but his potential as an offensive tackle is why he is a sleeper. Nosal plays in a run-oriented system and is a very good blocker right now. He has the frame to add a bunch more weight and he has long arms and good athleticism to turn into an excellent offensive tackle. Will Alvarez, Blake DeChristopher , Khalil Latif , Andrew Nuss and Jaymes Brooks are the most talked about offensive lineman in the state, but watch out for Nosal.
Defensively, one player I’m very anxious to see develop in the coming years is Michigan linebacker recruit Marell Evans . The 6-3, 205-pound Varina standout plays with fire and shows terrific closing speed and playmaking ability. In my opinion, the in-state programs could regret not getting in on this kid.
Postseason Top 30
1. Tyrod Taylor – QB, 6-1 ½, 200 pounds, Hampton
Committed to Virginia Tech
2. Peter Lalich – QB, 6-5, 225, West Springfield
Committed to Virginia
3. Cris Hill – CB/WR, 5-11, 175, Highland Springs
Committed to Virginia Tech
4. J’Courtney Williams – LB, 6-3, 220, Christchurch
Committed to Virginia
5. Brandon Hogan – ATH, 5-11, 170, Osbourn
Committed to West Virginia
6. Terence Fells-Danzer – LB, 6-1 ½, 220, Culpeper
Committed to Virginia
7. Davon Morgan – S, 6-0, 190, Varina
Committed to Virginia Tech
8. Blake DeChristopher – OL, 6-5, 305, Clover Hill
Committed to Virginia Tech
9. Jamar Jackson – DE/LB, 6-4, 230, Varina
Committed to Florida State
10. Will Alvarez – OL, 6-5, 300, Hylton
Committed to Virginia Tech
11. Khalil Latif – OL, 6-3, 290, Manchester
Committed to Virginia Tech
12. Max Milien – RB, 6-1, 200, Yorktown
Committed to Virginia
13. Andrew Nuss – OL, 6-5, 285, Stone Bridge
Committed to Notre Dame
14. D.J. Thomas – ATH, 5-9, 170, Patrick Henry
Committed to Virginia Tech
15. Jay Smith – WR, 6-3, 200, Lake Taylor
Committed to N.C. State
16. Greg Nosal – TE/OT, 6-7, 265, Kellam
Committed to Virginia Tech
17. Jaymes Brooks – OL, 6-2, 295, Denbigh
Committed to Virginia Tech
18. C.J. Fleming – CB, 5-11, 175, Highland Springs
Committed to Tennessee
19. Savion Frazier – RB/LB, 6-2, 210, Gar-Field
Committed to Tennessee
20. Quillie Odom – LB, 6-2, 215, Osbourn Park
Committed to Virginia Tech
21. Kris Burd – WR, 6-1, 185, Matoaca
Committed to Virginia
22. Danny Coale – WR/DB
Committed to Virginia Tech
23. Marell Evans – LB, 6-3, 210, Varina
Committed to Michigan
24. Corey Mosley – DB/WR, 5-9, 190, Henrico
Uncommitted
25. Bradley Starks – QB, 6-3, 175, Orange
Committed to West Virginia
26. Brian Linthicum – TE/DE, 6-4, 220, St. Anne’s-Belfield
Committed to Clemson
27. Anthony Mihota – DL/OL, 6-5, 265, Massaponnax
Committed to Virginia
28. Aaron Taliaferro – LB, 6-2, 220, Gloucester
Committed to Virginia
29. Chima Okoli – DL, 6-5, 275, Salem
Uncommitted
30. Russell Wilson – QB, 5-11, 185, Collegiate
Committed to N.C. State
30T. Patrick Terry – WR, 6-0, 175, Halifax County
Committed to Virginia Tech
The next 10 (in alphabetical order)…
Heritage LB Chad Battles – Committed to Syracuse
Woodside LB Jared Detrick – Committed to UVa
Hylton OL Leo Grassilli – Committed to San Diego State
Phoebus OL Maurice Hampton – Uncommitted
Kempsville DB Trenton Hughes – Committed to Maryland
Phoebus RB Dennis Mathis – Uncommitted
Stafford ATH Torrey Smith – Committed to Maryland
Varina DT Bud Tribbey – Committed to Syracuse
Hermitage LB/S Alonzo Tweedy – Committed to Virginia Tech
Grafton ATH Phillip Thaxton – Committed to Delaware
