TheSabre.com’s Postseason Top 40

The Top 10

Following a terrific senior season in which he led the Brookville Bees (Lynchburg, VA) to an undefeated regular season, a district championship, a region championship and runner-up finish in the Group AA, Division 3 state playoffs, Logan Thomas takes over the top spot in TheSabre.com’s Postseason Top 40.

AP Group AA player of the year for his senior season performance, the 6-6, 225-pound Thomas completed 118 passes in 204 attempts, throwing for 1,535 yards and 20 touchdowns. He rushed for 842 yards and 11 more scores. Defensively, he had 51 solo tackles and four interceptions as a safety/linebacker under head coach Jeff Woody.

The Army All-American Bowl selection will play wide receiver at Virginia Tech, the program he committed to over 20-plus Division 1A scholarship offers including Clemson, Florida State, Notre Dame, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. A tremendously fluid athlete for his size, Thomas should be able to easily make the transition from quarterback to receiver. Thomas could line up at tight end, in the slot or out wide and create mismatch problems for opposing defenses; it is this versatility that helped him climb to the top in the final top 40 rankings.

George Washington (Danville, VA) running back David Wilson rises a spot from his previous ranking, moving into the number two spot after being ranked third in the Preseason Top 40. The 5-11, 190-pound senior captured several school records in his senior season, rushing for 2,291 yards and 35 scores despite running behind an inexperienced offensive line. Wilson blends big-play speed, quickness, balance and athleticism as the top running back prospect in the state of Virginia. He is also a star in track-and-field, capturing a national championship in the indoor triple jump last season as a junior.

Wilson has committed to Virginia Tech.

Phoebus (Hampton, VA) quarterback Tajh Boyd is number three on this list. The 6-1, 205-pound signal caller, fresh off an impressive MVP performance at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl, combines arm strength, accuracy, athleticism, the ability to make plays on the ground and poise. We shouldn’t leave out toughness, either. Boyd played a good part of his senior season with a torn ACL. Despite the injury, he helped a talented Phoebus Phantoms (Hampton, VA) squad to an undefeated season and a Group AAA, Division 5 state title.

A national recruit, Boyd is likely to decide between Ohio State and Oregon within the next few weeks.

Meadowbrook’s (Richmond, VA) massive offensive lineman Morgan Moses falls from the top spot in the Preseason ranks to the fourth spot in the Postseason ranks. I remain extremely high on the potential of the 6-7, 340-pound prospect, an AP Group AAA first-team all-state selection in 2008 and an Army All-American. Moses may have to attend prep school before ending up at his college destination, but the combination of size and athleticism he possesses have made him one of the top targets in the country.

Rounding out the top five is one of the toughest players I’ve seen in this year’s class – Oscar Smith (Chesapeake, VA) linebacker Jerod Askew . Askew may only be 6-0, 230 pounds, but he consistently made big plays as one of the leaders of a loaded Tigers team that captured the Group AAA, Division 6 state title. A sure tackler with terrific speed and sideline-to-sideline coverage, Askew finished 128 tackles including 12 sacks.

Askew plans to sign with Lane Kiffin and the University of Tennessee next month.

Postseason #6 Kevin Newsome started off the 2008 season extremely well, throwing for 466 yards and three scores with no interceptions in Hargrave Military Academy’s first two games, but a hand injury sidelined him for half the season. The 6-3, 205-pound prospect remains one of the state’s top recruits. He will play quarterback at Penn State, but he has the potential to be a standout at a number of other positions if signal caller doesn’t work out. As a quarterback, Newsome is raw but possesses a strong arm, good size and can make plays in the air or on the ground.

Chancellor (Fredericksburg, VA) star Dominique Wallace , who comes in at #7 on the list, capped off an impressive 4-year varsity football career with a tremendous senior season. The 6-0, 225-pound running back/linebacker rushed for 1,893 yards and 31 touchdowns, earning AP Group AA first-team all-state honors at running back. He is also a talented linebacker, showing sub-4.5 40 speed in being able to move sideline to sideline, but he will play running back at Virginia.

Varina (VA) star defensive tackle DeAntre Rhodes certainly made his presence felt in 2008, accounting for 18 tackles-for-loss with 10 sacks in helping the Blue Devils to an undefeated season and a state semifinal appearance. The 6-3, 280-pound prospect, a 4-year starter on Varina’s varsity football squad, has looked impressive on both sides of the ball but will play defensive tackle at Virginia Tech. Some believe he could contribute as a true freshman.

Snyder finishes in the top 10

Jake Snyder racked up 24 sacks in 10 games for Deep Run (Glen Allen, VA) this year, and he comes in at #9 in the final rankings. The 6-4, 235-pound prospect, a standout tight end as well as defensive end, earned AP Group AAA first-team all-state honors for his performance on defense. He will play defensive end at the University of Virginia, choosing the Cavaliers over offers from Boston College, Ohio State, Penn State and Virginia Tech, among others.

Brooke Point (Stafford, VA) defensive end Lanford Collins is a stud athletically, having started out his high school football career as a running back/defensive back before growing into his current 6-4, 240-pound frame. Collins has the athleticism to play outside linebacker, defensive end or tight end on the college level. The #10 player boasts double-digit offers but lists Maryland, Penn State, Virginia, Virginia Tech and West Virginia as his finalists.

Overall, this class is one of the deepest in the state of Virginia in recent memory. Over 50 prospects have committed to Division 1A programs, and more will commit before Signing Day. Arguments can be made for certain prospects to be included in the top 40, 30, 20 and 10, making this class so interesting – and so challenging – to rate.

Both in-state programs have enjoyed success in recruiting this class. Virginia and Virginia Tech boast 14 total in-state commits a piece, with Virginia Tech scoring 11 of the top 40 to Virginia’s 10.

Final 2009 In-State Top 40

1. Logan Thomas – TE/WR, 6-6, 225 pounds, Brookville

Committed to Virginia Tech

2. David Wilson – RB, 5-11, 190 pounds, George Washington

Committed to Virginia Tech

3. Tajh Boyd – QB, 6-1, 210 pounds, Phoebus

Committed to Clemson

4. Morgan Moses – OL, 6-7, 340 pounds, Meadowbrook

Committed to Virginia

5. Jerod Askew – LB, 6-0, 230 pounds, Oscar Smith

Committed to Tennessee

6. Kevin Newsome – QB, 6-3, 205 pounds, Hargrave Military Academy

Committed to Penn State

7. Dominique Wallace – RB/LB, 6-1, 220 pounds, Chancellor

Committed to Virginia

8. DeAntre Rhodes – DL, 6-3, 265 pounds, Varina

Committed to Virginia Tech

9. Jake Snyder – DE/TE, 6-4, 235 pounds, Deep Run

Committed to Virginia

10. Lanford Collins – DE, 6-4, 240 pounds, Brooke Point

Uncommitted

11. Bryn Renner – QB, 6-3, 190 pounds, West Springfield

Committed to North Carolina

Smith climbed into the top 15 with a stellar senior season

12. Tim Smith – WR, 6-1, 190 pounds, Oscar Smith

Committed to Virginia

13. De’antwan Williams – RB, 5-7, 205 pounds, Woodbridge

Committed to Rutgers

14. Quintin Hunter – WR/QB/DB, 6-2, 200 pounds, Orange

Committed to Virginia

15. Logan Heastie – WR, 6-1, 190 pounds, Great Bridge

Committed to West Virginia

16. Antone Exum – CB/WR/QB, 6-0, 200 pounds, Deep Run

Committed to Virginia Tech

17. David Wang – DL/OL, 6-2, 300 pounds, Stone Bridge

Committed to Virginia Tech

18. Andrew Miller – OL, 6-5, 275 pounds, Bassett

Committed to Virginia Tech

19. Jordan Love – CB, 6-0, 195 pounds, Deep Run

Committed to Georgia

20. Corey Lillard – S, 5-11, 208 pounds, Liberty (Bealeton)

Committed to Virginia

21. Dominik Davenport – DL/LB/FB, 6-1, 240 pounds, Phoebus

Committed to West Virginia

22. Perry Jones – S, 5-9, 185 pounds, Oscar Smith

Committed to Virginia

23. Telvion Clark – LB, 6-1, 205 pounds, Granby

Committed to Virginia Tech

24. Shawne Alston – RB, 5-11, 220 pounds, Phoebus

Committed to West Virginia

25. Damien Thigpen – RB/CB, 5-9, 170 pounds, Stonewall Jackson

Committed to UCLA

26. William Hill – DL, 6-4, 255 pounds, Lafayette

Committed to Virginia

27. James Gayle – DE, 6-4, 225 pounds, Bethel

Committed to Virginia Tech

28. Theron Norman – WR/S, 6-3, 185 pounds, Hermitage

Committed to Virginia Tech

29. Brian Slay – DL, 6-4, 255 pounds, Stone Bridge

Committed to N.C. State

30. Ross Metheny – QB, 6-3, 190 pounds, Sherando

Committed to Virginia

31. Zach Thompson – DL, 6-5, 250 pounds, Stone Bridge

Committed to Wake Forest

32. Duan Perez-Means – DE/LB/TE, 6-4, 235 pounds, Hermitage

Committed to Virginia Tech

33. Alex Owah – RB, 5-11, 175 pounds, Harrisonburg

Uncommitted

34. Nubian Peak – RB/WR, 5-11, 190 pounds, Pulaski County

Committed to Virginia Tech

35. Luke Bowanko – OL, 6-6, 260 pounds, Centreville

Committed to Virginia

36. Devin Bolling – OL, 6-5, 270 pounds, Brookville

Committed to Wake Forest

37. Hunter Steward – OL, 6-7, 300 pounds, Kellam

Committed to Virginia

38. Mike Privott – S/LB, 5-11, 230 pounds, Lake Taylor

Committed to Louisville

39. Mike Olson – LB, 6-1, 205 pounds, Stone Bridge

Committed to Wake Forest

40. Bradley Johnson – LB, 6-1, 210 pounds, Dinwiddie

Committed to Maryland


Ones to watch

Daniel Allen – RB, Stone Bridge Committed to James Madison

Alex Asher – TE, St. Anne’s-Belfield Committed to Richmond

Brandon Bailey – RB, West Springfield

Chase Barnett – RB, Brooke Point Committed to Liberty

LoVante Battle – LB/S, Phoebus Committed to Virginia

Adrian Cavanaugh – LB, Patrick Henry (Ashland)

Curtis Campbell – DB/WR, Grassfield Committed to North Carolina

Chris Coyer – QB, Oakton Committed to Temple

Michael Graham – QB, Monticello

Zack Glatter – TE, Centreville Committed to Princeton

Frank Figueroa – OL, Edison Committed to Penn State

Bennett Fulper – OL, Gretna Committed to Maryland

Tahron Goods – FB, George Washington

Kory Gough – OL, Liberty (Bealeton) Committed to Virginia Tech

Taylor Grubbs – TE, Amherst

Mark Halik – OL/DL, Maury

John Harris – RB, Patrick County

Sam Haskins – TE/WR, Dinwiddie

T.K. Hester – DB, Varina

Drew Jarrett – PK, Cox

Brian Jordan – DE/LB, Great Bridge

Cody Journell – PK, Giles Committed to Virginia Tech

Connor McCartin – LB, Fauquier Committed to Virginia

Boogie McCray – RB, Lake Taylor Committed to N.C. State

Dexter McDougle – WR, Stafford Committed to Maryland

Jerell McFadden – ATH, Osbourn

Adam Morgan – QB, Dinwiddie Committed to VMi

Matt Muncy – ATH, Tazewell Committted to Wake Forest

Torrian Pace – RB, Chantilly

Garett Patterson – ATH, Monacan Committed to Duke

Sterlin Phifer – RB, Landstown Committed to Boston College

Carvin Powell – ATH, Great Bridge

LaRoy Reynolds – ATH, Maury Committed to Virginia

Stephon Robertson – LB, Edison

James Rouse – DE, Harrisonburg Committed to Marshall

Brandon Scott – LB/DE, Forest Park Committed to Richmond

Dae’Quon Scott – ATH, Robert E. Lee Committed to Richmond

Brandon Sharpe – DE/LB, Ocean Lakes Committed to Louisville

Trevor Springman – OL, Stone Bridge Committed to William & Mary

Clinton Simpkins – LB, Chancellor

Bobby Smith , WR, Varina Committed to Virginia

Javanti Sparrow – CB/WR, Western Branch Committed to Virginia

Jordan Stanton – DE, Robinson

Bryan Stinnie – DE, St. Anne’s-Belfield Committed to William & Mary

Shamarko Thomas – DB, Ocean Lakes Committed to Syracuse

Patrick Thompson – QB, Stone Bridge Committed to Wake Forest

Jack Tyler – LB, Oakton

Jay Weatherington – TE/OL, Woodbridge

Corby Weiss – WR/TE, Brookville

Tyrel Wilson – DE, Hampton Committed to Virginia Tech