The in-state 2010 class may not be as talented as the 2009 version, but at this point about 40 prospects have committed to FBS or FCS programs. More remain uncommitted but hold scholarship offers, so from an overall recruiting perspective this year is a solid one for college prospects. For the most part, the Pre-Summer list remains in tact with one significant change at the top of the list.
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The Top 5: Ego Ferguson moves into top spot…
A transfer out of St. John’s Catholic Prep in Frederick, Maryland, Ferguson transferred to Hargrave Military Academy in August. A true senior, he is suiting up for Robert Prunty’s postgraduate squad. At 6-4, 270 pounds, Ferguson is one of the top defensive ends in the country and has amassed scholarship offers from all across the country. Florida State, LSU, Miami, Oklahoma, Penn State, Southern Cal and Tennessee are included among the list of finalists for the big-time prospect.
“He’s a special player,” Prunty said.
A physical specimen, Ferguson is a rock-solid 270 pounds. He is also a terrific athlete and was used as a standup outside linebacker on occasion at St. John’s. He has the frame and athleticism of a college defensive end right now, and playing with and against a higher level of competition should only help his development.
Ferguson’s move to the state of Virginia supplants Oscar Smith quarterback Phillip Sims from the top spot in my list, though not by much. The 6-1, 210-pound signal caller has been a consistent performer on the varsity level since his freshman year. Steady and poised, Sims guided the Tigers to a Division 6 state title last season. Despite losing big-time contributors at wide receiver over the past few years, Sims has continued his production into this season.
Besides being poised in the pocket, Sims also possesses a strong, accurate arm. He’ll suit up for Nick Saban and the Alabama Crimson Tide on the college level.
6-4 wide receiver Justin Hunter has excellent speed and quickness but is a phenomenal overall athlete as well. The Ocean Lakes standout, number three in the PreSeason ranks, was crowned the VSHL AAA state champion in two outdoor track events – the long jump and the high jump – this spring. In addition, he boasts a vertical leap of 40-inches.
Not too many 6-4 receivers are big threats in the return game, but Hunter has returned punts for touchdowns each of the past two seasons. That speaks to his quickness and elusiveness as well as his speed, but his overall athletic package separates him from other wide receiver prospects.
Hunter has committed to LSU, while a pair of Virginia Tech commits round out the top five. Brookville defensive end Zack McCray and Fork Union offensive lineman Mark Shuman come in at four and five, respectively.
McCray, a 6-4, 235-pound senior, racked up 20 sacks last season as a junior, but with a great frame he should be able to do well against the rush and against the pass on the next level. He also has ability and upside as a tight end, but for now defensive end is where he’ll play.
The 6-6, 300-pound Shuman has the prototypical size and athleticism college coaches look for in an offensive lineman. The son of FUMA postgraduate head coach John Shuman and brother of former Virginia Tech standout offensive lineman Ryan Shuman , Mark also has a terrific pedigree. He looked sharp in preseason practice and is expected to have a big year at left offensive tackle.
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Other notes…
6-6, 300-pound Nick Acree suffered a torn ACL and will miss the entire season at Fork Union Military Academy. As a result, he dropped a couple of spots from the Pre-Summer ranks. There is no question that, assuming all goes well with his recovery, Acree still possesses a tremendous amount of potential on the next level. Playing at Fork Union, though, certainly would’ve been good for his development before heading to Virginia Tech.
King’s Fork linebacker/running back Dominique Patterson enters the top 30. At 6-1, 210-pounds, he has excellent speed, which he showed at Virginia Tech’s July camp. He’s also tough, playing most of last season with a broken wrist.
Commitment rundown…
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At #16, Conner Davis is UVa’s most highly ranked in-state recruit |
Of the 40 in-state prospects that have committed, 11 have committed to Virginia Tech. This includes 10 commitments from the in-state Top 30. UVa has three prospects from the state of Virginia and all three are in the Top 30. Duke is perhaps the biggest surprise with two of the Top 30 including one Top 10 prospect, though that prospect – Woodberry Forest LB/DE Aramide Olaniyan – is looking around at other schools.
Alabama, LSU, Louisville, Marshall, Maryland, North Carolina, Ohio, Penn State, Pitt, Temple, Wake Forest and West Virginia round out the other FBS programs with commitments from the Commonwealth. On the FCS level, the University of Richmond has done very well, capitalizing on its 2008 national title.
PreSeason Top 30
1. Ego Ferguson – DE, 6-4, 270 pounds, Hargrave Military Academy
Uncommitted
2. Phillip Sims – QB, 6-1, 210 pounds, Oscar Smith
Committed to Alabama
3. Justin Hunter – WR, 6-4, 185 pounds, Ocean Lakes
Committed to LSU
4. Zack McCray – DE, 6-4, 235 pounds, Brookville
Committed to Virginia Tech
5. Mark Shuman – OL, 6-6, 300 pounds, Fork Union Military Academy
Committed to Virginia Tech
6. Evan Hailes – DT, 6-1, 305 pounds, Oscar Smith
Committed to Penn State
7. Travis Williams – LB/S, 6-2, 190 pounds, Lake Taylor
Uncommitted
8. Nick Acree – DT, 6-6, 300 pounds, Fork Union Military Academy
Committed to Virginia Tech
9. Aramide Olaniyan – DE/LB, 6-2, 200 pounds, Woodberry Forest
Committed to Duke
10. Russell Bodine – OL, 6-4, 280 pounds, Fork Union Military Academy
Committed to North Carolina
11. Brian Laiti – LB, 6-3, 205 pounds, Robinson
Committed to Virginia Tech
12. Quinton Spain – OL, 6-5, 320 pounds, Petersburg
Committed to West Virginia
13. Nick Dew – LB/S, 6-2, 195 pounds, First Colonial
Uncommitted
14. Chase Williams – LB/TE, 6-3, 225 pounds, Loudoun County
Committed to Virginia Tech
15. Khamrone Kolb – OL, 6-6, 300 pounds, Lake Braddock
Uncommitted
16. Conner Davis – OL, 6-5, 270 pounds, Deep Run
Committed to Virginia
17. Derrick Hopkins – DT, 6-0, 285 pounds, Highland Springs
Committed to Virginia Tech
18. Andre Simmons – DB, 6-0, 195 pounds, South County
Uncommitted
19. T.J. Peeler – RB, 6-1, 200 pounds, Broad Run
Committed to Pitt
20. Caleb Farris – OL, 6-4, 300 pounds, Rockbridge County
Committed to Virginia Tech
21. Ed Reynolds II – S/LB, 6-3, 198 pounds, Woodberry Forest
Uncommitted
22. Marquis Wallace – OL, 6-3, 285 pounds, Varina
Committed to West Virginia
23. Tahrick Peak – LB, 6-2, 205 pounds, Pulaski County
Committed to Virginia Tech
24. Matt Arkema – OL, 6-3 1/2, 290 pounds, Midlothian
Committed to Virginia Tech
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25. Rijo Walker – CB, 5-11, 175 pounds, Bethel
Committed to Virginia
26. Duke Mosby – DT, 6-1, 270 pounds, Woodberry Forest
Committed to Wake Forest
27. Andre Coble – ATH, 5-11, 175 pounds, Meadowbrook
Uncommitted
28. Henry Coley – LB, 6-2, 230 pounds, Bayside
Committed to Virginia
29. Dominique Patterson – LB/RB, 6-1, 210 pounds, King’s Fork
Committed to Virginia Tech
30. Jamal Wallace – LB/DE, 6-3, 215 pounds, Green Run
Committed to Duke
Ones to watch
Nick Appel – OL, Bishop O’Connell Committed to North Carolina
Matthew Baptiste – LB, Ocean Lakes Committed to Richmond
Levi Barber – ATH, Edison
Joe Branch – ATH, Fork Union Military Academy
Andrew Brown – LB, Jefferson Forest Committed to Richmond
Aaron Clark – RB, St. Anne’s-Belfield
Andrew Cordasco – TE, Jamestown Committed to Richmond
Warren Denny – WR, Centreville
Zach Dunston – DB, Green Run
Ben Edwards – ATH, York Committed to Richmond
Taylor Evans – OL, Broad Run
Danny Fenyak – QB, Westfield
Adrian Flemming – WR/TE, Broad Run
Zach Glass – DL, Stuarts Draft
Jon Godfrey – S/LB, Ocean Lakes
Dominique Guinn-Bailey – LB/DE, Churchland
Jerel Harrison – WR, Varina
Deshawn Holmes – DB, Highland Springs Committed to Richmond
DreQuan Hoskey – DB, Henrico Committed to Richmond
Daryl Howell – LB, Hermitage
Cedric Johnson – ATH, Lakeland
Trey Johnson – RB, Varina Committed to West Virginia
Blake Jones – DE/LB, Hanover Committed to Ohio
Venson Jones – DT, Woodside
Chad Kolumber – OL, Woodberry Forest
Kyle Linn – ATH, Turner Ashby
Josh Lovell – JATH, Christchurch
Jake McGee – QB, Collegiate Committed to Richmond
Wes Moulton – DL, Ocean Lakes
Keevon Newsome – DE/LB, Churchland
Connor Reilly – QB, W.T. Woodson Committed to Temple
Bo Revell – QB, Battlefield
Chris Ragonesi – LB/DL, Courtland
Antonio Roane – ATH, West Point
Mike Rocco – QB, Liberty Christian Academy Committed to Louisville
Anthony Rose – ATH, Amherst
Mario Rowson – DB/WR, Lake Taylor Committed to Maryland
Jacob Ruby – TE/OL, Fork Union Military Academy
A.J. Scott – DL, Robert E Lee Committed to Marshall
Nick Sigmon – LB, Northside
Dejor Simmons – RB, Green Run
E.L. Smiling – WR/DB, Brooke Point Committed to Virginia Tech
Brandon Sparrow – DL, Liberty (Bedford)
Montel White – QB/ATH, Surry County Committed to Richmond
Zach Weller – LB/FB, Christiansburg
Jeremiah Wilson – ATH, Handley Committed to Maryland
Rashad Winston – DL, Highland Springs
