COLLEGIATETIMES
wednesday february 4, 2009 blacksburg, va.
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sports HARRISON IS ACC TRACK PERFORMER OF THE WEEK With her performances at the Penn State National this past weekend, Tech’s Queen Harrison was named ACC Indoor Women’s Track and Field Performer of the Week. On Jan. 30, the junior captured the 60-meter hurdle and 400-meter dash titles, automatically qualifying her for the NCAA Indoor Championships in March. One day later, Harrison won the 400-meter dash with a time of 53.67 seconds. That mark is currently the third fastest in the nation, while her 8.02 clip in the 60-meter hurdles is the country’s second best.
news SMOKING BANS APPROVED, HEAD TO HOUSE The Virginia Senate approved several smoking ban bills yesterday, prohibiting smoking in most indoor public places, restaurants, bars, and lounges, and providing localities with the legal authority to ban smoking anywhere in their governing area. A House General Laws committee that has vetoed similar proposals in three consecutive years will now review the legislation.
CIGARETTE TAX BILL DISCARDED IN SENATE Legislation to double the state’s taxes on cigarettes was killed by the Senate Finance Committee yesterday. Gov. Kaine had proposed the plan to reduce part of Virginia’s budget shortfall in 2009. The revenue gained from the tax was estimated to be around $154 million, and would have been distributed into both the state’s health-care fund and to support Medicaid.
Lucky ‘13?
TABLE OF CONTENTS Tech Recruiting Overview......................................2 ACC Recruiting Overview.......................................4 National Recruiting Overview...............................6 Profile: Theron Norman .......................................6 Profile: Jerrodd Williams ......................................6
ON NATIONAL SIGNING DAY 2009, THE CLASS OF 2013 LOOKS ... TOUGH
Tech football recruit Telvion Clark is one of the top linebacker prospects in Virginia. Photo by The Virginian-Pilot
TELVION CLARK IS A STAR ON THE TRACK AND ON THE MAT. YET HIS IMPACT AT TECH WILL BE FELT ON THE GRIDIRON. JOE CRANDLEY
ct sports reporter Back in June, Telvion Clark — of Granby High School in Norfolk — made his decision to play football at Virginia Tech. Since then, Clark, a 6-foot-1-inch, 210-pound linebacker, has been improving his speed in preparation for the college game and even took up dominating on the mat in addition to the gridiron. Q: How difficult was the recruiting process for you? A: Well, it was pretty difficult, as you know it is a tough decision determining where you want to be the next four or five years. Ultimately, I pretty much had my mind made up. I looked into the schools, and I really took a look at the defenses and what they had to offer. Scholarship-wise and opportunity-wise Tech was the best fit for me. Q: Was there anything in particular about Virginia Tech that made you choose it over other schools? A: Virginia Tech – it was a perfect fit for me. It was like putting on a size 11 and you wear a size 11. I felt the whole family atmosphere. It was all a family type of environment. I didn’t feel
like I was on a business trip; it just felt like somewhere I could fit in for the next four of five years. Q: Did having a lot of players from Hampton Roads on the team factor into your decision? A: I really didn’t want to go to a college that was very far away, so that cut pretty much all the big time far-away colleges. I didn’t want to be that far. My goal was to find the best fit closest to me. Q: Have the coaches told you where you’re going to be playing in the fall? A: Inside linebacker. Q: You’re not going to have to switch to safety or anything like that? A: No — From what (defensive coordinator Bud Foster) told me so far, anyway. I know that subject can change, but so far what I’m getting is inside linebacker. Q: Are you planning on redshirting or do you plan on trying to play right away? A: Basically what he’s (Foster) telling me is that he doesn’t want me to redshirt, and that he wanted me to play right away. (Foster said) when I came here in my freshman year, basically I’d be battling for a spot. Q: So when you get there, you’re going to have a chance for immediate playing time? A: Exactly. Q: What do you plan on studying when you get here?
RILEY PRENDERGAST
ct news reporter
PARTLY CLOUDY high 27, low 20
corrections If you see something in today’s paper that needs to be corrected, please e-mail our public editor at publiceditor@collegiatetimes.com, or call 540.231.9865.
coming up TOMORROW’S CT Take a look at the General Assembly’s work on a bill to close the “gun show loophole.”
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Tech safety and fellow Hamtpon product) Kam Chancellor most of the summer, and I’m gonna do the same thing this summer more than likely. It’s usually Chancellor, Prince Parker, Vince (Hall) was with us last year, a few Hampton guys. It’s just a few of us that work out. Right now I’m wrestling though, I’m 22-0. Q: 22-0? Really? A: I’m ranked fifth or sixth in the state. I don’t really keep up with the ranks and all that. I know it’s 20-something though. Q: Is this something you’ve been doing throughout high school? A: Nah, it’s my first year wrestling. I just do it to stay in shape. It’s fun too, but it’s not something I want to pursue, but it’s something I do to stay in shape for the conditioning. Q: Do you have a certain goal in the offseason? Maybe putting on weight or something like that? A: Not really. My goal is (to weigh) maybe 215 or 220 pounds. I really want to keep my mobility and my speed. I really don’t want to gain a lot of weight and then be a 4.6 guy. I think my speed is an asset I can bring to the table where I can be helpful in some type of way, if not starting then at least coverage back or at the very least special teams. Q: Where’s your weight right now? A: It’s around 209, 210. Q: Is that down because of wrestling? A: Yeah, wrestling did make me lose a couple of pounds. It makes you more fit, gives you more of a natural weight.
Center links 21 law enforcement groups
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A: I want to major in business management. I want to minor in computer applications - like visual communications. That’s partially why I chose Tech because they have a very good graduation rate. It is a lot of support. It’s a great support system. It basically creates an atmosphere or an environment where it’s hard for you to fail, and that’s the kind of place I want to be. Q: How would you describe yourself as a linebacker? A: I’m smaller obviously, but a lot faster, a lot quicker. I’m a mobile linebacker. I can move left to right, I have very loose hips. I’d be a great coverage linebacker; I can stop the run from sideline to sideline. I do have a nose for the football. Q: What is your 40 time right now? A: I’ve actually got it down. I went up to camp and ran a 4.47, and then I came back down home and it went down to 4.43 consistently, and then it recently went to a 4.4 flat, 4.39 consistently.” Q: How long ago did you run a 4.4 flat? A: I did it three weeks ago, but I did it consistently. Q: Was this on Virginia Tech’s track? A: No, it was back home. Q: Are you nervous at all about moving away? A: Everybody gets that homesickness, and everybody gets that anxiety being away from home and your family and friends. I think the adjustment to that I’m going to be capable of making. Not easy, but doable. Q: Have you started preparing for the fall at all as far as conditioning? A: Last summer I worked with (Virginia
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An independent, student-run newspaper serving the Virginia Tech community since 1903 105th year • issue 121 DANIEL LIN/SPPS
On what strangely resembled a dining hall tray, students took to the steep slopes near Owens Dining Hall yesterday evening in honor of the wintery mix.
The Virginia State Police have opened a new center in Salem to help link 21 different state and federal public safety agencies in order to allow them to handle emergencies more efficiently. These agencies range from the state police force to the DMV and State Fire Marshals. The new system is nicknamed STARS. “We’re switching radio systems; STARS is our new system. It stands for Statewide Agencies Radio System,” said Sgt. Bob Carpentieri. “Until now, we weren’t able to talk with everyone; this new system will allow us to expand to different channels of communication.” The STARS Communication Center is based out of the Salem Division VI headquarters and was opened on December 18, though the plan for the system was first formulated in July 2004. The new $329 million system was created in the hopes of breaking down barriers between different sectors of emergency response agencies. “It was started in Richmond at our headquarters,” said Carpentieri. “We wanted a state of the art radio system that would allow us to respond to a lot of different things ... (and) eliminate officer safety issues.” Information can be sent instantly to any part of the system. “If an officer is in pursuit, they can instantly find the information about the vehicle instead of waiting for a dispatcher,” said Carpentieri. The project to create STARS was initiated after a contract was agreed upon between the Commonwealth of Virginia and Motorola. Virginia is one of the first states to use an Integrated Voice and Data concept, which allows for both voice and computer communication. STARS was set as a replacement for the 30-year-old radio system, SERS, or State
Emergency Radio System. Allowing for faster responses to major emergencies became a top priority after the shootings of April 16, 2007. “The system was in the works before April 16, but it hadn’t been completed,” said Carpentieri. “It would have been better to have had it then, but we’re glad it’s up now.” The system has yet to be called into a major emergency, though the campus was alerted of a murder in the Graduate Life Center two weeks ago. The Virginia Tech Police Department handled the GLC situation in its entirety. “They didn’t really involve us in that incident. We had one special agent that was sent out to aid in the investigation, but that’s really it,” said Carpentieri. Had it not been an isolated incident, the Blacksburg Police Department along with the VTPD would only have had to switch into the system and alert the entire state police and emergency response force. The Blacksburg and Virginia Tech Police departments will not be part of the network at all times. The State Police are the only police force that will constantly be logged into the system. “We have our own inner operability system that is not dependent on STARS,” said VTPD Chief Tom Foster. “Based on my understanding, it’s still a work in progress, but our system allows us to communicate with emergency agencies along with the State Police.” “It makes sense in terms of the value of it,” said university spokesman Mark Owczarski. “It makes sense in terms of the community.” With the system in its early stages, without having full access to all of the agencies, departments such as the VT Police are waiting to see the system up and running. “In terms of enhanced efficiency, we are going to wait until it is fully operational,” said Foster, “But it will hopefully link state agencies and in terms of responding to emergencies it will be great.”
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editor: caleb fleming email: nrvnews@collegiatetimes.com phone: 540.231.9865 office hours: tth 2 p.m. - 4 p.m.
february 4, 2009
Tech football recruiting overview BRIAN WRIGHT
ct sports editor National Signing Day has rapidly grown in popularity. As the first day for highly-touted high school football prospects to sign a National Letter of Intent to play collegiate football, it is a time when fans and experts can find out what teams have done in rebuilding for the future of their respective programs. Tech football has more than 20 players who have made commitments to play in Blacksburg. Ranked as the No. 20 recruiting class, according to ESPN, the Hokies are set to bring in soon-tobe freshmen who could see significant playing time by the regular season commences in late August.
QUARTERBACKS With soon-to-be junior Tyrod Taylor well entrenched as the starting quarterback for the next two seasons, it seems as if the Hokies didn’t exactly need to focus on this position area. One guy who could potentially take snaps is Antone Exum, who played quarterback at Deep Run High School in Glen Allen. Exum visited Blacksburg on Dec. 12 and committed to Tech just over two weeks later. The Hokies were unable to land two other signal callers — Kevin Newsome, a dual-threat quarterback from Hargrave Military Academy, and Bryn Renner, a pro-style quarterback from West Springfield. However, they did pick up walk-on Will Cole, a winner of the Kennedy Award for the best player in West Virginia.
RUNNING BACKS One would think that this position area is also in good shape. But after this year’s supposed recruiting class comes in, Tech will have more horses in its running back stable than a Kentucky Derby field. Already stocked with a potential thoroughbred in Darren Evans and with redshirt freshman Ryan Williams waiting in the wings, the Hokies are poised to add David Wilson — rated the No. 1 running back prospect in Virginia by Rivals. WILSON After accumulating over 1,500 yards rushing in his junior season at George Washington High School in Danville, Wilson topped it, eclipsing the 2,000yard plateau. He also broke his own single-game yardage record this past fall with 349 yards on 23 carries to go
along with three touchdowns. Wilson’s speed could be a fine compliment to Evans’ power. He ran a 4.4 40-yard dash and was a first team all-district and all-region track star. Joining Wilson will be local Nubian Peak from Pulaski County. Peak was the Offensive Player of the Year in the River Ridge District as his team finished 2008 with a 12-1 record. Fork Union Military Academy should produce a pair of commitments — one of them being Tony Gregory. The 6’, 178-pound Gregory enrolled at Tech for the spring semester.
RECEIVERS One of the top tight end prospects in the nation is blue-chip recruit Logan Thomas. And his physical attributes are remarkable: 6’6”, 233 pounds and a 4.65 40-yard dash. Thomas is one of the fastest tight ends in this year’s class and visited Blacksburg this past weekend. He could see himself on the Lane Stadium field as a receiver in short order. Although the Hokies had success landing players in-state, they also did a fine job getting players from South Carolina. One of them was Tyrell Edwards from B e n n e tt s v i l l e. THOMAS After committing to Tech in early August, Edwards de-committed, bringing North Carolina State into consideration. Finally, on Christmas Day, he made a full pledge to play for the orange and maroon. Edwards is expected to grayshirt — which means he will take fewer than 12 credits in the fall and fully enroll in January of 2010. Aside from Gregory, another Fork Union player that may play is D.J. Coles, originally from Goochland High. The Hokies have also made a pitch for speedy wideoutJustinBrown,fromWilmington, Del., but it appears as if his interests lie with either Rutgers or Penn State.
OFFENSIVE LINE Bassett’s Andrew Miller pledged to Tech in June 2008 over Wake Forest, Virginia and Florida State. Praised for his athleticism, he is a two-sport star who MILLER will likely play one year with the wrestling team. The 6’5” Miller will be joined by 6’6” tackle Kory Gough. On Tech’s
radar was Morgan Moses, who will announce his ultimate decision today. His three finalists are Virginia, North Carolina and Tennessee. Tech also made an offer to the five-star mammoth 6’8”, 335-pounder Bobby Massie from Hargrave Military Academy. However, Massie appears to be favoring Alabama, Ole Miss, Miami or the Tar Heels.
DEFENSIVE LINE One of the most recent pick-ups – and a significant one as well – is Lanford Collins from Stafford. Collins is ranked No. 21 among defensive ends by ESPN and chose the Hokies over his other finalists — Virginia and Penn State. Richmond’s Duan Perez-Means will accompany him along with Hampton’s James Gayle. Both made strong verbal commitments last RHODES July. As for the tackles, DeAntre Rhodes and David Wang are both three-star in-state recruits. Clinton Simpkins is a defensive end who is considering Tech along with West Virginia, Kentucky, East Carolina and North Carolina State among others. He is only 215 pounds and will need to bulk up before playing on the Division I level.
LINEBACKERS Tyrell’s twin brother Tariq may be grayshirting as well and could enroll next January. After recording 81 tackles in his junior season at Marlboro County High School, Edwards was a second team all-state selection in 2008. Tyrell and Tariq’s father, Bo Campbell, played receiver at Tech from 1988 to 1991. Another prospect from the Palmetto State giving the Hokies consideration is Quinn McClendon. With Purnell Sturdivant EDWARDS and Brett Warren gone, there may be room for a true freshman on next season’s roster. The player with the best chance to earn a spot is Telvion Clark from Norfolk. A noted outside linebacker, Clark had well over 100 tackles in his final two high school campaigns. Lastly, Oakton’s Jack Tyler will come to Blacksburg as a walk-on.
SECONDARY A big void will be left by departing cornerback Victor “Macho” Harris. Stephan Virgil will likely step into his spot, but a number of others are vying for playing time in ’09. Early commit Jerrodd Williams had a stellar senior season, well after the Hokies became the first team to give him an offer. James Hopper is all but set to sign, while Hermitage’s Theron Norman pledged to Tech over last summer. Both Hopper and Norman made recent visits, as did Jayron Hosley. The still-undecided Delray Beach, Fla., native is one of two highly touted prospects who are still considering — the other being safety Tevin McCaskill. Tech looks to be in competition with South Florida for landing Hosley. He recorded 37 tackles and picked off five passes in his senior season and scored five touchdowns on special teams. McCaskill, also from the Sunshine State, is in more hot pursuit from ACC foe Miami and defending national champion Florida.
SPECIAL TEAMS With Dustin Keys graduating, the Hokies will be seeking yet another replacement at place kicker. Cody Journell should be in the mix come ummertime. JOURNELL sThe Pearisburg native will try to continue the Hokies’ succession of solid kicking success. Journell verbally committed on June 8 of last year. On Tuesday, Tech picked up long snapper Ethan Dickerson from Christiansburg.
ATHLETES This category is reserved for prospects who have the ability to play multiple positions. Top-commit Logan Thomas, although mainly a tight end, could also be a multi-dimensional player. The Lynchburg native can line up at quarterback and H-back to augment his talents as a pass catcher. In addition to being behind center at Deep Run, Exum — one of the premiere athletes in the commonwealth — was also a member of the team’s secondary. The 6’, 198-pound recruit intercepted three passes at the safety position in 2008. Norman could play sooner rather than later — much due in part to his versatility. He has the most potential to start out at wide receiver, because of team needs, but he could also line up at safety.
editor: sara mitchell email: universitynews@collegiatetimes.com phone: 540.231.9865 office hours: mw 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Recruits innovate to remain eligible CHUCK CARLTON
dallas morning news AUSTIN, Texas — For Adam Ulatoski, one workout too many put him in a gray area. Determined to get in the best shape possible for the start of his career at Texas, Ulatoski attacked the weight room at Dallas Southlake Carroll following the 2003 season. Then he felt a distinct, painful “pop” in his back while weight training. The injury introduced him to “grayshirting,” a term that has become part of college football’s vocabulary in the last decade. A grayshirt describes an athlete who graduates from high school in the spring, sits out the fall term, then enrolls the following spring. The reasons can vary from a major injury to academic qualifying issues to a recruiting class that exceeds the 25-scholarship limit. Expect to hear the phrase as college coaches discuss their recruiting classes Wednesday on national signing day. “It’s a tremendous advantage (for the player), based on maturity and the opportunity to get stronger,” Texas offensive coordinator Greg Davis said. The Longhorns have used grayshirting sparingly. Ulatoski and Tony Hills, a rookie offensive lineman with the Pittsburgh Steelers, were two Texas players who benefited from grayshirting. The NCAA recognizes the practice but never mentions grayshirting in any official document or manual, according to its media relations department. The name itself dates to the 1990s and gained more prominence recently. John Parker Wilson, Alabama’s starting quarterback during an undefeated regular season, began his career as a grayshirt. So did Todd Boeckman, who quarterbacked Ohio State to two national title game appearances. Texas Tech effectively used grayshirting with receiver Lyle Leong and tight end Adam James, who combined for 32 catches this season. “It has to be the right kid,” Tech defensive coordinator Ruffin McNeill said. “Some kids understand the fact that grayshirting is not necessarily a negative thing. A school’s initial scholarship limit has been filled, but you’d still love to have them with that class. “The kids we have grayshirted, it’s worked well.”
SMU coach June Jones estimated he had a handful of grayshirts on his 2007 Hawaii team that crashed the Bowl Championship Series. “Depending on the situation it’s almost always in the best interest of the athlete,” Jones said. “It happens for different reasons. At Hawaii, it was an overabundance at a certain position.” At SMU, emerging offensive linemen Josh Emshoff has thrived after grayshirting because of a shoulder injury, bulking up from 260 to 290. While Jones believes quarterback development can be aided by grayshirting, the position that probably benefits most is the offensive line. Players use the time to prepare and mature for what they’ll face in college. Tvhink of it as a boys-to-men transformation. In Ulatoski’s case, he really didn’t have a choice. He learned he wouldn’t be able to play or even practice as a freshman at Texas because of the back injury. So he delayed enrollment until January after talking with the coaching staff. Ulatoski discovered that grayshirting was initially more difficult than he thought. “I was a senior in high school, and everybody remembers how excited they were going into college,” Ulatoski said. “Then I found out, wait, I can’t. It was kind of a shock to me that way that I was ready and it just kind of fell through.” Besides rehabbing his back, he spent the semester as a volunteer JV coach at Carroll, took a community college class and watched a lot of the Discovery and History channels. He wondered about his friends, nearly all of whom had gone away to college. A 3.9 student in high school, he missed the classroom. “The hardest part was trying to find my niche when everybody else had theirs when I came in,” Ulatoski said. “I think it was a really good decision for me because I wouldn’t be playing this (upcoming) year. I would have burned my redshirt season not getting any better.” The longest semester of his career seems a lot shorter. “If you’re a younger guy who is thinking about it and if you have an opportunity to go somewhere and all you have do is wait one semester, I would say do it,” Ulatoski said. “It’s one semester for the rest of your life.”
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editor: laurel colella, david mcilroy email: opinionseditor@collegiatetimes.com phone: 540.231.9865 office hours: mw 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
february 4, 2009
Civil Right No. 1 The following editorial appeared in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch on Friday, Jan. 30. When the Rev. Joseph Lowery delivered the benediction at President Barack Obama’s inauguration, he wore the joyful expression of a man vindicated after a lifetime of struggle. Lowery, as a Methodist minister in Mobile, Ala., helped to lead the Montgomery bus boycott in the aftermath of Rosa Parks’ arrest in 1955. He was a partner of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in the creation of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference — one of the strongest, clearest voices of the civil rights movement — and served as its president for 20 years. Many factors brought the nation to the day when Lowery was able to stand before a world audience to celebrate the election of a black man as president of the United States. But no single factor hastened that historic day more than the Voting Rights Act of 1965. The act added teeth to the postCivil War constitutional amendment that prohibited denial of voting rights “on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.” It forbade state and local governments from imposing any kind of discriminatory voting requirement or policy. Dr. King considered voting rights “Civil Right No. 1,” calling it “the foundation stone for political action,” and surest means to racial equality. Civil Right No. 1 is under attack. This term, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear a challenge of a legal provision that requires nine states, most of them in the South, and some local jurisdictions with histories of discriminatory practices to obtain “pre-clearance” from the U.S. Department of Justice for any proposed changes to their election systems. The changes requiring pre-clearance could be as broad as redrawing election district lines or as narrow as changing voting machine locations. The protection was designed to force jurisdictions with checkered voting-rights histories to explain their proposed actions before making changes. By placing the burden
of proving compliance on local elections officials, the law relieves aggrieved voters from having to file a lawsuit to correct violations after the fact. In 2006, just days after Congress extended the Voting Rights Act, a municipal utility district in Texas filed suit challenging the constitutionality of the pre-clearance requirement. The district had been formed in the 1980s. It never has been accused of discrimination, but it is subject to the pre-clearance requirement because Texas is one of nine states covered by the requirement. The utility district claimed that Congress exceeded its power by imposing the pre-clearance requirement too broadly, particularly given that the utility district had no record of previous discrimination. That is a potent argument. But the Justice Department still regularly finds violations of the Voting Act in many jurisdictions. Rules allow many kinds of jurisdictions to be freed from the pre-clearance requirement if they prove no discrimination occurred for 10 years, but the rules don’t apply in the narrow case of the public utility district. In short, by striking down the pre-clearance requirement in this narrow instance, the Supreme Court also might strike down a valuable protection that still is needed broadly. Such a decision would entail the court substituting its judgment for that of legislative bodies, the kind of “legislating from the bench” that conservatives and conservative judges claim to abhor. The justices also should consider Dr. King’s advice on what’s needed to uphold Civil Right No. 1: “You cannot depend upon American institutions to function without pressure. Any real change in the status quo depends on continued creative action to sharpen the conscience of the nation and establish a climate in which even the most recalcitrant elements are forced to admit that change is necessary.” For more than four decades, the Voting Rights Act has served to sharpen the nation’s conscience. There is no reason now to blunt its force.
Dealing with the inevitable: six more weeks of winter Today when I went to class it was a cool 50 degrees. I grabbed a light jacket instead of my regular winter coat that I’ve been LIZA told resembles a Yeti. MILLER By the time I regular left campus, the columnist temperature had easily dropped 15 degrees and snow flurries were filling the sky. The snow hadn’t begun to stick, thank goodness, but the wind that made its way through my jacket was enough to make me want to hibernate until July. If the groundhog Punxsutawney Phil is right, and the presence of his shadow on Monday really means that spring is still six more weeks away, I’m not so sure I will make it. Like birthday parties, dressing in theme outfits and roller-skating, enjoying snow is really a thing of the past. I know not everyone agrees with me on the matter; there is still that voice in class that announces whenever snow appears with the enthusiasm of one who would dive instantly to the ground to make a snow angel. I envy those who see snow and think of all the fun activities that come with it: snowball fights, sledding, building snowmen. Instead, I have images of scraping snow off my car, wet jeans and that dirty snow that accumulates on the side of the road. I hate to sound like a Scrooge, but unless I am going to miss school, go skiing or it is Christmas
morning, I really would not mind if it never snowed again. In my four years at Virginia Tech, I have only been excused from class due to snow once. Bah Humbug. In fact, snow aside, I would be just as content if it never reached below 50 degrees as a general rule. In my mind, global warming really can’t come soon enough. Blacksburg’s wedged position between the mountains does not lend itself well to my hatred of cold weather. I very well knew what I was getting myself into when I came to Tech, and the warm qualities of campus far outweigh the cold. It is always around this time of year that I feel like I have forgotten what it was like to be warm. In between classes I seriously consider investing in a sensible pair of footie-pajamas to wear underneath my clothes. Oh how I took for granted the days where I could walk outside without letting my hair fully dry, a simpler time when I could walk across the parking lot without needing to keep an eye out for black ice. My nose and toes are perpetually frozen, but I somehow manage to sweat underneath my layers the second I enter a building. It is with this feeling of cold despair that I watched the famous groundhog of Punxsutawney, Pa., emerge to see if his shadow is visible. An absence of a shadow on a cloudy day means that the winter would soon be over, while the presence of a shadow means that another six weeks must be endured before spring shows its warm face. Forget the Super Bowl, this is my
face off. The battle between shadows: Winter vs. Spring was where the real competition could be found. As if I had placed a heavy wager, I watched in anticipation as the shadow emerged. I lost the bet and winter prevailed. Six more weeks feels like an eternity, and all I can do is crank up my heat and think warm thoughts. Surely, Blacksburg must be in a realm of its own when predicting winter. Blacksburg is notorious for its unpredictability when it comes to matters of temperature. It can be freezing rain one day and sunny weather the next. Blacksburg must be out of Punxsutawney Phil’s jurisdiction. For those of you who are as disheartened as I at the idea of six more weeks of winter, you might be happy that I did a little Groundhog Day research of my own. While walking through campus and into downtown, I passed three Hokie Bird statues. There was not a single shadow cast by any of them. I didn’t stop to examine for long as the wind was whipping flurries in my face, and I had to keep moving for fear of hypothermia, but there was definitely no shadow in sight. I know Punxsutawney Phil’s prediction carries more weight across the country, but I prefer to rely on local advice. If we do have to endure six more weeks of winter, at least remember that the sixth week will be spring break, and whether or not the temperature will be raised, at least our spirits will be. Take that, Phil.
Last week was a tough week for our basketball team. We were so close to accomplishing something very special and creating separation in the ACC. I can’t tell you how much I appreciated your support for the Clemson game. The atmosphere was electric and our players responded. You stayed with us right to the end, and our players and staff appreciate your effort. When you play in the No. 1 league in college basketball, the next game is the most important. We have a huge game Sunday against NCSU. This game gives
us an opportunity to be 5-3 in the first half of ACC play. That would be an accomplishment and position us for a run at the NCAA Tournament! We need you now more than ever. You need to be ready to go at tip-off! Early afternoon games are most of the time won by the team that is the most ready. I am counting on you. We need you early to set the tone and create the atmosphere and energy! Please make sure to have our team on your social calendar as we take on the Wolfpack. Together we can accomplish great things! Seth Greenberg Men’s Head Basketball Coach
Pro-choice movement ultimately hurts women’s rights The pro-choice movement is not what it purports to be. I will begin this column by putting forth the claim that women are the real victims of their own “abortion rights.” I will also submit that this is no fault of their own, and I am not suggesting women cannot handle choosing their lifestyle. The issue is the facts, which are not being made clear at best, and actively hidden at worst. Pro-choice advocates declare that women are empowered by the “right to choose” (of course a ridiculously vague term that has won out in the vocabulary of abortion speech). But are women truly empowered? Are women made fully aware of the repercussions of abortions? Did you know that an abortion is the only surgical procedure in which the physician is not required to tell the patient of the full risks involved with the surgery? Did you know that abortion clinics are the only medical facilities not subject to normal health and cleanliness standards? Did you know just in America, abortion is a $500 million a year business … and worldwide it is a $10 billion business annually? Yet our government still gives abortion providers, such as Planned Parenthood, boatloads of
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money … why? They make enormous — no, obscene — profits already. But for a moment, forget such appalling things and just track with me. Our society, particularly the prochoice movement, says that abortion rights are absolutely necessary to equal rights for women. Many have even said that abortion rights are the “cornerstone” of equal rights for women. Let’s take an honest look at what this says. We tell women, “Sure, you can be equal, but you might require an invasive surgery that will have physical and emotional consequences to do so.” Is this our pathetic attempt at equal rights for women? It’s insulting. Women will always be treated as second-class citizens if we say that medical surgery is their only chance to be equal. We currently force women to sacrifice pregnancy and motherhood for equality, therefore forcing pregnancy and motherhood to adapt to the society we’ve established. What we should do is adapt our society to pregnancy and motherhood, not the other way around! Do you see the difference? Pregnancy and motherhood should be an option for women if they so desire, without them having to sacrifice careers and equal rights. Women should have the choice of doing whatever with their life they so please. If that includes both motherhood and
a career, so be it; if it means neither, so be it. This is every woman’s choice. But the “right” to abortion has created this forced choice; it is unfair and unequal. You either choose to forego pregnancy and motherhood or you forego career options, life options and equal rights. Women’s rights? Is this “pro-choice”? I don’t think so. Ironically, the “pro-choice” movement would have you believe that they are all about choice. Yet they frame the issue as if abortion is nearly always the correct, intelligent, sensible or the only choice. Planned Parenthood is supposedly a counseling organization. How can they be expected to fairly and compassionately council young, pregnant women when they are making millions off of abortion procedures every year? It is an absurd thought, the height of corruption and exploitation. Not to mention many Planned Parenthood employees have admitted that they were instructed to “sell” abortions to young women. Planned Parenthood is financially dependent on teen pregnancy and abortion, yet we decide to trust them on measures of preventing teen pregnancy and providing good, objective council to young, pregnant women. Are we serious? And of course, we hear to no end that abortion rights are necessary because it is up to women and
women alone what to do with their own bodies. There are roughly one and a half million abortions every year in the U.S. Well tell me, if we care oh so much about women, how can we turn a blind eye to the fact that roughly 750,000 pre-born women are killed by abortion every year? Scientifically, gender is decided at conception. Funny … those 750,000 women (every year) didn’t get to decide what to do with their bodies. Listen, people are not allowed to do whatever they want with their own bodies when that action negatively affects another person. The fetus has a heartbeat and brainwaves in the first few weeks; it is scientifically alive. Its DNA is separate from the mother’s. An abortion ends the life. This is a very simple concept. Studies have consistently shown that abroad, far more female babies are aborted than male babies, especially in places like China. How are unbridled abortion rights good for women in any sense? If Planned Parenthood and other abortion organizations are really so in love with “choice,” why do they consistently fight against measures to educate women about adoption and all the medical facts concerning an abortion that would enable the woman to make a more informed choice? Why do they desperately fight
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against measures to show women their ultrasounds that would help them make a more informed choice? Why do they stubbornly fight against efforts to have the parents of minors involved in the decision of whether or not to abort? All of these things would help a woman choose, would help them make a more informed, better choice. So why is the prochoice movement so opposed to all of these measures? You tell me. So many say that this is a women’s issue, that abortion rights are for the benefit of women and are mostly supported by women. That is considered the truth, but when one looks at real statistics, the facts are much different. The most consistent “pro-choice” group of Americans is young, white, single men. As well, the majority of pro-life workers, volunteers and protesters are women — by far in fact. This should tell you something. So consider what abortion rights have really done to our country and to our culture. They have restricted women in their choices and in their self-worth. Abortion has created a culture of death and abuse for children, exploitation and destruction for women, and irresponsibility and corruption for men. Again, I love you and care about how we live as a society. Please consider.
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editor: thomas emerick, brian wright email: sportseditor@collegiatetimes.com phone: 540.231.9865 office hours: w 12:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.; t 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
february 4, 2009
Miami, Florida State and UNC stockpiling talent ROGER GONZALEZ
ct sports staff writer While waiting for the frosty weather to pass by, several sports fans are focused on the middle of the ACC basketball season. Many are witnessing Malcolm Delaney’s rise to stardom, the revitalization of Wake Forest under Dino Gaudio and the fade of Maryland’s relevance, but there are some who aren’t focused on ACC hoops. Many fans have turned their attention to the next football season. Scores of dedicated ACC fans have let 2008 go and are now focused on the 2009 campaign. Even though there are many months until the official kickoff of the first game, Signing Day is here. Many ACC teams have already received significant commitments, but which teams received an infusion of talent that can help right away? Which teams may have failed to improve? Only time will tell, but there is something known for sure — several schools have picked up quality prospects to begin building or continue building their programs. ATLANTIC DIVISION Boston College (9-5, 5-3 in ACC): It has been well documented that recruiting in New England is nothing easy. For a team going through what Boston College is going through, the prospect of making it to the ACC Championship for the third straight year does not look great. After firing Jeff Jagodzinski for interviewing for the New York Jets job, BC named Frank Spaziani as their new head coach. Spaziani will inherit a mediocre class in his first year. The Eagles’ class is lead by Dillon Quinn (DT — 6’6”, 295 lbs) from New York. Quinn, ranked as a a fourstar recruit by the recruiting network Rivals.com, is slated in as the number 10 defensive tackle in this year’s class. Boston College has also picked up a few quality three-star linebackers. Two three-star running backs are in BC’s class also — Roland Finch (5’10”, 204 lbs) and Sterlin Phifer (5’11”, 205 lbs) — but with the emergence of Montel Harris last year (179 carries for 900 yards), it may take a little while for them to get quality touches. Florida State (9-4, 5-3 ACC): Bobby Bowden signed a one-year
deal and is ready to roll in 2009. The Seminoles have the 13th best class in the nation this season, highlighted by a monster DT. Five-star stud Jacobbi McDaniel (6’, 267 lbs) from Greenville, Fla., is the 15th best player in the country. FSU has also picked up four-star prospects at many positions (defensive end, wide receiver, running back, linebacker). With wide receiver Greg Carr heading to the NFL, Rodney Smith might be the answer down the road. Bowden’s boys do have some decent receivers, but Smith is a guy to look out for. With monstrous size (6’6”, 202 lbs), he is another addition to a very good redzone offense. With quarterback Christian Ponder having a quality year under his belt, the Seminoles will certainly pose a threat to everyone in the ACC. The big question will be who will carry the load at running back. Lonnie Pryor (6’1”, 195 lbs) and Chris Thompson (5’8”, 173 lbs) are both four-star signees from Florida who may get some carries, along holdover Jermaine Thomas (69 carries for 482 yards last season). FSU has also picked up fine recruits on the offensive line and in the defensive backfield. With defensive end Everett Brown leaving for the NFL, the defense may not be as powerful as last year. They will need someone to get to the QB (Brown finished with 14 sacks last season) and someone to replace safety Myron Rolle. Bowden may have the players to bring FSU back to national prominence. Maryland (8-5, 4-4 ACC): The Terps have picked up five commitments from four-star prospects: RB D.J. Adams (5’10”, 210 lbs) from Norcross, Ga., and four homegrown recruits — DE DeOnte Arnett (6’4”, 243 lbs), DB Travis Hawkins (5’10”, 181 lbs), DE David Mackall (6’3”, 240 lbs) and RB Caleb Porzel (5’9” 170 lbs). With Da’Rel Scott evolving into one of the top backs in the ACC, Maryland is going to need someone to come through at the wide receiver position to replace Darrius HeywardBey, who bolted for the NFL, and Chris Turner must be more consistent throwing the ball. With a quality class coming in, the future looks decent for the kids in College Park — that is, of course, unless they get into another tough match with the football titans at
Middle Tennessee State. Wake Forest (8-5, 4-4 ACC): A decent class is headed to WinstonSalem in 2009. Wake has some quality kids coming in at almost every position, including two three-star linebackers — Daniel Mack (6’, 196 lbs) from Miami and Justin Jackson (6’1”, 212 lbs) from Rockingham, N.C. The Deacons will look to improve in the trenches and may have grabbed a couple guys to do just that. After allowing 29 sacks on Riley Skinner and their young running back duo averaging less than four yards a carry, the Deacons need help in the offensive backfield. Devin Bolling (6’5”, 270 lbs) from Lynchburg and Whit Barnes (6’4”, 270 lbs) from Rocky Mount, N.C., are both offensive linemen who should make contributions down the road. Clemson (7-6, 4-4 ACC): Clemson seemed to have everything entering last season. The Tigers had a high ranking, the preseason pick for player of the year in Cullen Harper, two electric backs in James Davis and C.J. Spiller, a star wide out in Aaron Kelly, a top-15 recruiting class and a defense that was in the top 20 nationally. Many may think this equals success, whether it’s an ACC Championship or a shot at the national title. But after losing to Alabama in the season opener, the Tigers were never the same — failing to meet expectations. Clemson will now look to some new faces to help it reach its goal of making it to the ACC Championship and beyond. The elite new faces will get to learn from some of the best. With defensive ends Dequan Bowers and Ricky Sapp in combined with two four-star ends in this year’s class — DE Leon Mackey (6’6”, 250 lbs) and DE Malliciah Goodman (6’4”, 255 lbs) — the Tigers might not remember Gaines Adams and Phillip Merring in a few years. The Tigers have also replenished their defense with three quality linebackers. The big catch in Clemson’s class is a pro-style QB from Phoebus High in Hampton. Tajh Boyd, who is ranked the third best prospect in Virginia, de-committed from West Virginia and Tennessee before settling on Clemson. At 6’ and 208 pounds, he does not have the height of a typical pro-style QB, but after earning coMVP at the U.S. Army All-American
Bowl, Boyd showed that he has what it takes to become a star in the ACC. NC State (6-7, 4-4 ACC): What quarterback Russell Wilson did last year was truly amazing, leading State while tossing 17 touchdowns and only one interception. Now Tom O’Brien will look to add to the Wolfpack’s firepower. NC State has the 10th ranked class in the ACC and not too many highly touted players to be ecstatic about. Wilson was only a two-star coming out of Richmond; has coach O’Brien found another diamond in the rough? The Wolfpack has a well-rounded class with nine offensive players, 14 defensive players, three athletes and a kicker. Eight three-star prospects on the defensive line are headed to Raleigh and three on the O-line. The player to keep an eye on is DB Jarvis Byrd (5’10”, 173 lbs) from Pahokee, Fla. He is the 31st best corner in the class and a four-star prospect that NC State was able to steal from FSU. A physical corner with good speed, he will look to help NC State improve on their defensive rating from last year (84th nationally). COASTAL DIVISION Georgia Tech (9-4, 5-3 ACC): An amazing season last year for the Yellow Jackets has other teams in the ACC fearing that they may be even better next year. The duo of QB Josh Nesbitt and ACC Player of the Year Jonathan Dwyer will lead Tech next season. The talented recruits coming in will look to do the same in the future. Entering his second year, Paul Johnson has recruited the state of Georgia very well. Fourteen of 21 recruits are from the Peach State. Finishing 25th nationally in defense last year, Georgia Tech brings in some solid players on the defensive line and defensive backfield. The best may be massive DT J.C. Lanier (6’3”, 335 lbs). A powerful lineman with a great first step, issues have come up about him controlling his weight. If Lanier can do so, he may cause havoc in the ACC. GT has also picked up three threestar offensive linemen to help out a team that rushed over 600 times last season. North Carolina (8-5, 4-4 ACC): Butch Davis just keeps reeling in top recruit after top recruit. The feeling in Chapel Hill as of late is that the hometown Heels may soon be controlling the ACC. With the sixth best class in the nation heading to UNC, the expected success may come sooner rather than later. One five-star recruit, DE Donte Moss (6’4”, 235 lbs) will pair with Marvin Austin on the line. With Hakeem Nicks preparing for April’s NFL Draft, North Carolina may have found his replacement in WR Jheranie Boyd (6’2”, 184 lbs) from Gastonia, N.C. Boyd is a tremendous athlete with terrific speed and exceptional jump-
FERNANDO SALAZAR/THE WICHITA EAGLE
While running back Bryce Brown of Wichita, Kan., has verbally committed to Miami, rumors abound that he may still sign with Oregon. ing ability. Boyd is one of the 13 four-star recruits Coach Davis has landed including two on the O-line, defensive backfield and LB core. UNC also landed a very good QB in four-star Bryn Renner (6’3”, 192 lbs) from West Springfield, Va. Renner may not see the field for a while however, sitting behind T.J. Yates, Cameron Sexton and Mike Paulus. Miami (7-6, 4-4 ACC): The ’Canes eighth-ranked class is highlighted by a player who many consider to be the best, RB Bryce Brown (6’, 215 lbs) from Wichita, Kan. The talented back is the guy who can bring The U back to the national stage. Brown leads a class that is loaded at running back, offensive line and defenisve line. Brown’s verbal is considered “soft.” We will see whether he actually ends up in Miami. Head coach Randy Shannon has done a fairly decent job recruiting the Miami area and has also reached out to the north of Florida to land some great players. Brandon Washington (6’5”, 330 lbs) from New York is a massive lineman who will protect the QB for years. Virginia (5-7, 3-5 ACC): The grumbling has already begun in Charlottesville. With a new offensive coordinator, a new quarterback and star players leaving, it’s going to be interesting to see the Cavs in ’09. UVa’s ’09 class is loaded with threestars, mainly on the O- and D-lines. In a class with not many big players,
the most exciting may be Dominique Wallace. At 6’1” and 231 lbs, the running back from Fredericksburg is a massive back who should be a nice addition, especially if Mikell Simpson returns to his form from two years ago. The Wahoos also picked up a very skilled receiver in Tim Smith (6’, 182 lbs) from Chesapeake. Though undersized, Smith will look to contribute to a team that has been lacking a solid wide receiving core for a quite a while. We shall see how this mediocre class turns out, especially since the brilliant classes Al Groh had early on did not amount to much ACC success. Duke (4-8, 1-7 ACC): The Blue Devils are developing into a decent program under David Cutcliffe. After earning four wins last year, Duke is bringing in two four-star recruits along with 13 three-stars. Desmond Scott (5’9”, 185 lbs) is ranked as the fifth-best all-purpose running back in the class. The quick back from Durham decided to stay home instead of going to Florida, Georgia or other elite programs. Another fantastic prospect for Duke is four-star DT John Drew (6’1”, 303 lbs) from Columbus, Ga. The Blue Devils also landed Tyree Watkins (6’2”, 185 lbs) from Camden, N.J., and Connor Vernon (6’1”, 179 lbs) from Miami who are both threestar wide receivers who may develop into a quick duo for the Blue Devils in the coming years.
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editor: thomas emerick, brian wright email: sportseditor@collegiatetimes.com phone: 540.231.9865 office hours: w 12:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.; t 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
february 4, 2009
Powerhouses look to reload MATT COSTELLO
ct sports staff writer Here’s a look at how some of the top programs in college football performed on the recruiting trails. Louisiana State: The Tigers of LSU have the No. 1 overall recruiting class according to both Rivals and ESPN’s rankings. Despite a somewhat disappointing 2008 football season that saw the Tigers finish 8-5 overall, head coach Les Miles has dominated the offseason by capturing nine high school athletes ranked within the ESPN Top 150. He’ll try to keep local talent Rueben Randle in the state. The wide receiver is widely regarded as the best at his position. The three elite recruits retrieved by the Tigers include the No. 1-rated athlete prospect overall, Russell Shepard, safety Craig Loston and defensive tackle Joshua Downs. Southern California: Noted recruiter Pete Carroll has delivered yet another top five class for the Trojans. Quarterback Matt Barkley, the top-ranked overall prospect in the nation by both ESPN and Rivals, headlines this stellar group. The Trojans were able to snag nine commitments from players ranked within the ESPN Top 150. On the defensive side of the ball, the Trojans received a pledge from the No.1-rated inside linebacker in Vontaze Burfict who will look for playing time next season as the Trojans lost all three starting linebackers to graduation. USC may also get some good news Wednesday if outside linebacker Manti Te’o makes his announcement to play in Los Angeles. Florida: The defending national champions continued their success into the offseason by claiming a total of eight players ranked within the ESPN Top 150 and 16 players total. With the loss of Percy Harvin to the NFL Draft, standout recruit Andre Debose will look to fill the void along with speedy receiver Nu’Keese Richardson. Marsalis Teague, from Paris, Tenn., has the athletic versatility to play
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both cornerback and wide receiver. Defensive end Gary Brown gave a solid verbal commitment last March 5. In addition, the Gators appear to be the favorites to land Jelani Jenkins, an outside linebacker from Wheaton, Md. Florida and Penn State appear to be the finalists for his services. Alabama: After being thoroughly embarrassed by the Utah Utes in the Sugar Bowl, head coach Nick Saban has revived the Crimson Tide nation with a top10 recruiting class in both ESPN and Rivals rankings. Despite only getting five players ranked in the ESPN Top 150, the Tide’s class is deep with 23 total commits. After the loss of starting tailback Glen Coffee to the NFL, top recruit Trent Richardson will step in and fill some playing time in Tuscaloosa, as he is ranked by ESPN as the No.1 tailback in the country. Their solid defense could be bolstered if cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick, from Gadsen, Ala., chooses the Tide. He will make his final call on Wednesday. Ohio State: The Ohio State Buckeyes dominated the Big Ten Conference in recruiting this off-season by claiming 25 prospects overall, seven ranked in the ESPN Top 150. The headline prospect in the class is running back Jaamal Berry, whom they hauled away from the state of Florida. Berry is not the lone big recruit taken from the Sunshine State. The Buckeyes landed a big play receiver in Duron Carter, son of the all-time great NFL receiver and former Buckeye Cris Carter. Texas: Following the dramatic victory over the Buckeyes in the Fiesta Bowl, head coach Mack Brown has worked his recruiting magic yet again to secure a top-five class ranking by both ESPN and Rivals. The Longhorns dominated the in-state recruiting trail by securing big time players such as offensive linemen Mason Walters, quarterback Garrett Gilbert and sixfoot-three-inch running back Chris Whaley. Gilbert is the No. 2 ranked quarterback in the country and will look to fill the shoes of Colt McCoy after his graduation next season.
Cornerback hopes for early playing time ED LUPIEN
ct sports reporter Every winter, hundreds of high school recruits mull over the decision of the college with which to further their playing careers. For cornerback Jerrodd Williams, the decision was easy. “Tech was really the only school I was ever serious about,” Williams said. “It was a good fit for me. At the time they recruited me, I was a twostar. I visited the campus and really liked it and the school’s academics.” This comes as quite a surprise to many considering Williams played his high school ball at D.W. Daniel in Central, S.C. — less than five miles away from ACC rival Clemson. But Williams said that even though he’s grown up close to the university, he was never a fan of the Tigers, instead cheering for the Georgia Bulldogs, the Miami Hurricanes and, in more recent years, the Hokies. “A lot of people give me a rough time and joke with me for never liking or wanting to go there,” Williams said of Clemson, a school that did show interest in the cornerback. Now a four-star prospect on Rivals and ranked as the 31st best cornerback in the nation by Scouts, Williams hopes to have an immediate impact for Tech, claiming that the coaches are open to him playing in 2009. “I expect to play this season,” Williams said. “They’ve told me if I learn the playbook, they’ll put me out there.” Williams also believes he can be an asset to the Hokies in a number of ways, not just in defensive schemes. “I played a lot of special teams in high school, and I want to try to be the return guy for Tech,” Williams said. During his senior season, Williams averaged 26 yards on kick returns and 16 yards per punt return. He
SEFTON IPOCK/ANDERSON INDEPENDENT-MAIL
Cornerback Jerrodd Williams (right) fights for control during a South Carolina high school playoff game. also found the end zone twice last season as a returner. He produced these numbers coming off a junior season in which he averaged 44 yards per kick return and scored four touchdowns. With a 40-yard time of 4.45 seconds, Williams has already proven that he has the speed for such a role and said that he occasionally speaks with a former Tech cornerback who handled the return duties for the past two seasons, Victor “Macho” Harris. “He and I talk from time to time,” Williams said. “He’s really nice and has given me a few pointers on what to expect.” One thing Williams is anticipating is the atmosphere of Lane Stadium. Having attended both the Georgia Tech and Virginia games last season, Williams said he’s not intimidated by the loudness or the size of the stadium. “It’s just noisy, that’s all,” Williams said. “But it’s like that at most stadiums. It’s just a part of college football.” Williams will try to be next in the line of a plethora of great cornerbacks who have donned the maroon and
orange over the years. In addition to his speed, the Hokies are getting a defensive back who is said to have great leaping skills and long-arm extension. As a cornerback, Williams recorded 68 tackles and four interceptions in his junior season. Last year, Williams broke up 10 passes and intercepted three more for D.W. Daniel. Of course, there are also areas for improvement and Williams will be the first to admit them. “Backpedaling is one thing I still need to work at,” Williams said. “That and thinking on my heels are definitely aspects of my game that I will continue to get better.” But Williams is a fast learner, according to his high school coach. “One of his biggest weaknesses coming into his senior season was his ball skills,” Randy Robinson said. “But he improved so much at it that by the time the season ended, it became one of his strengths.” Robinson has known Williams for a number of years and said he could tell that he had a special player on his hands from a very early age.
“I first saw Jerrodd when he was 12 years old in a little league football game,” Robinson said. “I noticed that there was something there and saw that he had talent. As the years progressed, he continued to get better. By his freshman year of high school, he was already making contributions on our varsity team.” Added to Williams’ talents on the field are his skills off of it. Although his commitment to Tech is all but finalized, Williams says that it is easy to remain focused on his studies during his final months of high school. “I’ve never had any trouble with him,” Robinson said of Williams. “I told Virginia Tech when they recruited him that they were getting a quality all-around kid who will take his academics seriously along with football.” Whether he will ever produce the numbers that will earn him first-team All-American honors remains to be seen, but Williams’ contributions to Hokie football in 2009, in any aspect of the game, will be appreciated.
Norman is latest Hermitage Hokie RYAN TRAPP
ct sports staff writer Virginia Tech football dipped their hands into Hermitage High School’s successful program once again when they received a commitment from safety Theron Norman to play for the Hokies. Norman was recruited heavily within the ACC and also received offers to play for the University of Connecticut as well as Syracuse. However, after one visit to Tech’s campus, it all just seemed to click. “When I came up for an unofficial visit, it just felt like home,” Norman said. “The coaches and players had a huge impact on my decision.” The 6’3”, 190-pound athlete verbally committed to Tech last July along with high school teammate and potential defensive end Duan Perez-Means. The Richmond native brings his size and remarkable playmaking ability to both sides of the ball and provides versatility on the field. “His overall skill level is exceptional,” said Hermitage head coach Patrick Kane. “The skill paired with his height really makes him a valuable player, especially at defensive back.” Norman’s junior season was more than enough to impress the Hokie scouts. Playing in his second full season on varsity, he returned as starting free safety and played wide receiver on offense. In 13 games, Norman was able to rack up 30 receptions, four of which were touchdowns. The tenacious defender also wrapped up 32 tackles and pulled down three interceptions. Norman is just the latest addition to
EVA RUSSO/RICHMOND TIMES-DISPATCH
Theron Norman, playing quarterback for Hermitage High School, tries to escape the grasp of a Meadowbrook High School defender on Sept. 12, 2008. Norman gave a verbal commitment to play for the Hokies last July. a reputable list of Hermitage football players to continue their careers at Tech — a list that includes former offensive lineman Duane Brown, currently with the Houston Texans. “Knowing the success our school has had in sending players to Tech definitely sets a level of expectations I feel like I need to meet,” Norman said. He won’t have to face those expectations alone, however. At Tech, he’ll be reunited with former teammate and current redshirt freshman quarterback Joseph “Ju-Ju” Clayton, along with Alonzo Tweety.
“Knowing people going in makes it a little easier to transition from high school to college,” Kane said. “He’ll have people he can go to and relate with already there.” His size and work ethic set him up to have an immediate impression on the team. “He’s always working hard and looking to better himself as a player,” said Clayton, a longtime friend of Norman. “I think he could have an impact on special teams and could be used as a true freshman.” Norman hopes to be able to prove
himself to the coaches and work his way up to be a key contributor in the Hokies’ secondary. “I really want to play free safety,” Norman said. “I love to play defense, and I think I would be a really good fit at the safety position.” And as off-season training gets underway, Norman and the team is looking to build on its Orange Bowl win. “I knew in coming here, I’ll be given the opportunity to win,” Norman said. “I’m looking forward to helping this team make a shot at a national championship.”