($$) While linemen like Andrew Brown get plenty of attention, the talent pool in The 757 doesn’t begin and end there. Ocean Lakes defensive tackle Derrick Nnadi (JR DT 6-3 300) is in the same stratosphere, despite not getting quite the same level of national attention. College coaches know what they’re looking for, and Nnadi is on the radar.
The 2013 NFL Draft starts tonight, and Ocean Lakes could be the first high school to have five players from the same high school selected in the same draft. That’s huge for a school that’s quickly becoming known as a breeding ground for top talent.
($$) Bethel lineman Ricky Walker has been the hottest recruit on the Peninsula this Spring. Walker is up to 15 offers now, and his latest is an endorsement of his academic prowess just as much as his athletic ability.
A year after what many considered one of the biggest snubs ever at The Nike Camp in Baltimore, Oscar Smith Defensive Lineman Andrew Brown got his redemption in Washington, DC on Sunday afternoon. Last year Brown did what many thought was nearly impossible to do, he beat one of the nation’s best offensive lineman repeatedly. This was not enough to earn an invite from Nike last year however. “I will not be denied next year”, a disappointed and motivated Brown said a year ago.
($$) Western Branch recruits are getting noticed. Just a few weeks after a visit, Daiquan Lawrence has picked up his first major offer. He’s gotten strong interest from Virginia Tech and an offer from Hampton University. Now he has his first offer from an ACC school locked in, but don’t count Tech out yet.
($$) Oscar Smith running back Deshawn McClease has hit another milestone. The player who bided his time as a back up to J.C. Coleman in his freshman year, and starred last year as a sophomore, has picked up his first college scholarship offer. McClease was a First Team All-District running back in 2012, and there are more good things to come.
($$) The Washington, D.C. NFTC (or Nike Football Training Camp) became yet another proving ground for the stars of The 757 on Sunday. Many came, some excelled, and four local athletes took home the gold. Three of our best from The 757 grabbed their invitations to Nike’s The Opening, and a fourth made a strong case for his inclusion.
In early March, the administration of Southampton County Schools ended their search for the next great coach and announced the hiring of Willie Gillus Jr. In doing so it brought back the hype of football to the athletes, the students and the community. Southampton has a long history of producing numerous college level stars and a few former NFL players, most recently Greg Scott. Since the 70’s Southampton county residents have been proud of their Indians football prowess. In the last decade they’ve seen their Indians struggle in mediocrity but with the hiring of Gillus, the war drums are beating once again.
On Thursday, Newport News Public Schools announced a new head coach for Warwick High School football. Bernard Griffin succeeds Juan Jackson, who coached the Raiders for four years and led them to the playoffs for three years in a row before a disappointing 2012 season.
($$) The Sunday afternoon session at Bethel saw the current sophomores come out of the woodwork to compete. These class of 2015 players are coming into their prime and preparing for what could be the most important football season of their recruitment.