Western Branch linebacker William Thompson took his time figuring out his college destination. He could have signed with his teammates on National Signing Day, but he held out. Working out his commitment was a long process, but his patience paid off.
The Silverbacks football program hasn’t been mining The 757 for talent for long, but they’re already striking a chord with local coaches and recruits who are looking for an opportunity. Attached to Greenville Tech Community College in South Carolina, the Silverbacks are starting to pull players out of the area, and that’s a good thing according to Western Branch Assistant Coach Jarome Bell.
($$) Most fans of high school football are well aware of the four and five star players that are grabbing the headlines in the offseason. Sunday’s National Underclassmen Combine gave us a glimpse at players who are fighting hard for bigger opportunities this fall. Here’s a look at the MVPs and the players that performed well.
Justice Chapman hopes for any chance to further his education. Barring any unforeseen changes, the rising senior will once again try to lead his Dukes teammates to wins. A win for Chapman will be any opportunity to further his education and improve his future. Planning to major in criminal justice or business, Chapman hopes to get out of Windsor and have a good career as a law enforcement officer or business manager.
($$) Events like Sunday’s National Underclassmen Combine at Bethel High School give us a great chance to see tomorrow’s stars as they rise in a competition setting. Some of the best in an event that includes seventh, eighth, and ninth graders are players that haven’t even seen a high school football field yet. We got a glimpse of the future, and of course, the future is bright for football in The 757.
For players like Bruton quarterback Bilal Wallace, the hard work is finally starting to pay off. The labor is far from done however. Wallace missed most of his sophomore season with an injury, then struggled with consistency in his junior season. At 6-3 180, he looks the part of college prospect, and he’s shown glimmers of brilliance. Bilal needs to make the final push that will earn him offers. That’s likely to come during camp season, meanwhile, he’s making as many visits as he can, in order to get noticed.
Phoebus defensive end Harry Lewis is a young star on the rise. While the Phantoms garner a lot of attention as a program, Harry has been quietly picking up college attention as a rising junior who’s been a varsity level talent since the eighth grade. Harry is finally coming into his own, and he won’t be a well kept secret much longer.
At the beginning of the week, Menchville Head Coach Melvin Moore announced his resignation as coach of the football program there. After two seasons and and 5-15 record, Moore leaves the program without a next destination planned. Coach Moore’s passion for building a great football program will now move on.
Two college stops in two days makes for one busy weekend. That was the case when Lake Taylor cornerback Nhyre Quinerly (SO DB 5-11 185) and Salem wideout Trevon Hill (SO WR 6-3 185) made a stop at Hampton University on Friday and Virginia Tech on Saturday.
Nansemond River wide receiver Marvin Branch, Jr. has had a great junior year. For the Warriors football team, Branch won All-District Honors and almost led his team to the playoffs. Marvin also starred for the Nansemond River basketball team. That versatility is attractive to college coaches. That’s why Marvin’s recruitment is starting to heat up.
