Oscar Smith running back Marcus Smith is still working on his recruitment. In 2011, Marcus supported J.C. Coleman in the Tigers run toward their Division 6 State Championship. Last season, sophomore Dashawn McClease emerged as the go-to back while Marcus added carries and experience to the Tiger backfield.
Offensive lineman Jacob Mazgajewski sort of fell into Coach Jared Van Acker’s lap less than a year and a half ago. The 6-6 260 pounder transferred into Grafton in August 2011, after moving from Washington State. He has an Air Force parent who’s attached to Langley.
Lake Taylor running back Daquan Davis got his chance to shine in 2012. As part of the Titan running back tandem (including Brandon Moore) that tallied over 3000 yards in a State Championship season, Davis was sure to attract college attention.
Phoebus defensive end Mark Wilson has had a change of heart. Wilson committed to Old Dominion University in August as one of the latest Phantoms to feed the ODU football program. After an in-home visit on Wednesday, the Monarchs lost a top recruit.
In his junior season, Menchville place kicker Dillon Christopher was best known as the player that set the State Record with a 60-yard field goal. Christopher was getting recruiting attention from schools like Virginia Tech and Wisconsin, but scholarships are tough to come by for specialists. College interest ebbed and flowed, but Dillon had to continue to work.
Phoebus cornerback Robbie Robinson had a phenomenal freshman season for the Phantoms. The cornerback position is like being put out on an island sometimes, but the young man lived up to the challenge. His play got him selected for the Eastbay Youth All-American Bowl that pits the best ninth graders from the USA against a ninth grade Canadian National Team.
For the second time in two days, a Western Branch senior has committed to play his college ball at Alderson-Broaddus. Daquan Pittman was a transfer from Oscar Smith who fit well into the system at Western Branch and had an opportunity to shine. Now Pittman will be taking his game to the college level.
Gray Television Charlottesville reported earlier Monday that Bayside running back and UVA commit Taquan “Smoke” Mizzell was arrested early Sunday morning by a Charlottesville Police officer. Mizzell is now facing one charge of underage possession of alcohol.
Last season, while running back Josh Marriner was piling up yards, Donte Shepard played a support role. Both Bruin backs were productive, but Marriner got the majority of the carries and bolted downfield to a 2000+ yard rushing season. Shepard blocked when he had to, carried the ball when he had to, starred on defense, and supported his teammates every way he could.
It took a trip to the NSU campus to convince Cox lineman Gabe Hollins. Hollins camped all over last summer, including camps for James Madison, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest and Old Dominion. Gabe was the stud of the Falcons’ line in 2012, and the big man is staying close to home.
