Archive: September 2007
A Look At Maryland's Quarterbacks
Here's an interesting take on Maryland, its quarterback problems and whether Ralph Friedgen should shoulder the blame. I think there are some valid points here, especially looking back at the Fridge's ability to churn out talented players like Joe Hamilton at Georgia Tech. However, I think there are two other...
By Josh Barr | September 28, 2007; 12:42 PM ET | Comments (2)
Hokies Lose Freshman Guard
The interesting offseason continues for the Virginia Tech basketball team as freshman guard Darrion Pellum - already enrolled in fall semester classes in Blacksburg - had an SAT score that was rejected by the NCAA Clearinghouse and was ruled a nonqualifier, meaning he can never play at an ACC school....
By Josh Barr | September 28, 2007; 10:42 AM ET | Email a Comment
U-Va. Lands Hoops Recruit
Virginia's basketball team yesterday picked up its first recruit for next fall. Sylven Landesburg, a 6-6 guard from Queens, N.Y. said it was hard to say no to the local school, St. John's. He also was considering Georgia Tech and had offers from Kentucky and Texas....
By Josh Barr | September 28, 2007; 8:56 AM ET | Email a Comment
Must Read For Any Recruits
This isn't about recruiting. But I think it's a must-read for any recruits, their parents and their handlers. If I were guessing, I'd venture to say that at least half of the high school football players who think they're going to play in college take some type of supplement. The...
By Josh Barr | September 26, 2007; 10:16 AM ET | Email a Comment
O'Connell Center Could Make Choice Soon
Two O'Connell basketball players have already announced their college intentions and don't be surprised if a third does before the start of practice. Center Frank Ben-Eze, a Nigerian with one year of high school basketball under his belt, has taken official visits to Virginia Tech and Marquette as well an...
By Josh Barr | September 25, 2007; 8:30 AM ET | Comments (5)
Barber Plans to Take Some Visits
Edison standout senior Ben Barber - who is playing quarterback for the Eagles but being recruited as a wide receiver - says he doesn't have any campus visits scheduled but anticipates taking some in the near future. Barber holds scholarship offers from Maryland, Virginia and Virginia Tech and says he...
By Josh Barr | September 24, 2007; 9:56 AM ET | Email a Comment
Hokies, Cavs Hoops Notes
Man About Roanoke Doug Doughty says Bob Gibbons believes Virginia Tech picked up a solid recruit in forward Victor Davila. Gibbons also thinks Virginia eventually will get a commitment from center John Brandenburg. Sylven Landesburg, who has already taken a visit to Charlottesville, is set to pick this week between...
By Josh Barr | September 24, 2007; 9:29 AM ET | Email a Comment
More On Terps/Jennings
Here's more on Terrence Jennings backing off his commitment to Maryland, which came as a complete "surprise" to his high school coach. There's plenty of speculation today about the real story behind this news, from whether Jennings' ability to get into Maryland played a role to whether opposing schools have...
By Josh Barr | September 21, 2007; 11:46 AM ET | Comments (22)
Terps' Top Hoops Recruit Wavering
Uh oh. Maryland fans aren't going to be happy about this one. Scout.com is reporting that Terrence Jennings, the standout power forward who committed to the Terps over the summer, now says he wants to take another look at other schools....
By Josh Barr | September 20, 2007; 4:29 PM ET | Email a Comment
Thomas To Terps?
It seems possible, according to Friendly offensive coordinator Marcus Berry. Friendly standout running back Lamaar Thomas took an official visit to Maryland this past weekend and is headed to Ohio State for an official visit this weekend, Berry said. Thomas plans to visit Illinois the weekend after that and could...
By Josh Barr | September 20, 2007; 1:57 PM ET | Email a Comment
UNC Investigating Possible Recruiting Violations
While North Carolina picked up a verbal commitment yesterday from O'Connell guard Kendall Marshall, it remains to be seen whether Chicago-area guard Iman Shumpert also picks the Tar Heels. The school is investigating possible recruiting violations concerning Shumpert after he told a Web site that he played pickup basketball with...
By Josh Barr | September 20, 2007; 10:51 AM ET | Email a Comment
Vaccaro Now a Hot Commodity
Here's an interesting yarn about a guy who used to be heavily involved in the recruiting circuit. Now that he's retired from the shoe company business, Sonny Vaccaro is in demand on the speaking circuit. He spoke at Harvard Law School yesterday and is scheduled to be at Maryland next...
By Josh Barr | September 20, 2007; 10:31 AM ET | Email a Comment
Marshall Talks About Picking UNC
Just got off the phone with O'Connell sophomore guard Kendall Marshall, who this afternoon announced he has accepted a scholarship to play basketball for North Carolina. "Carolina has always been a dream school of mine," Marshall said. "It's always been a dream of mine to go there. Getting an offer...
By Josh Barr | September 19, 2007; 4:38 PM ET | Comments (1)
Wootten Talks About Marshall's Timing
O'Connell Coach Joe Wootten said that sophomore Kendall Marshall decided to make a choice so early in high school career because he felt strongly about the choice. "If you asked them in the spring before recruiting heated up, I don't think they had any intention of this," Wootten said. "As...
By Josh Barr | September 19, 2007; 3:22 PM ET | Email a Comment
Marshall Picks UNC
O'Connell sophomore guard Kendall Marshall announced he has accepted a scholarship to play for North Carolina. I'll have more in a few minutes......
By Josh Barr | September 19, 2007; 3:09 PM ET | Email a Comment
Star Sophomore Set to Announce
O'Connell sophomore guard Kendall Marshall, who first made A1 of The Post at age 11, today will announce his college decision. Knights Coach Joe Wootten said Marshall will pick between North Carolina, Georgetown and Villanova. Am I the only one to think this is just another example of the recruiting...
By Josh Barr | September 19, 2007; 10:33 AM ET | Email a Comment
Little Hoya Heading North
Georgetown Prep guard Garvey Young has committed to play basketball at Vermont, where he'll play for former Catholic University head coach and Maryland assistant coach Mike Lonergan. Young led the Little Hoyas in scoring last season, averaging 14.8 points per game last season. "It was the best overall fit," said...
By Josh Barr | September 18, 2007; 5:18 PM ET | Email a Comment
Hokies Get Hoops Recruit
Virginia Tech's basketball team has picked up a recruit from the senior class. Puerto Rican native Victor Davila is a 6-8 forward who chose the Hokies over Wake Forest, Clemson, Iowa State and Charlotte....
By Josh Barr | September 18, 2007; 1:10 PM ET | Email a Comment
Maryland Chasing Thomas
As for Maryland and its recruiting efforts, Coach Ralph Friedgen and most of his staff were in attendance Saturday to see Friendly beat Forestville, 32-12. Friendly running back Lamaar Thomas, who holds three dozen scholarship offers, caught a touchdown pass, returned an interception for a touchdown and rushed for 71...
By Josh Barr | September 17, 2007; 11:33 AM ET | Email a Comment
Hokies Running Away With In-State Recruiting
Okay, back in business after a week off and there's plenty to blog about. But this item should provoke thought among local football fans. Man About Roanoke Doug Doughty has an early version of his list of the top prospects in Virginia. Virginia Beach quarterback E.J. Manuel, who has committed...
By Josh Barr | September 17, 2007; 8:39 AM ET | Email a Comment
Gilchrist Gets Release, What's Next?
Augustus Gilchrist has been given a release from his letter-of-intent by Virginia Tech and now can start trying to figure out his future plans. It ought to be interesting to see how things work out. Gilchrist had planned to go to prep school and applied to one high school as...
By Josh Barr | September 7, 2007; 10:02 AM ET | Comments (5)
Gilchrist Working Out, Hoping to Enroll in January?
Much was made about Augustus Gilchrist's decision not to follow through on his letter-of-intent to play basketball for Virginia Tech, saying he wanted to go to a prep school this fall. Instead, however, Gilchrist is working out five days a week with a personal trainer, has asked for a release...
By Josh Barr | September 5, 2007; 12:58 PM ET | Comments (2)
U-Va. Hoping to Go Big
Virginia's football team could use plenty of help, but it's the basketball team that is hoping for a big pickup this weekend when St. Louis center John Brandenburg comes to campus for an official visit. He is expected to decide between Stanford and Virginia....
By Josh Barr | September 5, 2007; 9:33 AM ET | Email a Comment
A Cool New Feature
It's been in the works for a while and apparently has come to fruition. When The Post sends a photographer to a game now, the photog can create a gallery of pictures from the event. I hope it goes over well -- I think anyone who takes a look will...
By Josh Barr | September 4, 2007; 1:38 PM ET | Comments (1)
Weekend Wrapup, Part II
According to the Gainesville Sun, Friendly All-Met Joe Haden is the first freshman ever to start a season opener at cornerback for the Florida Gators. As for some more lightly-recruited former local players, how about Gonzaga alum Joey Haynos, who has blossomed from one-time walk-onto standout tight end....
By Josh Barr | September 4, 2007; 12:36 PM ET | Email a Comment
Stone Bridge Lineman Picks Hokies
As anticipated after speaking with Stone Bridge Coach Mickey Thompson last month, junior tackle Ed Wang has committed to Virginia Tech. His older brother, Ed, already plays for the Hokies....
By Josh Barr | September 4, 2007; 11:06 AM ET | Comments (1)
Former All-Met Surfaces in the Midwest
It shouldn't be surprising that former Robinson All-Met linebacker Olu Hall has transferred to Kansas State after being ruled academically ineligible at Virginia. K-State rookie coach Ron Prince was the offensive coordinator at Virginia last season. The Wildcats nearly beat Auburn this past weekend before losing 23-13....
By Josh Barr | September 4, 2007; 10:27 AM ET | Email a Comment
Top Team Makes Clubs Off Limits
While the Memphis basketball team already has three commitments for next season, any other aspiring Tigers should know that nightclubs are off limits for team members after two players allegedly were involved in a near-brawl with police this past weekend....
By Josh Barr | September 4, 2007; 10:23 AM ET | Email a Comment
Weekend Wrapup, Part I
Weekend roundup, part one. Plenty of last season's top local players are getting a chance to play as college freshmen. All-Met wide receiver Arrelious Benn caught five passes for 74 yards for Illinois in its loss to Missouri. Redshirt freshman Eddie McGee, from H.D. Woodson, took over at quarterback for...
By Josh Barr | September 4, 2007; 9:56 AM ET | Comments (1)
