BLUE CHIP REPORT: Northern Virginia Edition
Chantilly's Andrew Crawford and Isaac Sine pose for a photo after making their college decisions recently. Sine will play for Marist College, while Crawford will walk-on at BYU.
Photo By: Helene Shain / Gameday Magazine
Stone Bridge's Michael Prince accepted a preferred walk-on opportunity at JMU this week. He becomes the 12th player for Stone Bridge to join a college football roster next fall.
Photo By: Marc Gold / Gameday Magazine
After scoring 23 touchdowns as a junior, Sherando's Roger Smith Jr. should be on the radar of college coaches when the upcoming junior recruiting period opens in May. Smith should get even more carries this fall without quarterback Ross Metheny around.
Photo By: Tim Barlow / Gameday Magazine
DULLES, VA - Three of the area's finest football players from last fall have decided on where they will play next fall. We start with Isaac Sine, who was a two time All Gameday linebacker and offensive lineman. Sine starred for the Chantilly Chargers over the past two seasons and after much deliberation, he will take his talents to Marist College next season.
Sine helped lead Chantilly to two regional championship appearances and 3 straight playoff appearances as a starter for head coach Mike Lalli on both sides of the ball. Sine recorded 108 unassisted tackles this past fall, 7 sacks, and 12 tackles for a loss as a senior.
Sine's play on the offensive line helped teammate Torrian Pace lead the area in rushing with 2,608 yards from scrimmage.
Chantilly's Crawford Accepts BYU Roster Spot:
Playing alongside Sine was teammate Andrew Crawford. The mammoth Crawford received interest from various Division 1A and 1AA programs, and decided to accept a preferred walk-on opportunity to play for BYU next fall.
Crawford was a dominant run blocker for Lalli's offense that predominately utilized the ground game. With Crawford plowing ground ahead of tailbacks like Pace and former standouts Antonio Cross and Bugsy Urrutia, the Chargers compiled a record of 17-7 the past two seasons with two playoff appearances. Crawford's big frame gives him a chance at playing time at BYU early in his career.
Stone Bridge's Prince Heads To JMU:
Last month, the Stone Bridge Bulldogs celebrated as 11 of their graduating seniors moved on to college football. Well, add one more now. Senior wide receiver Michael Prince accepted a preferred walk-on to JMU on Tuesday and will play for the Dukes next fall.
Prince made a name for himself early in the 2008 season, scoring 4 touchdowns against West Springfield in the first game of the year. He finished with 18 total touchdowns on the season and helped lead Stone Bridge to their 5th regional title in the last 7 years.
Prince also plays baseball for the Bulldogs and is currently the starting right fielder for the defending Liberty District champions. Head Coach Mickey Thompson said he was happy to see Prince get a chance to play at the next level.
"This was a great thing for Michael because he really wanted to go there," said Thompson. "As soon as we received the call today, he accepted their offer and was really excited about it."
Class Of 2010 Notebook:
As the college coaches dive into spring practice, the recruiting period for next year's seniors is just around the corner in May. We've already seen Broad Run's T.J Peeler (Pitt, WVU) and Loudoun County's Chase Williams (WVU, SMU, New Mexico State) receive offers from several major college football programs, but who are the other stars of the class of 2010? Here's a look at who should be on the radar after outstanding junior seasons.
Danny Fenyak - Quarterback (2010)
Westfield High School
Fenyak threw for 19 touchdowns in his first season behind center for Tom Verbanic's Westfield Bulldogs. It was supposed to be a rebuilding year, but with Fenyak's development at quarterback, Westfield made the playoffs again and nearly advanced to another regional championship game. Fenyak is 6'4 and has a good arm, but with continued work in the weight room and some more experience this fall, he should be an attractive prospect for Division 1A and Division 1AA programs. Westfield has a history of putting out major college quarterbacks, and we should see another one in February of 2010.
Adrian Flemming - Wide Receiver (2010)
Broad Run High School
Flemming is not a burner at receiver, but he catches everything and has a frame that college coaches love. At 6'4, he is physical and has room to add weight at the next level. He reminds me a lot of Adrian Tracy, who played tight end for Potomac Falls a few years ago, and now stars at defensive end for William and Mary. Very similar athletic ability and speed, and I think Flemming can move to a defensive end position or tight end in college. Depending on how his senior year goes, he could receive a big offer a year from now.
Roger Smith Jr. - Tailback (2010)
Sherando High School
Smith ran for 23 touchdowns in his first year as a starter for Bill Hall's Sherando Warriors this past fall. He is explosive, and a tough inside runner between the tackles. Across town Jeremiah Wilson recently committed to Maryland to play corner, but he reminds me a lot of Wilson as a tailback. He can run away from the defense, and with another year in the weight room, he should be even better this fall. I think the college coaches will see Smith on Friday nights in the first few weeks of the season, and interest will pick up immensely with how he performs.
Taylor Evans - Offensive Lineman (2010)
Broad Run High School
With Peeler and Flemming garnering plenty of attention already from college coaches, the beneficiary may be Spartan offensive lineman Taylor Evans. Evans is a big boy with the size to play at minimum, guard at the next level. His play last fall was a big reason Broad Run was able to capture its first state championship in school history. Evans is in the weight room working hard to improve his strength, quickness, and more importantly, he is hungry for more success in 2009. Evans was a first time starter in 2008, and after another off-season and full season of playing, he could tweak the interest of college programs looking for a big body to anchor their line. The fact that most college programs are looking closely at two of his teammates on film will be a huge advantage for Evans. He will most likely be a guard in college in my opinion at 6'3, and he could be a steal for a major college program. His best football is yet to come, and those who watch Broad Run will see that this fall.
Brian Laiti - Linebacker (2010)
Robinson High School
Laiti is big and physical and has the speed to chase down tailbacks sideline to sideline. Head Coach Mark Bendorf has coached major college football players during his tenure at Robinson, and he believes Laiti is a special player. I agree after watching him several times in 2008. He can add another 20lbs to his 6'4 frame in college, and he should be the area's finest linebacker this fall. His greatest strength might be his toughness.
Andre Simmons - Safety (2010)
South County High School
Simmons is a big time prospect for the Stallions and head coach Pete Bendorf at safety. He has received offers from Virginia, West Virginia, Illinois, and is being recruited by several more major programs across the country. He's 6'1 195lbs and runs a 4.5 (40) yard dash, and along with his stellar athletic ability, holds a 3.6 grade point average. He is physical, and his size and speed have college coaches highly interested in landing the standout defensive back.
