There aren’t many changes from the Pre-Summer Top 30 to the Preseason Top 30, but there are a few. The Top 10, led by Maury offensive tackle Vinston Painter in the #1 spot, remains the same, however, heading into what promises to be an interesting 2007 season.
The two movers from the Pre-Summer list are Bobby Massie, a 6-7, 330-pound OL/DL out of Liberty Christian, and Allen Stephens, a 6-1, 240-pound linebacker out of Halifax County. Massie moves from #22 to #12 after impressive camp performances. Massie, who is considering Clemson, Georgia, UNC and Virginia Tech, could continue to rise with a good senior season, as he has excellent potential with his combination of size and speed.
Stephens is a tough, strong, productive linebacker. Physically, he is very impressive, and he moves well for his size. He should be a nice pickup for Virginia Tech, which is where he committed to earlier this summer. Stephens moves into the top 20 at #17.
As stated above, there are no changes within the top 10. But, as always, senior seasons will be key in the Postseason Top 30 slotting. This is especially the case with this class. For instance, can Bayside’s E.J. Manuel’s outstanding combine performances translate to better production on the field? How will the wide receivers (Walker, Coles, Davis, Roberts, Boykins, Harrelson) perform? The 2007 season should be fun to watch.
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Commitments…
The trend of prospects making early commitments continues, as 20 of the Top 30 have already made their pledges. Virginia Tech has received 12 commitments. Florida State, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, N.C. State, Virginia and West Virginia each have one commitment. Four of the top seven prospects have yet to commit.
Virginia Tech has obviously had excellent success so far. Thirteen prospects from within the Commonwealth have committed to the Hokies, including six of the Top 20. Right now, the Hokies are considered the favorite or one of the favorites for the following prospects within the Top 30: Painter, RB Ryan Williams, WR Marcus Davis, OL/DL Bobby Massie, DL Antoine Hopkins and WR Ben Barber. At least three of these players – Painter, Williams and Hopkins – are expected in Blacksburg tomorrow for the season opener versus East Carolina.
Bottom-line, Tech is in great shape to land another very, very strong crop of in-state recruits. In fact, this could end up being one of Virginia Tech’s best in-state hauls in the program’s history.
1. Vinston Painter – OL/DL, 6-5, 315 pounds, Maury
AP first-team all-state last season as a junior, Painter has been a dominating left tackle for Maury High School and has become one of the nation’s most highly recruited offensive tackles. He has very good size and carries 315 pounds extremely well.
Uncommitted
2. Ryan Williams – RB, 5-10, 205 pounds, Stonewall Jackson
Williams is a dynamic and speedy playmaker at the running back position. He has excellent versatility, as he catches the ball well. Williams rushed for 1,574 yards and scored a total of 22 touchdowns in his junior year.
Uncommitted
3. E.J. Manuel – QB, 6-4, 210 pounds, Bayside
A legit 6-4 prospect, Manuel has excellent size and a terrific arm for a pocket passer. But he is more than a pocket passer, as he is an effective runner and scrambler. A fluid athlete, he shows good acceleration and elusiveness. In his junior season, Manuel threw for 1,973 yards at a 56-percent completion rate.
Committed to Florida State
4. Deion Walker – WR, 6-3, 180 pounds, Christchurch
Though he is a long strider, Walker is surprisingly elusive for his size. Walker is very skilled at catching the ball, as he made some tough over-the-shoulder catches last season. In his junior season, he caught close to 50 passes for 733 yards and eight touchdowns.
Uncommitted
5. Mike Glennon – QB, 6-6, 195 pounds, Westfield
Glennon stands tall at 6-6 and is a poised passer out of the pocket. He is an accurate passer with an above average arm. Glennon is also a pretty good athlete even with his long frame. In his junior season in 2006, Glennon completed 123 of 205 passes for 1,662 yards with 18 touchdowns to only five interceptions.
Committed to N.C. State
6. D.J. Coles – WR/ATH, 6-3, 200 pounds, Goochland
In helping Goochland to a Division 2 state championship, Coles rushed for 1,403 yards (12.3 yards per carry) and 22 touchdowns. He added three touchdowns receiving. Coles is a strong, good looking physical specimen with excellent speed. He has been electronically timed at below 10.7 seconds in the 100 meters in track.
Committed to Virginia Tech
7. Marcus Davis – WR/ATH, 6-5, 215 pounds, Ocean Lakes
Davis simply is a tremendous physical specimen. His combination of athleticism, speed and strength are hard to ignore. Davis is a fluid athlete especially for his size and could end up at a number of positions on the next level.
Uncommitted
8. Dyrell Roberts – WR, 6-2, 190 pounds, Smithfield
Roberts primarily plays running back for Smithfield, but he also splits out as a receiver and is a very good defensive back. He rushed for over 1,000 yards last season but also caught 22 passes. On defense, he finished the year with eight interceptions. Roberts, who likely will end up at wide receiver on the next level, has the speed and potential to be a game-breaking receiver in college.
Committed to Virginia Tech
9. Kerry Boykins – WR/DB, 6-0, 200 pounds, Oscar Smith
Boykins is a dynamic special teams player, returning five kick-offs or punts for 60 yards and over last season as a junior. He is also a playmaker at wide receiver, as he caught 37 passes for 760 yards. Boykins is a tough runner with good speed and acceleration.
Committed to Maryland
10. Marcus Dowtin – RB/DB/LB, 6-2, 205 pounds, Fork Union Military Academy
Dowtin is a physical player who is a good looking physical specimen. I like him best on defense, where he flashes toughness and excellent closing speed.
Committed to Georgia
11. Todd Harrelson – WR/DB, 6-1, 185 pounds, Oscar Smith
Harrelson performs well on defense and offense and could end up on either side on the next level. He shows a good feel for playing cornerback, tallying 24 pass break-ups and seven interceptions last season.
Committed to North Carolina
12. Bobby Massie – OL/DL, 6-6, 325 pounds, Lynchburg Christian Academy
Opposing coaches rave about Massie’s size. Massie is also a very good athlete who runs around a 5.0 in the 40-yard dash. He tallied seven sacks last season as a junior at the nose tackle position. He plays offense as well and could project as an offensive lineman on the next level. If it were not for his serious academic questions, Massie would very likely have double-digit Division 1A scholarship offers.
Uncommitted
13. Jake Johnson – LB, 6-2, 235 pounds, Stafford
Johnson, who tallied 125 tackles including 19 tackles for loss last season, is a strong and fast linebacker prospect. He also is a terrific physical specimen and looks ready to play in college right now. Johnson is a leader for Stafford’s squad.
Committed to Virginia Tech
14. Klinton “Buddy” Ruff – DL, 6-4, 290 pounds, Norview
Ruff plays on both sides of the ball for Norview but projects as a defensive lineman on the next level. He led his team in tackles and tackles-for-loss last season as a junior. He has run a 5.0 in the 40-yard dash and can bench 185 pounds 30 times.
Committed to Virginia
15. Donovan Miles – LB, 6-1, 225 pounds, Brooke Point
Miles moves fluidly around the field, showing good speed and agility. A playmaker, he tallied 20 tackles-for-loss and eight sacks last season as a junior.
Committed to West Virginia
16. Jimmy Bennett – OL, 6-8, 290 pounds, West Potomac
Bennett has an excellent frame. He also runs very well, especially for his size, as he has been timed in the 40 at 4.9 seconds. He earned first-team all-metro honors by the Washington Post for his junior season performance.
Uncommitted
17. Allen Stephens – LB, 6-1, 240 pounds, Halifax County
Western Valley district Defensive Player of the Year as a junior, Stephens is the leader of Halifax County’s defense. He moves well sideline to sideline, racking up 150 tackles last season. Physically, Stephens is very impressive.
Committed to Virginia Tech
18. Kevin Whaley – RB, 5-9, 165 pounds, Salem
Whaley does not have the size to translate to being a full-time college running back, but what he lacks in size he makes up for with heart, determination and excellent running ability. He has good speed and his hands are solid as well. Whaley rushed for 1,992 yards and 37 touchdowns last season as a junior, leading Salem to the Group AAA, Division 6 semifinals.
Uncommitted
19. Lyndell Gibson – LB, 5-11, 220 pounds, Salem
Gibson, the Beach district Defensive Player of the Year as a junior, has a reputation among Virginia Beach coaches for being a ferocious hitter. He has a knack for getting to the ball-carrier.
Committed to Virginia Tech
20. Tony Gregory – RB, 5-11, 175 pounds, First Colonial
Gregory is a speedy back who shows a nice burst. This spring, he ran a hand-timed 4.38 in the 40-yard dash. This upcoming season will be his first as the full-time running back, so his stock certainly could rise with an impressive performance.
Committed to Virginia Tech
21. Xavier Boyce – ATH, 6-4, 200 pounds, Landstown
Boyce plays quarterback for Landstown and has ability at the position, but his likely position in college is defensive back. He is a big, strong player who runs well for his size.
Committed to Virginia Tech
22. Derrick McCoy – WR/LB, 6-3, 205 pounds, Amherst
At wide receiver, McCoy is a big, strong prospect who can make difficult catches in tight coverage. On defense, he has very good closing speed and could grow into a linebacker prospect on the next level.
Committed to Virginia Tech
23. Antoine Hopkins – DL, 6-2, 265 pounds, Highland Springs
Though he plays defensive end in high school, Hopkins likely will end up on the interior defensive line on the next level. Hopkins has turned in impressive performance each of the past two seasons. He is a strong player who understands his role in the Springers’ defense.
Uncommitted
24. Austin Fuller – WR, 6-2, 195 pounds, Richlands
Fuller has outstanding hands and was a big playmaker at wide receiver last season as a junior, hauling in 57 catches for 1,092 yards and 15 touchdowns in leading Richlands to a state championship. He makes tough catches look easy.
Committed to Virginia Tech
25. Jamal Wilson – WR/DB, 5-10, 175 pounds, Oscar Smith
Yet another dynamic WR/DB recruit for the Tigers, Wilson made 30 catches for 700 yards last season as a junior. He added 300 yards rushing and totaled 14 touchdowns including two kick-off returns for scores.
Uncommitted
26. Ben Barber – WR, 5-10, 190 pounds, Edison
Edison’s top receiving target, Barber averaged 19.1 yards per catch and hauled in 12 touchdowns last season as a junior. He has good speed and good hands.
Uncommitted
27. Peter Rose – WR/DB, 6-1, 185 pounds, Amherst
A good overall athlete, Rose totaled close to 2,000 yards of total offense his junior season. The all-state performer led Amherst to a state championship from the quarterback position. He likely projects as a defensive back or wide receiver in college.
Committed to Virginia Tech
28. Jeron Gouveia – S/LB, 6-2, 185 pounds, Stone Bridge
A second-team all-state performer at defensive back, Gouveia is a savvy player who likes to deliver a big hit. He improved his speed this off-season and was recently electronically timed at 4.62 in the 40-yard dash.
Committed to Virginia Tech
29. Morgan Carter – ATH, 6-4, 200 pounds, Hylton
Carter is a promising athlete who has yet to find a position in high school. He has potential at a number of spots, though, including wide receiver.
Uncommitted
30. Isaiah Hamlette – DE, 6-3, 250 pounds, Brooke Point
An athletic defensive end recruit, Hamlette tallied eight sacks last season as a junior. He also plays basketball and participates in track.
Committed to Virginia Tech
Ones to watch
Devin Arrington – LB/DB, Deep Creek
Hykeem Brodie – RB/DB, Western Branch
John Carter – RB/LB, Osbourn
J.J. Dorsey – QB/ATH, Handley Committed to West Virginia
Reid Evans – CB/WR, Phoebus
Justin Gilbert – OL, Monacan
Darryl Hamilton – CB, Centreville
Matthew Hurdle – QB, Highland Springs
Leons Kabongo – DB/LB, Gar-Field
Derek Jackson – LB, Deep Run – Committed to Purdue
Rotell Jenkins – WR, Huguenot
Chris Johnson – DE, Tallwood
Eric Martin – TE, Hylton Committed to Virginia Tech
Stephen Meadows – LB/DE/TE, James Monroe
Deon Miller – WR/TE, Highland Springs
Thomas Mulabah – DL, Park View
Tommy Reamon, Jr. – QB, Gloucester
Marquel Thomas – DB/WR, Bayside
Justin Thorpe – DB, Varina
Casey Turner – QB, Great Bridge
Rod Wheeler – TE/DE, Highland Springs
A.J. Williams – RB/DB, Fluvanna
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