Player Spotlight: Salem (Virginia Beach, VA) DE Trevon Hill
Trevon Hill had double digit offers to consider before whittling his list to Virginia Tech and North Carolina. After delaying his decision once — Hill planned on committing in May but ended up announcing on July 5 — he chose to stay in-state and play for head coach Frank Beamer and company, giving the Hokies a top prospect at a huge position of need.
The 6’4″, 220-pound prospect earned first-team all-state honors his junior season despite playing most of the year with a brace after suffering a torn labrum. TSL ranks him as a 4-star prospect and the no. 10 player in the state in the our Preseason In-State Top 40 for the class of 2015.
On the gridiron this season, a week after forcing, recovering and returning a fumble 31 yards for a touchdown in a 24-14 win over Kellam, Hill racked up 2.5 sacks in a 26-0 win over Green Run. Hill is healthy and primed for a big-time year.
Salem travels to Bayside on Friday, September 12, seeking its third straight win to start 2014.
TSL: How would you assess your team through two games?
Trevon Hill: “We’re looking real good. We played well last Friday night and had a great win. The week before, we didn’t get off to a good start but we came back. Last week we did real well. We moved the ball on offense.”
TSL: You played very well last season despite playing with an injury. How were you able to be successful?
Trevon Hill: “Playing with the restraint was a setback, but I still had to accomplish my goals. I had to play through it. This year, I’m trying to break the state record for sacks, which I believe is in the low 30s.”
TSL: What separates you from other defensive ends?
Trevon Hill: “A lot of my instincts and natural abilities allow me to do what I do. I thank God for blessing me with those things. And I prepare for my opponent. I watch how they kick-step, how they use their hands and things like that. What we do, our coaches switch me around and put me on the weakest lineman.”
TSL: Who is your favorite player and why?
Trevon Hill: “JJ Watt. Because he’s relentless.”
TSL: Defensive end is a big need for Virginia Tech in your class. Do you expect to see the field for the Hokies next season?
Trevon Hill: “Definitely, but everything you do in life has to be earned. I’m not expecting to be handed anything. I need to put on weight in the offseason, learn the playbook and everything.”
TSL: Who are some recruits you would like to join you in Blacksburg?
Trevon Hill: “Definitely Sweat (Oscar Smith 5-star DE Josh Sweat). That would be great to have him on the other side. Tim Settle, to have a big guy like that on the inside. Matt Burrell. Toliver (Jacksonville (FL) CB Kevin Toliver II)… I’ve talked to him a couple times. And then some local guys like DJ Davis, who plays with me. He is committed to ODU, but he is very underrated. I’m trying to get the coaches to look at him. He’s an athlete, basically. He can play safety, wide receiver, cornerback, whatever.”
TSL: Virginia Tech’s defense… what do you think makes it so successful?
Trevon Hill: “It’s determined and disciplined. You have to be disciplined to play for Coach Foster.”
TSL: Current Tech tight end Bucky Hodges was of course a teammate of yours at Salem. What was your reaction when he scored against Ohio State?
Trevon Hill: “We were at his mom’s house. She threw a little party to watch the game. When he scored, the house shook. It was crazy to see an ex-teammate of mine score on national TV like that.”
TSL: I know you will take your official visit to VT the weekend of September 19-21. How much are you looking forward to that experience?
Trevon Hill: “I can’t wait. There are some big-time recruits coming in. I’ll put the bug in their ear. I can’t pressure too much because I went through the process, too. A lot of players don’t like the pressure. You want to make the person feel comfortable.”
Now, here is how the rest of Virginia Tech’s commitments performed on the gridiron last week…
– Adonis Alexander, S, Independence (Charlotte, N.C.)
Three games, three shutouts for Adonis Alexander and the Independence defense, which shutdown Olympic in a 27-0 victory last Friday. Alexander has one defensive touchdown on the season.
Next: Away versus West Mecklenburg on Friday, September 12
– Jahque Alleyne, DB/WR, Ocean Lakes (Virginia Beach, VA)
Ocean Lakes routed Tallwood, 69-0, in its season opener. Alleyne, recruited by Tech as a defensive back, had three touchdown receptions including a 67-yarder in victory.
Next: Home versus Kellam on Friday, September 12.
– Chris Cunningham, TE/DE, Atlantic Coast (Jacksonville, FL)
The Atlantic Coast run game was in high gear last Friday, churning out six touchdowns and 444 yards on the ground. The Stingrays are now 2-0 on the year. Cunningham has one touchdown reception so far this season.
Next: Home versus Wolfson on Friday, September 12
– Damien Dozier, DE/OLB, Knightdale (Raleigh, N.C.)
Knightdale lost to Heritage 38-0 to fall to 1-2 on the season.
Next: Home versus Enloe on Friday, September 12
– Tremaine Edmunds, LB, Dan River (Ringgold, VA)
Dan River’s offense was held to under 100 yards and only two first downs in a 42-0 defeat at the hands of Magna Vista. The Wildcats are now 1-1.
Next: Away versus Tunstall on Friday, September 12
– DuWayne Johnson, CB, H.D. Woodson (Washington, D.C.)
After falling to Martinsburg of West Virginia in its season opener, H.D. Woodson rebounded with a 32-0 thumping of Theodore Roosevelt.
Next: Away versus Yorktown on Saturday, September 12
– Harry Lewis, DT, Phoebus (Hampton, VA)
Phoebus lost big to Lake Taylor last Friday, 42-14. The Phantoms fall to 1-1 on the season.
Next: Home versus Warwick on Friday, September 12
– Carson Lydon, LB, East Lake (Tarpon Springs, FL)
Virginia Tech-bound Lydon came up big last week, finishing with two blocked punts, one sack and one touchdown run in a 42-0 win over Largo. Click here for a good picture of Lydon closing in on a sack and last week’s game story. East Lake is 2-0.
Next: Away versus Dunedin on Friday, September 12
– Deshawn McClease, RB, Oscar Smith (Chesapeake, VA)
McClease totaled 182 yards (141 rushing, 41 receiving) and two touchdowns in the Tigers season opening loss to Booker T. Washington of Miami, Florida. Oscar Smith has been off since but takes the field this Saturday.
Next: Home versus Indian River on Saturday, September 13
– Mook Reynolds, CB, Northern Guilford (Greensboro, N.C.)
Northern Guilford is now 2-0 after defeating Northwest Guilford, 35-12, last Friday night. Reynolds started the scoring with a 93-yard kickoff return for a touchdown.
Next: Away versus Williams on Friday, September 12
– Eric Whitehead, DT, Arsenal Tech (Indianapolis, IN)
It appears Whitehead is headed back to Arsenal Tech after being declared ineligible to play at Lawrence Central, the school he transferred to in January of 2014. According to this report, the Tech-bound defensive tackle is immediately eligible to play for Arsenal (1-1).
Next: Home versus Emmerich Manual on Friday, September 12
VT CLASS OF 2016
– Conner O’Donnell, WR, Concord First Assembly (N.C.)
O’Donnell had nine receptions for 174 yards, including a game-clinching 26-yard catch, in a 49-44 win over Highland Tech. CFA improved to 1-2 on the season.
Next: Away versus North Raleigh Christian Academy on Friday, September 12
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I think it would be really cool if local Hokies in the 757 showed up in force in Hokie colors at one of their games. Basically a Hokie cheering section for that big time recruit.
So, Adonis Alexander has outscored three opponents all by himself? Good to know. 🙂
LOL
OK…I’m going to start it …moo-rey player!!
Carson Lydon: 2 blocked punts!!! Sounds like he may play as a true freshman! 😉