2014 Week In Review: 7th Edition

2014 WEEK IN REVIEW: 7TH EDITION

The “Week In Review” is back with the latest on how Virginia Tech-bound recruits are performing on the gridiron in the 2014 season. This week’s spotlighted prospect is class of 2015 commitment Tremaine Edmunds, who will join his brothers, Trey and Terrell, in Blacksburg.

Edmunds stands 6’4″ and weighs in around 225 pounds. He plays on both sides of the ball on Dan River’s (Danville, VA) varsity football squad. On offense he’ll see action at receiver and running back, and on defense he plays linebacker. Edmunds has potential on both sides of the ball on the next level, but Virginia Tech’s coaches plan on using him at linebacker initially.

Edmunds chose Virginia Tech over Maryland and North Carolina, among others, this past summer. He plans to enroll in Blacksburg in the summer of 2015.

TSL: Your team is 4-3 and you just gave Altavista its toughest game of the season (Dan River lost, 14-0). How would you assess your team at this point in the year?

Tremaine Edmunds: “I still think we have a great chance of going to the playoffs and making a playoff run. We’ve had a couple of miscues and we could have taken advantage of some things that we didn’t. We have a young team, but I knew we’d still do fine. We have a lot of leaders on the team. I think we just have a good team all around. Seniors are realizing that our high school senior year is almost over. We know we need to leave it on the field.”

TSL: What are some ways you are trying to be a leader in your final year?

Tremaine Edmunds: “When coach tells us to do drills, I try to be the first one up. I go full speed every day in practice. Sometimes our coaches ask if any seniors have anything to say, and usually I’m one of the first ones up. It’s my responsibility as the leader of the team. I try to give speeches about hard work and what it takes to win.”

TSL: How has your father (Dan River head coach Ferrell Edmunds, who played college football at Maryland before moving on an NFL career) influenced you most on the field?

Tremaine Edmunds: “He has been to the highest level. He has been to the NFL, so he knows what it takes to get there. Sometimes, being the coach’s child is hard. He’s definitely hard on me. I have had to become comfortable with that role. It’s about being able to be coachable. Even though sometimes I may not agree with my Dad or he might make me mad, I listen because I know the outcome is doing what it takes to get to the next level.”

TSL: How have your brothers (Trey, a red-shirt sophomore tailback at Virginia Tech, and Terrell, a freshman defensive back at Tech) influenced you most on the field?

Tremaine Edmunds: “Mainly, it was me sitting back and observing. Back when Trey was a senior, I was a freshman. Terrell was on the varsity, too. Every practice, I just sat back and watched them. I saw the effort they were giving. I saw their sense for the game, how they reacted, and how fast they played.”

TSL: Do you have a favorite player?

Tremaine Edmunds: “My favorite player is definitely Ray Lewis. I’m a defensive guy and I love the way he played the game. He was a real leader on the field, and that’s what I want to be.”

TSL: What is your best high school memory so far?

Tremaine Edmunds: “My sophomore year – I believe it was the second game of the season – I had one big hit and the crowd went crazy. That was when I started to pick my game up.”

TSL: What is your take on Virginia Tech’s win over Ohio State? What impact do you think it might have on Tech’s program?

Tremaine Edmunds: “That was great. It was a great game to watch. I was excited the whole time. The defense really stepped up. I knew it wasn’t an easy game. I think it opened up people’s eyes. I can picture myself playing in that game and making plays.”

TSL: How would you describe your on-field demeanor?

Tremaine Edmunds: “I like to get into the game. I like to get hyped up.”

TSL: After Friday nights, what do you like to do to wind down from football?

Tremaine Edmunds: “I really don’t hang out that much. I’ll probably get with some friends, go get something to eat or something. Or I’ll chill over a friend’s house.”

TSL: Do you have a favorite restaurant?

Tremaine Edmunds: “One thing I love to do is eat. Any place is suitable.”

HOW THE REST OF VIRGINIA TECH’S RECRUITS PERFORMED ON THE FIELD LAST WEEK

– Adonis Alexander, S, Independence (Charlotte, N.C.)

Independence (7-0) had a bye last week. Through seven games, the Patriots defense is allowing an average of 3.4 points per game.

Next: Away versus Garinger on Thursday, October 17

– Jahque Alleyne, DB/WR, Ocean Lakes (Virginia Beach, VA)

Ocean Lakes handled a solid Cox squad, 55-21, to improve to 6-0 on the season. Alleyne contributed on both sides of the ball, hauling in three catches for 43 yards and coming away with an interception. Alleyne has shown some things on offense this season but is being recruited by Virginia Tech as a defensive back.

Next: Home versus First Colonial on Friday, October 17.

– Mike Arnold, OL, Winter Haven (FL)

Winter Haven (6-1) downed Lake Wales, 38-7.

Next: Away versus Sebring on Friday, October 17

– Chris Cunningham, TE/DE, Atlantic Coast (Jacksonville, FL)

Atlantic Coast ended a 3-game losing streak with a win over Sandalwood last week. Cunningham played a major role in the 37-15 victory, finishing with four catches for 71 yards and two touchdowns. He has 10 catches for 189 yards and four scores touchdowns on the season. He has also recorded a sack, forced a fumble and recovered a fumble.

The Stingrays (4-3) have a bye this week.

Next: Away versus Fleming Island on Friday, October 24

– Damien Dozier, DE/OLB, Knightdale (Raleigh, N.C.)

Knightdale defeated Harnett Central, 41-20, to improve to 3-4 on the year.

Next: Away versus Southeast Raleigh on Friday, October 17

– Tremaine Edmunds, LB, Dan River (Ringgold, VA)

Dan River gave Altavista its stiffest competition of the year, but the Wildcats ultimately fell to the Colonels, 14-0, and are now 4-3 on the season.

Next: Home versus Campbell on Friday, October 17

– Coleman Fox, RB/WR, Salem (VA)

Virginia Tech’s newest commit rushed nine times for 86 yards and had three catches for 64 yards and a touchdown as Salem blew away Christiansburg, 55-7. The Spartans are now 6-0.

Fox has rushed for 619 yards in six games. TSL Pass subscribers can read my in-depth report on Fox’s commitment to the Hokies by clicking here.

Next: Home versus Blacksburg on Friday, October 17

– Darius Fullwood, DE, Good Counsel (Olney, MD)

Good Counsel topped Bishop McNamara, 45-21, to move to 3-0 in the WCAC and 6-1 overall.

Next: Away versus St. John’s on Sunday, October 18

– Trevon Hill, DE, Salem (Virginia Beach, VA)

The Sun Devils lost a road contest to Landstown last week, 22-21. It was the Salem’s first loss of the season. Salem (6-1) looks to rebound at home against Princess Anne this week.

Next: Home versus Princess Anne on Friday, October 17

– DuWayne Johnson, CB, H.D. Woodson (Washington, D.C.)

H.D. Woodson drilled Dunbar, 41-7, and is now 6-1 on the season. Johnson had an interception for a stout Warriors defense.

Next: Away versus Ballou on Friday, October 17

– Fredrick Johnson, OL, Royal Palm Beach (FL)

Royal Palm Beach got back on the winning track with a 44-7 win over Atlantic last week. The Wildcats (5-1) lost their first game of the season the week before, falling to Dwyer by 23 points.

Next: Home versus Forest Hill on Friday, October 17

– Harry Lewis, DT, Phoebus (Hampton, VA)

Phoebus improved to 6-1 after edging out Bethel, 13-12.

Next: Away versus Woodside on Friday, October 17

– Carson Lydon, LB, East Lake (Tarpon Springs, FL)

East Lake (6-0) had a bye this past week.

Next: Home versus Countryside on Friday, October 17

– Deshawn McClease, RB, Oscar Smith (Chesapeake, VA)

Led by McClease’s 117 yards rushing and four touchdowns, Oscar Smith rolled to a 49-7 win over Nansemond River. The Tigers are 5-1.

Next: Away versus Grassfield on Friday, October 17

– Mook Reynolds, CB, Northern Guilford (Greensboro, N.C.)

Northern Guilford captured its sixth win of the season with a 55-0 blowout of Rockingham County. The Nighthawks have lost only once this season.

Reynolds had two receptions for 56 yards and a touchdown in the win. He also had five tackles and two pass breakups.

Next: Away versus Eastern Guilford on Friday, October 17

– Eric Whitehead, DT, Arsenal Tech (Indianapolis, IN)

Arsenal destroyed Marshall, 78-6, to move to 4-2 on the season.

Next: Home versus Bishop Chatard on Friday, October 17

VT CLASS OF 2016

– Logan Byrd, QB, Veterans (Kathleen, GA)

Veterans lost to West Laurens, 28-23. The Warhawks (0-6) have lost its past two games by a combined eight points. Byrd passed for 166 yards, a 27-yard touchdown and two interceptions.

Next: Home versus Perry on Friday, October 17

– Conner ODonnell, WR, Concord First Assembly (N.C.)

Concord First Assembly (1-6) was shutout by Trinity Christian, 38-0. O’Donnell racked up eight receptions for 151 yards in the loss.

Through seven games, O’Donnell has racked up 63 catches for 1,229 yards and six touchdowns.

Next: Away versus Victory Christian Center on Friday, October 24