Starting at quarterback for Mike Smith’s Hampton Crabbers squad has been a dream for 6-1, 185-pound junior David Watford . Recently, he fulfilled another dream when he earned his first official FBS scholarship offer from the University of Virginia.

“It was a surprise,” Watford recalled. “I was at school and the teacher/student basketball game was going on. Coach Smith came over to me and gave me the letter. I opened it and my eyes got big. I showed everybody and they were all happy for me. I was really excited. I’m going to remember it for a long time.”

Watford will be a 3-year starter on the varsity level. As a junior, he threw for 1,538 yards and 16 touchdowns. In the mold of past Hampton quarterbacks, Watford, who has run the 100 meters in 10.8 seconds, can run, too. He rushed for 480 yards last season.

“I feel like I can throw the ball against any defense,” Watford said when asked what his strengths and weaknesses are. “When a play breaks down, I can keep it alive with my legs. The thing I can improve on most is reading the defense correctly. I always want to work on making good decisions. I’m working on my footwork. You have to make sure your footwork is good.”

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