Deshawn McClease showed flashes of his potential his freshman year in 2011, when he started two games for eventual Group AAA, Division 6 state champion Oscar Smith (Chesapeake, VA).  He broke a 54-yard touchdown run in the state title win over Centreville, providing a glimpse of his speed and big-play ability.

McClease, who now stands in the 5’9″/5’10” range and weighs 170 pounds, became the Tigers starting tailback as a sophomore in 2012.

“Last year I finished with over a thousand yards.  This year I want two-thousand.  Those are the goals for myself.  Team-wise, I’m going to try to lead the team to a state championship,” said McClease, who scored 15 touchdowns his sophomore season.  He earned Group AAA second-team all-Eastern Region honors for his play.

After being called up from the junior varsity four games into his freshman season, McClease teamed with current Virginia Tech rising sophomore tailback J.C. Coleman in Oscar Smith’s backfield.  Given the fact that the two players are roughly the same height and build, it’s no surprise that there have been comparisons.

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