UVA Wins In Numbers, Division II Schools Scoop The Talent

by Andy Hilton, recruit757

The signing day fervor is quieting, and now we can begin the analysis of who’s going where, who won and who changed the landscape of football recruiting in The 757 this year. Here’s a recap of the 2012 signing class as of this point:

For in-state schools recruiting local players, you have to call Virginia the winner once again. The Cavs got quality and quantity. Tech fans, don’t lament. While Virginia Tech got only three players out of the region, they landed a great running back in J.C. Coleman, mended the relationship with Oscar Smith head coach Rich Morgan, and beat Mike London overall when it came to bringing in recruits from the Commonweath and recruits from outside the state.

Going into today, Virginia Tech still had three uncommitted recruits at the top of their board. Wide receiver Joel Caleb out of Clover Hill and linebacker Joel Caleb out of Clover Hill signed their LOIs to Tech this morning. The third target, defensive tackle Korren Kirven out of Brookville, committed to Alabama. All in all, Tech had a successful day.

The biggest surprise locally was the impact of Division II schools, specifically Concord University and Alderson-Broaddus. Concord inked eight commitments today and Alderson-Broaddus signed ten. That’s two Division II schools out of West Virginia coming in and outrecruiting some of the Division I schools that recruit the area. Coach Rich Morgan of Oscar Smith sent two of his players to Concord and confirmed that the staff there worked hard.

“They did a better job recruiting. (Concord and A-B) are two Division II schools from out-of-state, but they were here in the spring. They were here in the fall watching games. There wasn’t another Division II school that was (doing that),” said Morgan. “They quite frankly outrecruited everybody and got kids. Maybe that will force other people to step their game up and get out more often. We have Division II schools in-state, but they didn’t come out. Kids are going to go where people are showing them interest. It’s a credit to them for coming out and they’re getting great players. I’m sure they’ll be a force as they build their programs.”

Old Dominion had limited numbers to work with this year, but continued to work The 757 intensely and efficiently. Hampton University turned their eyes more intently to their backyard for the first time in years and it paid off with them landing eight recruits. James Madison got quality in their three recruits, while Maryland schools Towson and Morgan State came away with three and four players each.

Here’s a recap school by school, as we have it right now:

Virginia (10)
Divante Walker, Kyle Dockins, Eli Harold, Anthony Cooper, Courtnye Wynn, Wil Wahee, Kwontie Moore, Mario Nixon, Mark Hall, Jamall Brown, (Willem Van Reesma – Walk-on)

Alderson-Broaddus (10)
Andy Ruckman, Jerran Downing, Josh Lawson, Athan Reynoso, Logan Bauder, Hayden Crockett, Brandte McIntyre, D’Andre Nicholson, Casey Allen, Jeffrey Stephens

Hampton U. (8)
Marcus Haynes, Jahmil Haley, Dominique Roldan, Tyjuan Cowell, Garfield Christie, Sequan Gooding, J.J. Williamson, Rayshard Riddick

Concord (7)
Jeff Woods, D’Vonte Williams, Jocorey Robins, Nigee Brehon, Derek Taitano, Justin Lyles, Brian Novak

Old Dominion (5)
Troy Butler, Cal Cook, Anderson Miller, Rashawn Proctor, Isaac White (greyshirt)

Morgan State (5)
Chris Moller, DeShaun Summers, Willie Gillus, Lamont Brown, Taquon Jackson

Virginia Tech (4)
J.C. Coleman, Der’woun Greene, Alston Smith, Thomas Smith (greyshirt)

James Madison (3)
Kwe’shon Williams, Rhakeem Stallings, Dylan Stallings

Towson (3)
Donnell Lewis, Willie Ponder, C.J. Jones

Norfolk State (3)
Mike Phillips, Conley Smith, Kimdrick Feaster

Christopher Newport (3)
Deontre McClee, Chris Probst, Ben Epps

Temple (2)
Romond Deloatch, Kevin Newsome (transfer)

Virginia State (2)
Jeffrey Branch, Aaron Hutchins

VMI (2)
Joe Nelson, Jordan Veal

Maryland (1)
Avery Thompson

Western Michigan (1)
Justin Motley

Delaware (1)
Eric Enderson

UMass (1)
D’Metrius Williams

Richmond (1)
Reginald Diggs

North Carolina Central (1)
Jabari Evans

Coastal Carolina (1)
Rod Holder

Delaware State (1)
Corey Barnes

There will be many more to come and the number from the region should swell past 100. Expect few Division I commitments after today, but there will be plenty of activity once smaller schools can contact players who didn’t commit to bigger schools. Also, there will be a number of walk-ons. We’ll keep you in the loop and soon enough, we’ll be looking forward to the class of 2013.

- Andy Hilton

This article was edited to add Salem’s Jeffery Stephens who committed to Alderson-Broaddus on signing day but was inadvertently left off of the list.