Living up to its reputation as one of Central Virginia’s factory for collegiate football players, five members of the 2009 Fork Union football team signed letters of intent to play at the next level. For Mark Shuman, Nick Acree, Russell Bodine, Jamel Turner and Akeem Garnett, there was no amount of snow that could keep them from making their mark and faxing off the necessary papers to their respective schools on Wednesday morning.
“It’s nice to have it official,” said Bodine, who will head to North Carolina this fall. “It was pretty official for me the whole time because I wasn’t going to ever de-committ.”
Both Mark Shuman and Nick Acree will join Bodine in the ACC, but will do so as foes, as the two signed with Virginia Tech. Shuman’s bother, Ryan, played for Hokies coach Frank Beamer from 2005 until he graduated in 2008.
“I’ve been around (Blacksburg) a lot and seen my brother play there,” Shuman said. “I know the coaching staff and school and just felt comfortable there. It’s a great environment for football.”
Acree was Virginia Tech’s first verbal commit for the class of 2010, but suffered a torn ACL this summer that kept him on the sidelines this past fall. Nonetheless, the 6-foot 6-inch 297-pound defensive tackle was able to make progress this season.
“It’s a blessing to be a part of the Virginia Tech family officially today,” Acree said. “The beginning (of the year) was rough but I knew my end, and the end was to get to Virginia Tech so that I can be the best that I can be. The injury didn’t stray away my focus. Some would say the injury was a setback, but I thought I gained a lot because I was able to work on my studies, get into shape and really study the game of football.”
After transferring from Youngstown Ursuline High in Ohio to FUMA last season, senior linebacker Jamel Turner is heading back to the Buckeye state to wear the scarlet and grey. Turner led the Blue Devils in tackles this season and was humbled by the opportunity to play for a national power such as Ohio State.
“I started out as a freshman hoping to play somewhere but I never thought that place would be Ohio State,” Turner said. “I’ve got to say that (Buckeyes coach Jim Tressell) is one of the most decent men I’ve ever met and I feel great knowing that he’s got my best interests at heart.”
Akeem Garnett will head to the Citadel after an outstanding year as a receiver and defensive back. Garnett, a first team All-Scrimmage Play honoree, averaged over 20 yards per reception despite playing on a team that employed a run first attitude all season long. After weiging offers between Virginia Military Institute and the Citadel, Garnett settle on the Bulldogs because of his academic opportunities.
“I just really loved the way they set you up for the rest of your life,” Garnett said. “The balance they have between academics and sports, the city of Charleston (SC), that’s what really got me into it — the core values and the environment.”
Bodine, Shuman, Turner and Garnett all were selected first team All-VISAA Division and the four also made the All-Prep League team in addition to earning All-Scrimmage Play honors.
Trio of Tigers span the coasts
Whie Woodberry Forest’s Ed Reynolds and Aramide Olaniyan are headed for the Pac-10, Duke Mosby is staying relatively close to home in the ACC.
Reynolds officially signed on with Stanford after an expectional season at running back and defensive back. Reynolds was one of only a few players that Tigers coach Clint Alexander allowed to play on both sides of the ball and he did not disappoint as he brought home All-VISAA Division I first team nods on offense and defense. He was Scrimmage Play’s offensive player of the year.
Olaniyan, ranked 127th on ESPN’s Top 150, juggled offers from Clemson, Duke, North Carolina, North Carolina State, Wake Forest and Michigan before finally choosing UCLA at the end of November.
Mosby also sifted through a handful of offers before coming to a final decision to play for Wake Forest. The 6-foot 3-inch 273-pound defensive tackle had offers from Clemson, North Carolina State and James Madison but stayed true to the committment he made to the Demon Deacons last April.
Both Olaniyan and Mosby joined Reynolds as All-VISAA Divsion I and All-Scrimmage Play first team members. All three were named to the All-Prep League team. In the last two seasons the three seniors led Woodberry to a 16-2 record. At 8-1 this season, the Tigers were the only team to defeat VISAA Division I champion Collegiate. Woodberry does not participate in the post season.
Blue Ridge’s Camp heads to Concord
K.C. Camp will head to Athens, West Virginia to play football for Concord. After the Barons’ season ended in Novermber, the Lions courted Camp and wound up offering the 6-foot 3-inch, 285-pound offensive lineman a scholorship. After visiting a handful of other schools, Camp settled on Concord.
“(Going through the process) is a lot of hard work and I’m just glad that it all paid off in the end,” Camp said. “Nothing stood out for me like Concord did. The whole blue collar attitude they have — nothing’s flashy and I like that. The weight room is a dungeon and there are no gimmicks there. That really fit me as a person.”
Camp helped the Barons advance all the way to the VISAA Divsion II championship game this season before falling short to Nansemond-Suffolk.
Drake to play soccer for Radford
Fluvanna County’s Tyler Drake has made a name for herself as one of the Jefferson District’s best soccer players in the past two seasons and will continue her playing days in college as she signed on to play for Radford this upcoming fall.
Drake has helped lead the Flyin’ Flucos to three consecutive Region II berths and has scored 40 goals and tallied 25 assists in her three years on the varisty squad. Last year was her first full season on offense and as a junior she led the district with 31 goals.
Kostelac and Ward signings delayed by snow
Albemarle’s Anthony Kostelac and Western Albemarle’s Tyler Ward were slated to sign letters of intent on Wednesday but were unable to do so publicly because of weather.
Last week Kostelac made a commitment to run for Virginia’s track and field team amidst placing second at the Millrose Mile at Madison Square Garden in New York.
Ward earned second team All-Region II and first team All-Jefferson Disctrict honors in football and will head to Lehigh this fall.
Both signings have been rescheduled for today, but could be pushed back again if Albemarle County schools remain closed.
