Starring on both sides of the football, Loudoun County Class of 2020 prospect Joseph Groves enjoyed a well-rounded junior campaign for a Raiders squad that had one of its best seasons in a while. In fact, by going 9-2 overall and rallying to beat Riverside in the opening round of the playoffs 34-27 before falling to eventual Class 4 State Champ Woodgrove 28-21 in the second round, it marked Loudoun County's best finish since 2012.
Groves, who transferred in last year from Briar Woods, was a major key in their success with 745 all-purpose yards and eight touchdowns offensively while adding a couple more scores on special teams, combined with a stellar defensive showing in the form 45 tackles, 12.5 stops for loss, 2.5 sacks, a pair of interceptions and a fumble recovery. All of that was more than enough to earn him 1st Team All-Region and All-District accolades both offensively and defensively along with All-District honors as a kick returner.
Colleges noticed what the now nearly 6-foot-2, 180-pound athlete does on the field - further bolstered by his excellence in the classroom with a 4.1 GPA. That had several FBS and FCS programs, even a handful out of the Ivy League, in touch throughout the off-season. Ultimately, Groves decided to give a verbal commitment to Lafayette College out of the Patriot League.
"I chose Lafayette because when I went there, saw the campus and got a tour of the facilities, I learned about how great of a school it is, and what I can do after my football career with a degree from there," Groves told VirginiaPreps.com.
"It's close to home, plus I really seemed to like the coaches. I believe I can have a big impact there as a student and as a football player."
Groves also considered Army at West Point, Cornell, New Hampshire, Princeton, Richmond, William & Mary and Yale. Early offers came in from Valparaiso and VMI. He indicated that Army was his other top choice after Lafayette. One of the questions some schools had was where exactly to play him.
"I am committed as a wide receiver, but they did say I looked good at safety too," Groves noted. "The thing they like most about my game is probably my versatility and how I'm able to play both sides of the ball. Whatever a coach needs me to do or play, I can do it."
Even before he got the opportunity to play at the next level, Groves got to see plenty of talent around the Northern Virginia area up close and personal.
“I grew up in the glory days of Briar Woods and was always around Trace McSorley, Alex Carter, Cam Serigne, Matt Rolin and Brandon Polk because my dad coached there and I was the ball boy until I started to play there," Groves pointed out.
All have served as role models for him, each going on to play College Football, and a few even in the National Football League.
McSorley is now with the NFL's Baltimore Ravens after starring in the Big Ten at Penn State. Carter went on to play at Stanford before becoming a third round draft choice of the Detroit Lions in the pros. Serigne was a highly productive tight end at Wake Forest that ended up getting signed by the Carolina Panthers. Rolin played at the University of Florida, whereas Polk went on to James Madison after transferring from Penn State.
Those that know him best wouldn't be surprised to see him contribute mightily at the next level.
"Joseph is a fast and physical player. He started both ways for us last year and hardly ever came off the field, including being in on almost every special teams play," stated Loudoun County Head Coach Tony Rayburn.
"He understands the game and does a lot of things naturally. He is one of the best all-around football players I have ever coached in 30 years."
Expectations remain high for Groves and the Raiders, who'll begin the 2019 campaign at home on August 30th against Fauquier, a team they've beaten each of the past two years.
"My goals before I get to the next level are to continue to receive great academics achievements and always get bigger, stronger and faster. Improve pretty much everything and as an all-around football player in every aspect," Groves stated on his hopes for this coming season.
"I want to continue to work on my routes and get them as close to perfect as I can. Also, I'm looking to help my team do the best that we can and be a leader for them in this community while creating memories."
Matthew Hatfield serves as Publisher for VirginiaPreps.com, part of the Rivals.com Network, and is a regular contributor to the ACC Sports Journal. Check out Hatfield’s Twitter page for more sports related updates, and you can also read his work in the Suffolk News Herald. To contact Matthew, please e-mail hatfieldsports2k4@yahoo.com, and don’t forget to listen to him weeknights from 6-7 PM on The 757 at 6 as well as every Saturday at 10 AM to Noon on ESPN Radio 94.1.
