Olu Hall Selects UVa, Teammates Make Commitments
Robinson All-Journal
defensive lineman Olu Hall said Monday he has verbally accepted a scholarship
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offer from Virginia.
Hall, All-Journal offensive lineman Bryce Miller and
quarterback Andy Hartigan announced their collegiate decisions in an afternoon
press conference in Robinson's Russell Theatre. Miller chose James Madison
while Hartigan picked Georgetown. Robinson All-Journal defensive back Chip
Vaughn verbally committed to Wake Forest in September. The players cannot
officially sign a National Letter of Intent until Wednesday.
``It's a good school, a good team down there and I really
like the academic part of it," said Hall, who chose the Cavaliers over
offers from Ohio State, Virginia Tech, North Carolina State and Purdue. ``It
was the right place for me."
Hall, a 6-foot-5, 225-pounder who will play outside
linebacker at Virginia, is the third area recruit to commit to the Cavaliers,
joining All-Journal linemen Clint Sintim (Gar-Field) and Zak Stair (Osbourn
Park). Hall was a key member of a Robinson defense that posted five shutouts,
finishing with 93 tackles and 11 sacks for the region runner-up Rams (11-1)
and was selected first-team All-State by the Associated Press.
Miller, a 6-0, 240-pound center, was a first-team
All-Patriot District and All-Northern Region pick, helping a revamped Rams
offensive line lead a 3,428-yard rushing attack. Hartigan completed 74 of 135
pass attempts for 1,168 yards and 14 touchdowns. He also scored five rushing
touchdowns.
Four other area players have
announced their decisions, including Yorktown All-Journal linebacker John
Crone, who verbally accepted a scholarship offer from Richmond. Crone led
the Patriots (10-2) in tackles (82) and was the National District Defensive
Player of the Year as Yorktown won the National District and advanced to the
Northern Region Division 5 final. Crone was also a first-team All-Northern
Region choice at running back, where he rushed for 1,460 yards and 20
touchdowns.
``John is the best player I've ever coached here,"
said Yorktown coach Bruce Hanson. ``You won't find a player much better than
him."
South Lakes senior linebacker Dan Smith, a second-team
All-Journal pick, has committed to Marist, according to South Lakes coach
Joe Trabucco. Smith, who recorded more than 100 tackles for the Seahawks
(6-4), was All-Region at linebacker and the Co-Liberty District Defensive
Player of the Year with W.T. Woodson linebacker Matt Clark. Smith was also a
starter for South Lakes as a junior, helping the Seahawks to a Northern
Region Division 5 championship and an appearance in the state semifinals.
West Springfield seniors Derrick and Desmond Braziel have
verbally committed to Findlay, a Division II school in Ohio, according to
West Springfield coach Bill Renner. Desmond Braziel, a 2003 All-Journal pick
at defensive back, led the Spartans (10-6) in tackles (82), intercepted two
passes and returned a punt for a touchdown. Derrick Braziel, West
Springfield's leading rusher the past two seasons, was an All-Journal
running back in 2002.
Coming soon: VirginiaPreps TOP Prospect Listing -
Class of 2005
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Juniors - Football Class of 2005
Smith--OL/DL--Parkview HS ('05)
Watson--RB--Monacan HS ('05)
Boone--QB/Safety, Oscar Smith HS ('05)
(Class of 2005) Grafton HS
Moore--OG, Amherst County HS ('05)
Ingram--OLB/T, James River HS ('05)
Langley HS ('05)
Top Virginia Junior Prospect
Class of 2005 Grundy High School
Warren County HS, FB 2005
Junior Receiving Recruiting Calls