Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, February 1, 1991 TAG: 9102010209
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B7 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DOUG DOUGHTY SPORTSWRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Running back Dwayne Thomas announced he will sign a letter-of-intent with the Hokies next Wednesday, the first day of the NCAA's national signing period.
Thomas, 6 feet and 185 pounds, rushed for 2,626 yards and 40 touchdowns in helping Bishop Verot of Fort Myers, Fla., to an 11-2 record and a spot in the Class AA championship game.
Thomas, who averaged 8.8 yards per carry, visited Tech, Louisville and South Carolina and canceled a trip to Mississippi.
"Some people questioned his speed [4.6 seconds for 40 yards]," Bishop Verot coach Billy Shields said, "but, to me, that's no factor at all. I've never seen him caught from behind. When you rush for 2,600 yards, you must be doing something right."
Thomas was a first-team all-state selection.
Jones, a 6-3, 210-pound linebacker from Green Run High in Virginia Beach, and running back Kevin Brooks of Great Bridge High in Chesapeake also told UVa they would sign next week. Brooks is rated one of the top 25 prospects in Virginia.
Jones might have the opportunity to start as a freshman, according to a report in the Norfolk Virginian-Pilot. The Virginia coaching staff is considering moving starting linebacker P.J. Killian to safety next season, the paper said.
"I understand moving P.J. might be a plus, but I'm not scared of competing with anyone and I think I can fit the versatile mold of linebacker Virginia wants," Jones said. "If they need me to play as a freshman, I'll be up to it."
Brooks, a 6-1, 178-pounder, was hobbled by an injury and ran for just 684 yards last season. As a junior, he ran for 1,026 yards and was selected All-Tidewater. Brooks also had Virginia Tech, Georgia Tech, Wisconsin and James Madison in his final five.
Brooks may not see much playing time next season since Virginia returns its top two tailbacks - 1,000-yard rusher Terry Kirby and Nikki Fisher. Brooks, who has 4.4 speed in the 40-yard dash, said he would like to gain weight before next season.
Virginia received a commitment from another prominent player when 6-4, 245-pound Ray Kane from Wayne, Pa., picked the Cavaliers over North Carolina, Syracuse and Duke.
Kane was the Philadelphia Daily News defensive player of the year and an all-state selection.
Kane underwent knee surgery after the season and expects to be redshirted as a freshman.
Blacksburg High lineman Jared Hamlin, another Top 25 pick, has narrowed his choices to Virginia Tech and Mississippi and will announce his decision Tuesday, coach Dave Crist said. Tech is considered the leader.
Some information from this story was contributed by Landmark News Service.
by CNB