Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, November 17, 1995 TAG: 9511170048
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DOUG DOUGHTY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Virginia Tech landed the pass-rusher of its dreams Thursday when 6-foot-5, 220-pound Robert Adams from William Campbell High School committed to the Hokies.
Adams, who has attended Tech's summer camp since his sophomore year, canceled visits to Tennessee, North Carolina and North Carolina State.
``Robert just got tired of everything that was going on, and with the playoffs coming up and the basketball season ahead, he decided he didn't want to wait,'' said Kevin Saunders, William Campbell's coach. ``All along, that's where he's wanted to go.''
Adams is one of three Division I prospects for unbeaten William Campbell, which entertains Jefferson Forest (7-3) tonight in the first round of the Region III Division 3 playoffs. Tech also is looking at Generals linebacker James Younger and defensive back-wide receiver Sharron Braxton.
``He didn't have to make all the plays for us,'' said Saunders, who reported Adams had six sacks and five fumble recoveries. ``His best football is in front of him. I'd be surprised if he plays next year.''
That would put Adams, rated among the top six prospects in Virginia by SuperPrep magazine, in position to inherit the rush-end position manned by Hokies junior Cornell Brown.
``Yeah, that's what they're talking about,'' Saunders said. ``He's taller than Cornell, but he's got to get as strong.
Adams, because of his size and the position he plays, invariably draws comparisons to Charles Haley, a one-time William Campbell star. Haley went on to James Madison University before enjoying a brilliant NFL career with San Francisco and Dallas.
``The people who were around here then say that Haley was more aggressive, but that Robert is a little better all-around athlete at this stage,'' Saunders said.
Sources say Adams scored in the 750 range in his first attempt at the Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT). He needs an 820 score to receive a scholarship to a NCAA Division I school.
by CNB