ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, January 10, 1996 TAG: 9601100057
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DOUG DOUGHTY STAFF WRITER
Jason Small, the first football player from California to commit to Virginia in more than 20 years, might be happy to have the success of his predecessor.
Actually, Small might hope to have more on-the-field success than George Allen, an ex-Virginia quarterback of modest distinction who is now the commonwealth's governor.
While Allen began his career at UCLA, Small, a defensive back, will go directly to Virginia from Westchester High School in Los Angeles, where he had 15 pass break-ups as a senior.
Small, named to the All-America team picked by Blue Chip Illustrated, visited Washington and Wisconsin before making a public commitment to Virginia. He canceled trips to Texas A&M and California.
``Academics was a big part of my decision,'' said Small, a 6-1/2, 185-pounder. ``Virginia has a good football program, but I was looking at some other pretty good football programs, like Texas A&M and Washington.''
Small lives in San Pedro, Calif., where his father is an Army recruiter. Small was born in Fayetteville, N.C., while his father was stationed at Fort Bragg, and the family also has lived in Ohio and Florida.
Small, who has a 3.4 grade-point average, was recommended to Virginia by a group that tries to place African-American student-athletes at colleges with reputations for strong academics.
Small, a cornerback with 4.5-second speed for 40 yards, is the 17th player known to have committed to the Cavaliers. All-Group AAA defensive end Donny Green from Hampton High School was the 16th.
Six of the commitments have come from in-state players, but UVa also has added players from California, Texas, Ohio, Georgia, New York, New Jersey, North Carolina and Maryland, as well as Washington, D.C.
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