ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, January 24, 1996 TAG: 9601240035
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DOUG DOUGHTY STAFF WRITER
Virginia Tech's recruiting push into Florida paid late dividends when the Hokies received commitments from a pair of linemen.
Tech's past five commitments have come from Florida players, including 6-foot-3, 260-pound defensive tackle Corey Storr and 6-4, 295-pound center Jeff Dumbaugh.
Storr made first-team all-state at Killian High School in Miami, where he was an All-Dade County selection. Storr could not be reached for comment, but his mother said he chose the Hokies over North Carolina State and Iowa State.
Dumbaugh was a three-year starter at Sante Fe High School in Alachua, Fla., located 12 miles from Gainesville. In 1994, Santa Fe finished 14-1 and won the state championship in Class 4-A, the third largest classification out of six.
One of Dumbaugh's teammates, offensive guard Zac Zedalis, signed with Florida and was named to the All-America team picked by SuperPrep magazine. ``But, overall, Jeff is probably the better athlete,'' Santa Fe coach John Carter said.
Dumbaugh has played baseball and basketball and, until recently, has not made a year-round commitment to football.
Dumbaugh injured a knee at Florida State's football camp and missed several games over the last two seasons because he was unable to practice.
``With us, it's no practice-o, no play-o,'' Carter said. ``The turning point with Jeff came at midseason, when I sat him down and told him, `You've got to prove to me that football is important before I recommend you to these coaches.'
``He's a great kid and could be a great player.''
Dumbaugh picked Tech over Kentucky.
Tech has 25 commitments, two of which are junior-college transfers who will count against the 1995 quota. The Hokies could sign as many as 29, with the possibility that one or more recruits will pay their way for a semester or not enroll until the second semester of 1996-97.
LENGTH: Short : 43 linesby CNB