ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, February 6, 1996 TAG: 9602060065
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DOUG DOUGHTY
Almost two weeks after he visited Virginia and led the Cavaliers to believe he would play football for them, Johnny Ponder made it official Monday.
Ponder, a 6-foot-2, 190-pound defensive back for Robert E. Lee High School in Jacksonville, Fla., was a first-team all-state selection. In addition, he was named to the preseason All-America team chosen by SuperPrep magazine.
``I've had this in my mind for a while,'' Ponder said of his commitment to UVa. ``I never came very close to changing my mind, but I wanted to be certain.''
Ponder took recruiting visits to Virginia, Notre Dame, Syracuse, Central Florida and Howard. He said he had a ``pretty firm'' offer from Notre Dame, but Howard probably was his second choice.
Ponder, who estimated his time at 4.4 to 4.5 seconds for 40 yards, said he expects to play free safety for the Cavaliers but wouldn't be opposed to moving to offense. He was a wide receiver until his senior year.
Ponder is the 19th player to commit to UVa and the first this year from Florida.
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