ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, February 7, 1996 TAG: 9602070034
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DOUG DOUGHTY STAFF WRITER
Virginia Tech can only hope its latest football recruit from H.D. Woodson High School is as successful as the first.
Defensive back Donald Harris follows in the footsteps of Damien Russell, who went to Virginia Tech in the late 1980s and later played for the San Francisco 49ers.
Harris is ``bigger than Damien,'' said Bob Headen, the coach at Woodson, located in Washington, D.C. ``He may not be as fast, but he can be. Damien ran track. Donald plays basketball.''
SuperPrep magazine rated Harris the No.11 prospect in the Mid-Atlantic Area, which includes Maryland, West Virginia and the District of Columbia. He was listed third among players from D.C.
Headen estimated Harris' speed at 4.4 seconds for 40 yards, but speculated Harris could play outside linebacker because of his size (6 feet 2, 190 pounds) and growth potential (size-13 shoe). He played cornerback and safety for Woodson.
Headen said Harris took official visits to Tech and Ohio University, but a source familiar with the recruiting said Harris was scheduled to go to Pittsburgh and Colorado on trips that were postponed - and ultimately canceled - because of weather.
Harris is the 28th player to commit to the Hokies, who are in the final two with Maryland for Parade All-America running back Damone Boone to West Springfield. Boone's decision, expected today, will coincide with the start of the signing period.
Two of Tech's recruits are junior college transfers who already are in school and will count against the 1995 quota. Two more could enter in January 1997.
Virginia has 20 commitments, the latest from 6-2, 220-pound Chris Morant, a running back and linebacker from Bethel High School in Hampton. Morant was rated the No.28 prospect in Virginia by The Roanoke Times.
Morant, who had attracted the interest of Maryland and Marshall, rushed for 454 yards and also had 14 receptions for 156 yards, with eight touchdowns. He was an All-Peninsula District selection on defense.
In other recruiting, James Madison received a commitment from All-Group AAA linebacker Jeremy McCommons from Richlands High School. McCommons, a 6-foot, 225-pounder, was 34th on The Roanoke Times' list.
Also, VMI received commitments from teammates Robbie Chenault and Matt Walton from Lee-Davis High School (12-1) in Mechanicsville. Walton was named first-team All-Group AAA by the coaches as a wide receiver; Chenault, a quarterback, was intercepted only three times in 13 games.
Rutgers, whose coaching change contributed to a late start in recruiting, reportedly received commitments from a pair of Richmond-area high school players, quarterback Michael Jones from Douglas Freeman High School and defensive end Raishard Crawford from Huguenot.
LENGTH: Medium: 56 linesby CNB