ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, February 8, 1996 TAG: 9602080027
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DOUG DOUGHTY STAFF WRITER
Maryland's early lead proved too much for Virginia Tech to overcome in the recruiting of West Springfield running back Damone Boone, who signed Wednesday with the Terrapins.
West Springfield football coach Frank Creneti said he spoke with Boone upon his return from Maryland on Sunday night and met with him Tuesday, when he gave him a list of questions to take home. However, Boone gave no indication where he was leaning.
``I think there were two determining factors,'' said Creneti after Boone's announcement. ``One was the closeness to home. Secondly, he felt really comfortable with the coaching staff.
``That's not to say he wasn't comfortable with the Tech coaches. He was thinking Maryland before he went to Tech (from Jan. 25-27), but his visit to Tech put him in a real quandary. If things hadn't gone right at Maryland, I think Tech's where he would have gone.''
Boone, a 5-foot-9, 175-pounder, was chosen to the Parade All-America team after a senior year in which he rushed for 2,635 yards and 30 touchdowns. He was the state Group AAA player of the year.
Boone was rated the No. 9 prospect in Virginia by The Roanoke Times.
Boone and No. 7 Plaxico Burress from Green Run in Virginia were the lone uncommitted players on The Roanoke Times Top 25 before Wednesday, the start of the signing period. Burress eventually signed with Michigan State but did not take part in a ceremony at which five Green Run teammates signed Division I grants.
``To be honest with you, I didn't like it at all,'' Green Run coach Cadillac Harris said. ``It's hard to believe you can go from September until now, narrow it to two schools and then have trouble putting the pen to the paper, but that's kids for you.''
Harris said he expects as many as 10 Green Run players to receive scholarships - ``That's got to be the all-time record,'' he said - including 6-4, 255-pound offensive tackle Troy Smith, who said he has been promised a letter-of-intent with Virginia Tech after he enrolls in January 1997.
Tech released a list of 28 recruits, all of whom had committed publicly. The NCAA limit is 25, but two junior-college transfers have enrolled and will count against Tech's 1995 quota, and at least one will enroll in January 1997.
``This is an exceptional recruiting class for Virginia Tech,'' coach Frank Beamer said in a statement released by the school. ``We have built our program around players who have speed and quickness, and this group has more of the same.''
Virginia's list included 18 of the 20 players who had made public commitments. The two players not on the list were linebacker Chris Morant, whose signature is expected today, and defensive end Stephon McQueen, whose status is in question.
``Our needs were definitely in the skilled positions,'' coach George Welsh said, ``and that's where we have almost half the class. We hope they have speed. I think that's what separates a lot of them. At wideout and especially defensive back, I could see three or four playing as freshmen.''
Tech signed eight players off the Top 25, one less than its previous high established in 1990. Virginia signed six Top 25 players, including three of the top six.
Players from The Roanoke Times coverage area who signed letters-of-intent with Division I-A programs included Pulaski County place-kicker Shayne Graham with Tech, Pulaski County running back Jawan Clark with North Carolina State and Bassett defensive lineman DeVone Claybrooks with East Carolina.
LENGTH: Medium: 69 lines ILLUSTRATION: GRAPHIC: Chart by staff: Signing them up. color.by CNB