ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, February 10, 1996 TAG: 9602120069
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
COLUMN: Doug Doughty
SOURCE: DOUG DOUGHTY
Nothing was a bigger boost to recruiting than Virginia Tech's victory over Texas in the Sugar Bowl or Virginia's upset of then-No.2 Florida State.
Or, so one would think.
In conversations with football signees from both schools, it becomes apparent that no single game had a tremendous impact on recruiting.
That's good, if you're a Tech or UVa fan.
The recruiting success that the teams have started enjoying is the result of their continued prosperity on the field - nine straight seasons of seven or more wins for Virginia, three straight bowl trips for the Hokies.
The teams have been in the rankings nearly every week. They're on TV. They've had some big victories. Their names are out there now.
The Sugar Bowl wasn't the first time anybody had heard of Tech; the same kids who watched the Virginia-Florida State game had probably seen the Cavaliers battle Michigan.
There are those who think it was the best recruiting year ever for the state's Division I-A programs. In terms of name recruits, that might be the case. But, I'm not sure I agree.
There's something missing in both classes - a franchise quarterback. When the Cavaliers and Hokies signed Shawn Moore and Maurice DeShazo, respectively, they knew they probably had at least a three-year starter.
Next year, both programs figure to have a fifth-year senior at quarterback, holdover Jim Druckenmiller for the Hokies and 1995 back-up Tim Sherman for Virginia. The line of succession is clear behind them, Al Clark for Tech and Aaron Brooks for UVa - both touted, neither tested.
The Hokies signed two quarterbacks - David Meyer, who suffered a season-ending collarbone injury in the fifth game; and Nick Sorensen, who lost his coach before the season and didn't approach his junior numbers. Virginia quarterback signee David Rivers did not start until his senior year.
Meyer could be another Druckenmiller. Rivers could be another Mike Groh, who emerged as a fourth-year senior and led the Cavaliers to back-to-back nine-win seasons. But they're hardly ``can't-miss'' prospects.
In all fairness, there were almost no Division I-caliber quarterbacks in Virginia this year (Andre Kendrick, the All-Group AAA selection, will move to another position at Tech). There will be an assortment in next year's senior class - enough for Tech and UVa each to grab one.
Tech and UVa signed so many defensive backs this year that it's a wonder there were any left for anybody else. Of the 29 players who plan to play in Blacksburg - some may not arrive until January 1997 - eight are seen as prospects in the secondary.
At least seven of Virginia's 19 signees will get a tryout in the secondary and, at last word, the Cavaliers were on the lookout for one more. A true freshman could push for a starting job if safety Adrian Burnim, reportedly on academic probation, does not regain his eligibility by the fall.
UVa's recruiting class was ranked fourth in the ACC by SuperPrep magazine, which had the Cavaliers 15th in the country, the highest they have been ranked by that publication. Publisher Allen Wallace said he had the Hokies fifth in the Big East; another publication, G&W, had the Hokies fourth.
Certainly, Tech's in-state recruiting class was comparable to Virginia's. The Cavaliers had three of the top six prospects in the state, as rated by The Roanoke Times, but Tech had more players off the Top 25, eight. Carl Bradley, Robert Adams and Floridian Corey Storr are the nucleus of Tech's defensive line of the future.
When it appeared Tech might sign Parade All-America running back Damone Boone from West Springfield, at least one Hokies' fan asked why UVa recruit Thomas Jones was rated ahead of Boone. Easy. Jones had a better junior year, he was bigger and he qualified academically. That won't necessarily make him a better college player, but that made him more attractive going into his senior year, when most evaluations are made.
Recruiting rankings are generally based on who is recruiting a player, rather than an in-person evaluation of a player's ability. Northwestern, Kansas State and Tech all finished in The Associated Press top 10, but you'll rarely see them included in a list of schools with the best recruiting years.
Few teams signed as many players as Tech, which announced 28 signees and has told Virginia Beach offensive tackle Troy Smith that he will have a scholarship in 1997. Bigger isn't always better in recruiting, but sometimes it is.
For evidence of that, look no further than the eight-man Tech basketball recruiting class of 1991-92. There wasn't a high-school All-American in the bunch, but six players have been major contributors for an 18-2 Hokies' team that has been flirting with the top 10.
It may be that the full effect of Tech's Sugar Bowl appearance in football won't be felt until the upcoming recruiting season. The Hokies, who were late in recognizing a trend toward early commitments in 1994-95, had seven players commit this year before the first game.
Would it have been a better year if Tech hadn't made so many offers by the time the Sugar Bowl bid came in late November? Maybe so. But the same people who questioned Tech's tactics in '94-95 have no cause to find fault this year. The Hokies changed with the times.
Doug Doughty covers recruiting for The Roanoke Times.
LENGTH: Medium: 94 linesby CNB