Ad blocker detected: Our website is made possible by displaying online advertisements to our visitors. Please consider supporting us by disabling your ad blocker on our website.
As we get stories on signing day, bring them here:
One of the QBs is in as well:
McCracken headed to Liberty
Richland News Press
Wednesday, February 7, 2007
By DAVE COX/Staff
Seated from left: Kim McCracken, Justin McCracken and Randall McCracken. Standing: Jeff Tarter, Dennis Palmer, Greg Mance, Karen Webb, Brad Strong and Ronnie Davis. (BILL PATTON PHOTO)
(Bill Patton)
Justin McCracken will not be playing football at Richlands this fall, but the senior quarterback will definitely be familiar with where he will be playing during his college career!
McCracken has signed to play at Liberty University in Lynchburg. That’s the same field where McCracken and his teammates captured the 2006 state Group AA, Division 3 football championship against Rockbridge back in December. The Blues also played at the Liberty field in 2005 for the state title where they came up short against Ashby Turner.
It was fairly well known during his visit to Lynchburg this past December that McCracken had his sights set on Liberty University as his college choice and he made it official during National Signing Day today when he inked the official papers during a ceremony held at the Richlands High School library before several school officials, family, friends and members of the press.
“The campus atmosphere (at Liberty) is just amazing and the coaching staff is hands down the best that (you) could ask for,” said McCracken of his choice. “It’s a Christian school and the coaches have been straight up with me and I think their football program is growing. I think it’s going to be a great place to play football.”
While McCracken is not sure just yet if he’ll be red-shirted his freshman year, he is sure of one thing and that’s his position. He will definitely be playing quarterback, the same job he filled during his high school career.
A close look at his senior high school numbers would certainly oppress any college coach that cared to look at them, and there were many! McCracken had talked to Concord, Ferrum, Emory and Henry, Tennessee, Virginia and Alabama among others before deciding on Liberty.
During his senior season, McCracken, a two-time All State player, completed 160-of-241 passes for 2610 yards and 30 touchdowns. He also ran for 488 yards and scored another 13 touchdowns on the ground. The 2610 passing yards is a school record. The old record of 1701 yards was set in 2005 by McCracken. The talented player threw for over 200 yards in seven games last season and threw for at least three touchdowns in six games in ’06.
“He’s somebody we’re very proud of,” said Greg Mance, head football coach at RHS. “He’s been an ambassador for our football program and he’s taken us to another level. Without him, we could not have done what we did. It’s been a pleasure for me to coach him. He’s been a special player and a tremendous young man in our program and we want to wish him the best of luck.”
McCracken resides in the Cliffield community with is parents Randall and Kim and his sister Candida.
Three area football plays sign letters to play in college
JOHN LEMBO
Herald Staff Writer
BRADENTON - Latravis Washington had this in his head during all those long, uphill runs, and during all those extra hours of practice.
This morning, he got to put it on paper.
Washington, a senior at Bayshore, was the first area athlete to sign a letter of intent when he made his commitment to a University of Nebraska official.
"(Coaches) told me, 'You have to bust your butt if you want to be a top Division I player,'" Washington said. "I was like, 'Whatever it takes, man, whatever it takes...I've gotta sign, I've gotta sign. That would help my family, and that would make my family so proud of me.'"
"It's just a blessing from God, just to be here."
Washington committed to the Cornhuskers in early December. He split time at quarterback and defensive back in high school, but will be used primarily in the defensive backfield when he gets to Lincoln.
"I didn't go to the sleep until about 12:30, 1 (Tuesday night)," Washington said. "All that hard work I did, all that sweat, it finally paid off. And I'm so happy."
Roughly an hour later than Washington's signing, at Manatee High, Austin Jensen and Spencer Hodges sat side-by-side in the principal's office and signed their letters, with Jensen off to Florida Atlantic and Hodges to Liberty University.
Jensen, a linebacker in high school who will play safety for the Owls, and Hodges, an offensive lineman, are longtime friends who helped the Hurricanes to consecutive trips to the Class 5A state semifinals. That's what made Wednesday morning so special for them - as nice as it was to sign, what made it better was that Jensen and Hodges did it with a good friend.
"A lot better," Jensen said. "It's better than some stranger."
"It was a goal, definitely," Hodges said of heading to a Division I school. "It's like the next chapter, that next step...You're kind of ready to start all over again."
Good haul of players coming in. All of these guys are going to get some time to shine in this program. Can't really see anyone other than Hodges contributing this season, though.
Liberty University Head Football Coach Danny Rocco has announced the signing of 11 players to national letters of intent for the 2007-08 academic year.
“We are very excited about this year’s signing class,” stated Rocco. “This is a very talented group of players which we have assembled, allowing us to upgrade our talent pool at several different positions.
“We set out to make a mark in the state of Virginia and compete with the other I-AA programs in the state. We have signed eight players from Virginia and all of them had options at either the I-A or I-AA levels. We think this speaks volumes for where our program is at and where we are heading in the future.”
Of the 11 players, seven are slated to play on the offensive side of the ball (2 QB, 2 OL, 2 TE, 1 RB), three are defensive players (2 LB and 1 DB) and one player could play on either sides of the field (DB or WR).
This marks Rocco’s second recruiting class at Liberty. The Big South Coach of the Year guided Liberty to a 6-5 record in his inaugural season last fall, marking a five-game win improvement over 2005 which ranked tied for the nation’s best turnabout from the previous year.
Listed below are the 11 members of the 2007 Liberty University Football Signing Class:
Patrick Bannon – LB, 6-4, 235, Lexington, Va./Rockbridge County High School
Three-year letterwinner for the Wildcats … finished his career with 424 tackles, 25 tackles for a loss, seven forced fumbles and pass break-ups, five blocked kicks, three sacks, two interceptions and a fumble recovery … also added 23 receptions for 336 yards and five touchdowns during his career … all-district first-team selection as a junior … AP All-State, All-Timesland and all-district second-team honoree during his junior year … named Valley District Defensive Player of the Year as a senior linebacker … finished the year with 152 tackles, 15 tackles for a loss and four sacks … AP All-State, All-Timesland, All-Region and All-District first-team honoree as a senior … is rated 41st on the Top 100 seniors list in the state of Virginia.
Mike Brown –QB, 6-0, 185, Charlottesville, Va./Monticello High School
Four-year letterwinner … two-time Monticello Most Valuable Player … All-Central Virginia first-team (quarterback) and All-Jefferson District second-team (defensive back) selections as a sophomore ... All-Jefferson District second-team honoree at quarterback, defensive back and punter as a junior … All-Central Virginia first-team utility player as a senior at quarterback, defensive back and punter … named Falcon Club Player of the Year as a senior … All-Jefferson District first-team (defensive back) and second-team (quarterback and punt returner) as a senior … also a four-year letterwinner in baseball and basketball … captained both the football and basketball team in his final three prep seasons …joined the 1,000 career point club in basketball as a senior … three-time member of the academic honor roll … three-time recipient of the VHSL Academic Excellence award … National Honor Society member.
Larry Clairborne – DB, 6-1, 175, Ringgold, Va./GW Danville High School
Two-year letterwinner at defensive back … finished his junior year with 38 solo tackles … posted 58 solo stops as a senior, plus seven interceptions and seven pass break-ups … all-district and all-region first-team honoree as a senior … also named to the all-state second team during his senior year … honor roll student.
Michael Connolly – OLB, 6-3, 242, Sarasota, Fla./Cardinal Mooney High School
Four-year letterwinner … two-year varsity starter … member of an undefeated freshman team … posted 45 tackles, 10 sacks, three pass break-ups and a safety as a freshman … started with the junior varsity team as a sophomore, recording 50 tackles, 10 sacks, five pass break-ups and three forced fumbles … selected team’s Most Valuable Defensive Lineman as a junior … posted 67 tackles, 11 sacks, six pass break-ups, three forced fumbles and a defensive touchdown as a junior … helped Cardinal Mooney High School to a district and regional championship as a senior and the state semifinals … all-area second-team honoree as a senior … was selected to the Pal Bowl All-Star game as a senior after finishing the year with 25 tackles, six sacks and two forced fumbles … selected his team’s Most Inspirational Player as a senior as he returned from ACL surgery in less than five months to play in the final five games of the year … varsity basketball starter … seven-year member of an AAU basketball team … named to the honor roll six-straight semesters … National Honor Society member … Key Club … has an athletic background as his uncle, Larry Henshaw, played tight end for Lehigh and was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles.
Spencer Hodges – OL, 6-6, 292, Bradenton, Fla./Manatee High School
Four-year letterwinner … started at offensive tackle as a freshman … junior varsity team captain as a sophomore … started with the varsity team at left tackle as a junior and senior … helped Manatee High School to back-to-back Class 5A district titles during his junior and senior years … state semifinalist both seasons … all-state first-team offensive lineman as a senior … finished his senior year with 50 pancakes, including 13 in a single game … all-district track honoree in the shot put.
Ricky Jenkins – TE, 6-3, 230, Fort Washington, Md./Friendly High School
Three-year letterwinner at tight end and long snapper … was a member of the Friendly High School state championship team in 2006 … is ranked as the third-best tight end in the state of Maryland by Rivals.com … ranks 42nd in the nation as a tight end by Scout.com … indoor track athlete which helped break the state 4x200 meter record in 2005 … National Honor Roll … Who’s Who Among High School Students.
LaRandale Lee – DB/WR, 6-0, 175, Newport News, Va./Heritage
Two-year letterwinner … recorded 40 tackles, seven pass break-ups and six interceptions as a junior … added 15 catches for 251 yards and two touchdowns during his junior year … All-Peninsula District honorable-mention selection as a junior … capped off his high school career by posting 56 tackles, nine interceptions, four pass break-ups, two forced fumbles and a defensive touchdown as a senior … added 19 catches for 347 yards and two touchdowns during his senior year … All-Peninsula District first-team defensive back selection and All- Peninsula District second-team wide receiver selection.
Justin McCracken – QB, 6-3, 195, Cedar Bluff, Va./Richlands High School
Two-year letterwinner ... threw for 1,701 yards as a junior and was named to the All-Southwest District and All-Region IV first teams and VHSCA All-State second team … scattered his own school record by throwing for 2,610 yards as a senior … posted a 66.3 completion percentage as a senior (160-of-241) and threw for 27 touchdowns in leading Richlands to an undefeated season and a state title … completed 20-of-32 pass attempts for 176 yards and two touchdowns against Rockbridge in the 2006 VHSL championship game hosted by Liberty University at Williams Stadium … named Player of the Year by All-Southwest District, All-Region IV, Wautauga Orthopedics, All-Four Season County, Pocahontas Coal Association and the All-State VHSCA … All-State VHSCA and AP all-state first-team honoree as a senior.
Shay Nicholson – RB, 5-11, 210, Staunton, Va./Robert E. Lee High School
Four-year letterwinner … rushed for 985 yards on 99 carries (9.9 average) for 13 touchdowns as a junior … named to the all-district and all-region teams during his junior season … capped off his prep career in grand fashion as he rushed for 1,532 yards on 181 carries (8.5 average) and 25 touchdowns … Staunton Daily News Offensive Player of the Year as a senior … all-district first-team and all-region II second-team honoree as a senior … was a state qualifier in the 55 meters in track as a junior … finished second in the region and seventh in the state in the 100 meters.
Tommy Shaver – TE, 6-6, 240, Hot Springs, Va./Bath County High School
Three-year letterwinner … All-Region “C” first-team and all-state honorable mention as a tight end during his junior year … caught 17 passes for 283 yards and a touchdown as a junior … also added 88 tackles, 4.5 sacks, nine tackles for a loss, an interception and a fumble recovery as a linebacker during his junior year … named to the VirginiaPreps.com “Hot 100” list and the Roanoke Times “Elite Eleven” squad as a senior … all-district first-team and All-Region “C” second-team honoree as a senior … posted career numbers in his final year at Bath County with 35 receptions for 438 yards and eight touchdowns at tight end … also added 88 tackles at linebacker.
Toney White – OL, 6-5, 280, Manassas Park, Va./Manassas Park High School
Three-year letterwinner … member of the junior varsity team as a freshman … helped Manassas Park to a perfect 14-0 record en route to region, district and state championships as a sophomore … all-district second-team offensive tackle during his sophomore season … guided Manassas Park to a state runner-up title with a 13-1 mark as a junior … all-district, all-region and all-state first-team defensive tackle with 60 tackles and five sacks as a junior … also was a all-district first-team and all-region second-team selection at offensive tackle as a junior … all-district, all-region, all-state first-team offensive tackle as a senior … all-district and all-region first-team defensive tackle as a senior … was No. 59 on Roanoke Times’ Top 100 Virginia recruits list.
A small but good class which is what was expected. Question: Why was Chris Johnson taken off of the list of recruits/transferes? Is he an academic casualty or did he leave? It is a shame to lose Hart but it looks like McCraken has some pretty good numbers for the div 3 state champs.
By Chris Lang
Lynchburg News & Advance
February 8, 2007
It's amazing what a state of the art operations center and three straight wins to end the season will do for a football program.
Liberty recruiting coordinator Charlie Skalaski found that out when he hit the road in Virginia this winter, chatting up the state's high school coaches.
"It was nice to be able to go around this state and be treated with some respect," Skalaski said.
With that respect comes results in recruiting. Of the 11 athletes in Liberty's 2007 signing class, eight are from the Commonwealth.
Liberty also signed two players from Florida and one from Maryland.
Upon getting a good look at the new recruiting class Wednesday, Liberty coach Danny Rocco backpedaled on a statement he made in November, when he said he wanted to redshirt every member of the class.
"There's too much talent in this group to move forward with that type of an attitude," Rocco said. "I've told them all, 'if you're ready, I'm ready.'"
The signees with the most immediate potential are the Floridians, offensive lineman Spencer Hodges and linebacker Michael Connolly.
Hodges received interest from a number of FBS schools, including full-ride offers from Texas Tech and Kansas.
A knee injury in the second round of last year's playoffs scared off some schools, but he still was highly sought after due to his 6-foot-6, 292-pound size.
Skalaski said when he first visited Hodges at Bradenton's Manatee High School, the coaching staff told him there was no chance Hodges would sign with a FCS school.
But Hodges aspires to be a youth pastor, and coupled with Liberty's massively improved facilities, that convinced Hodges to attend LU. He also brought along a friend.
Connolly, a 6-3, 242-pounder from Cardinal Mooney High School in Sarasota, played defensive end in high school but will play outside linebacker at LU. Connolly had an offer from Kansas, and Virginia Tech offered him a three-year scholarship.
Hodges and Connolly became friends while going through the recruiting process, so when Hodges chose LU, Connolly followed.
The other out-of-stater, tight end Ricky Jenkins, won a state title at Friendly High School in Maryland. He had several FBS offers, but he suffered a torn ACL during his senior year, scaring off some suitors.
Instead of recruiting for specific positions, Rocco tried to fill needs in four different categories.
He wanted big bodies, and got those in Hodges, tight end Tommy Shaver (Bath County) and lineman Toney White (Manassas Park).
Shaver is a 6-6, 240-pounder who also played defensive end. Skalaski, noting that Shaver was still growing into his frame, said he couldn't wait to see what LU strength coach Bill Gillespie would do with Shaver.
"He's still a puppy from the waist up," Skalaski said.
"He'll be a monster by the time this thing is over."
Rocco wanted two quarterbacks, and Richland's Justin McCracken and Monticello's Mike Brown signed.
He wanted skilled athletes, and found them in Jenkins, Larry Claiborne (GW-Danville), Shay Nicholson (Lee-Staunton) and LaRandale Lee (Heritage-Newport News).
Rocco also wanted run-and-hit linebackers who would fit into the Flames' 3-4 scheme.
Connolly and Pat Bannon (Rockbridge County) fit that bill.
PREP FOOTBALL: MHS quartet signs on the dotted line
By Barney Breen-Portnoy / Daily Progress correspondent
February 8, 2007
Classes may have been canceled Wednesday, but that did not prevent four Monticello senior football players from coming to school to sign National Letters of Intent in front of a group of family and friends.
Mike Brown will attend Liberty University in the fall, while Rod Jackson will enroll at Bucknell. Chris Mantell and Paul Myers inked letters to play at Southern Virginia University.
Brown was a standout performer for the Mustangs as both a quarterback and a safety. On defense, he led Monticello in tackles this season (including five for losses), forced seven fumbles and pulled in one interception.
From under center, he passed for 1,255 yards and 15 touchdowns and finished his career as one of Central Virginia’s most prolific passers.
“Liberty’s program is growing and it’s going in a positive direction,” Brown said. “I like all the coaches and the facilities are nice.”
Bicknell is confident that Liberty will find use for Brown.
“I think that he is going to be an exciting player,” Bicknell said. “When he stops playing basketball and baseball and just concentrates on being a football player, I think that his upside is very great. He’s going to go in there with the idea to battle for the starting quarterback job. He’ll find a way to get on the field.
“That, along with his determination and leadership, will be an outstanding addition for their program.”
Cardinal Mooney football stars sign up with colleges
DOUGLAS A. KAID
Herald Staff Writer
The Cardinal Mooney High football team enjoyed one of the most successful seasons in school history last fall, so it was little surpise National Signing Day was a busy one for the Cougars.
Hunter Ovens, a Bradenton resident, signed with Virginia Tech, while teammates Mike Connolly (Liberty) and Tommy McCabe (Bucknell) also made their college intentions known.
Connolly talked about tearing his ACL, playing 7-on-7 football in the summer at North Port High School. He remembers lying on his back near the end zone and the first thing that popped into his mind was losing his chance at a college scholarship.
But Connolly returned in time for the stretch run of the Cougars dream season and 17 colleges offered him scholarships. He chose Liberty, where he will room with Manatee's Spencer Hodges, who attended Connolly's signing ceremony.
The Flames, a 1-AA team, will use Connolly, a defensive end in high school, as an outside linebacker in their 3-4 defensive alignment.
"I could have gone with Hunter, but my playing at Virginia Tech might have not been the best for my future," said Connolly, wearing an Liberty University T-shirt. "I still wonder what would have happened without the injury, if I could have had 25-30 (offers) from different schools."
Lee's college pick-six
Half-dozen Leemen set to continue football careers
By Chris Lassiter
Sports Writer
STAUNTON — College football coaches who made their way to Staunton this season must have liked what they saw.
Wearing a navy Liberty University hat, Nicholson, Lee's amazing tailback, made his scholarship with the Flames official.
An all-Region II running back, Nicholson rushed for 1,532 yards as a senior while scoring 25 times.
"I remember for years watching 'ESPN Signing Day,'" said Nicholson, whose parents and family members were present to watch him sign. "Then I got my letter in the mail. I finally got what I've always wanted. It feels so good."
Wildcats' linebacker stays put in middle
Bannon signs with Liberty
By Ken Bosserman
Sports Writer
LEXINGTON — Patrick Bannon saw an opportunity at middle linebacker, and he took it Wednesday.
The Rockbridge County senior inked full scholarship papers to Liberty University at his high school in front of family and friends on the sport's national signing day.
John Palmer Gregg/The News Leader Rockbridge County's Patrick Bannon pulls down Justin McCracken of Richlands [* Sly - How is that for irony? *] during the Dec. 9 VHSL Group AA, Division 3 state championship game at Liberty University.
The 6-foot-4, 235-pound senior, who is the Valley District's defensive player of the year and a first-team Group AA all-state selection, chose the Lynchburg school over William and Mary, Richmond and Virginia Military Institute.
"The facilities were nicer than the other schools, and I liked the location and the coaches," Bannon said. "And Liberty has an up-and-coming program."
Bannon, who was a second-team all-state tight end as a junior, also saw an opening to play middle linebacker.
"I'll be second-string middle linebacker at least, and definitely will see some playing time," he said. "I feel really comfortable being in the middle. It's one of the main reasons I chose Liberty."
Bannon set Rockbridge single-game records with 21 tackles and two blocked kicks against Martinsburg, W.Va.. He set a school season record with 153 tackles as a senior. As a junior, he blocked a record three field goals and PATs.
He's also the school's career record holder with 424 tackles, seven caused fumbles and five blocked field goals or PATs.
"I feel it is a perfect fit," Rockbridge coach Jason White said of Bannon's selection. "Middle linebacker is natural for him. He has a nose for the ball. He can get off the block and make tackles. That's something you don't see that much in high school football."
The Rockbridge senior, who also has been a four-year member of the school's wrestling team, knows the college game will be a challenge.
"I have to increase my speed and strength," said Bannon, who plans to study engineering. "(Liberty) wants me to begin my workout regimen."
Here's another story on McCracken from the Bluefield fishwrap:
McCracken signs with Liberty
By BRIAN WOODSON
Bluefield Daily Telegraph
RICHLANDS, Va. — Williams Stadium at Liberty University will always hold fond memories for Justin McCracken.
Now he hopes to add a few more memories on the same field.
McCracken signed on the dotted line at Richlands High School on Wednesday morning, committing himself to attend college and play football at Liberty University.
“It’s a big relief. I have had this dream since I was a young little kid, like 5-or-6-years-old,” McCracken said. “You feel more complete now with a state championship and knowing you’re graduating at the end of this year and now you’re going to college.”
Liberty and McCracken have a special connection. McCracken felt it when he visited the school on recruiting visits, and definitely felt it on Dec. 9 when the Blue Tornado defeated Rockbridge County 29-28 to win the Group AA, Division 3 state championship.
“I went up there actually to watch them play and it was a totally different atmosphere,” McCracken said. “It was different than I thought it would be. I could feel the excitement, much like at the state championship game. It just felt like home.”
The recruiting process took McCracken as far away as the University of Alabama and the University of Virginia. He also had discussions with Tennessee, Concord, Emory & Henry, Ferrum and Virginia Military Institute, but Liberty in Lynchburg, Va., struck him as the place to be.
“I have to say it was probably the personality of Liberty and how the college represents itself,” McCracken said. “The coaches are outstanding, I watched them in some games and met the players. The team is growing each and every day and I would just like to be a part of it.”
Liberty, which has produced such NFL players as Eric Green, Samkon Gado and Dwayne Carswell, is a Division 1-AA program that has aspirations to move to 1-A. No matter what the Flames do, McCracken wants to be part of it.
“I guess that could have a little bit of a play in it, but I just wanted to be a part of that program,” McCracken said. “It is growing and the coaching staff is amazing.”
That was proven last season. The Flames, under new head coach Danny Rocco, finished 6-5, a vast improvement over the 1-10 record that Liberty compiled in 2005. Liberty finished tied for second in the Big South Conference, and tied for the best turnaround in the nation.
McCracken is already preparing for his college career, working just as hard now as he always did for the Tornado.
“I’ve been lifting and trying to get ready for college so it won’t take too long to get where I can play,” McCracken said. “As a freshman, my goal is to work as hard as I can and give it all I can, and hopefully by my sophomore or junior year, I might be able to come in and play.”
The 6-foot-4, 210-pound McCracken said he was being recruited as a quarterback, and wasn’t sure how soon he could get on the field.
“They really haven’t said anything about redshirting or playing as a true freshman,” McCracken said. “It just depends on my work ethic, which has always been pretty strong in my weightlifting and conditioning.
“It is going to be a big change. You have to start at the bottom of the food chain and work your work up.”
McCracken completed a remarkable two seasons as the quarterback at Richlands, leading the Blue Tornado to a 27-1 record and two trips to the state title game. He threw for more than 4,300 yards and 53 touchdowns, and also ran for nearly 1,400 yards and 29 more scores.
As a senior, McCracken passed for 2,607 yards and 32 scores, and also ran for 488 yards and 13 more touchdowns. McCracken also served as the long snapper on punts, and wasn’t shy about making a tackle on the other end of those kicks.
Even though McCracken will slip on a different helmet when he plays football again, he’ll always have a soft spot in his heart for the Blue Tornado.
“This town has been so supportive of this football team,” said McCracken, who plans to major in business, and also says coaching is in his future. “The students here have been so fired up the past two years that I have started, and the principal, the school board, the coaches, they’re all great down here.
“They teach you to win. We have great coaches, a great town and a great school and that is hard to come by.”
McCracken can’t wait to play his first game on the turf of Williams Stadium. At least as a member of the Liberty Flames.
“Winning the state championship is the ultimate memory, that was just great.” McCracken said. “During the signing today, they had reruns of the state game on TV.
“That is something that I can think about when I’m playing a game there, ‘Hey, I won a state championship on this same field.’”
- By thecomeback
- By jmclaughlin