The state of Virginia is back on the national scene talent-wise, boasting the strongest field of prospects since the famed 2002 class. Overall, this class compares favorably with 2002. Although they may not have the talent 2002 had at the top, the depth in this class from one through twenty (or even twenty-five) is excellent.

Defensive end is one of the strongest positions this year, as six potential d-end prospects have made the Top 30. Sprinkle in top skill position athletes, linebackers, and some solid offensive line targets and you have a good deal of versatility throughout the class.

The headliner for the class of 2005 is Highland Springs tailback/cornerback Victor "Macho" Harris. The 6-0, 180 pound Harris has already been marked as a five-star prospect by Rivals.com. His offer total (over 40) is by far the most in the class, and for good reason. Harris is exceptional on both sides of the ball and could easily play either of his positions on the next level.

Currently second on the Top 30 is Phoebus work-horse running back Elan Lewis. Lewis is one of the most productive players in the state. As a junior, he rushed for 2,474 yards and 39 touchdowns. He made Peninsula District history last year in becoming the first player to rush for over 2,000 yards in 10 regular season games. Although he is probably only 5-9 or so, Lewis shows awesome strength within his 210 pound frame and good speed. His best asset may be his natural running ability.

Speaking of productive, number three on our list is all-everything quarterback Vic Hall. Hall, who amassed a Virginia High School League-record 4,434 yards of total offense in leading the Gretna Hawks to the Division 3 state title, was named Group AA player of the year. He completed 167 of 250 passes for 2,769 yards and 31 touchdowns in 2003. He also ran for 1,665 yards and 25 TDs. Look for another great season in 2004 for Hall, who’s looking to lead Gretna to back-to-back state titles.

The anchor of Landstown High School’s defense is linebacker Deveon Simmons, who comes in at number four. Simmons, a 6-1, 208 pound prospect who has the speed to play safety on the next level, is a devastating hitter. He tallied 91 tackles, including an awesome 42 tackles-for-loss as a junior. Simmons was a first-team AP all-state performer last season.

Rounding out the top five is Centreville offensive tackle Pat Sheil. Sheil has great size at 6-7, 260, and shows excellent athleticism. His combination of size and athleticism has drawn offers from some of the nation’s best, including Miami and Oklahoma. Sheil only played along the defensive line as a junior, however is considered a top prospect as an offensive tackle, which is the position he will play as a senior this year. Sheil could be considered a "jumbo athlete," a term that applies to many of the top prospects in the Top 30.

1 – TB/CB Victor Harris – 6-0, 180 pounds, Highland Springs
Harris shows excellent ability as either a tailback or cornerback. He has the total package – breakaway speed, quickness, and elusiveness.

2 – TB Elan Lewis – 5-9, 210 pounds, Phoebus
A tough, strong runner, Lewis is tough to bring down and wears on a defensive throughout an entire game. He shows quick feet and the ability to cut in traffic.

4 – LB/S Deveon Simmons – 6-1, 208 pounds, Landstown
The best hitter in the class of 2005. Simmons plays like a missile, darting in to make devastating hits on opponents.
Committed to Virginia Tech

5 – OT Pat Sheil – 6-7, 260 pounds, Centreville
Sheil impressed everyone with an outstanding Charlottesville Nike Camp performance this spring. His athleticism has schools loving his potential as an offensive tackle.

6 – DE Jeffrey Fitzgerald – 6-4, 250 pounds, Hermitage
Fitzgerald’s ability to use his hands is most impressive. He pushes blockers aside and then shows the closing speed and athleticism to make the play. Fitzgerald is a very good tight end prospect as well.

7 – ATH Greg Boone – 6-4, 250 pounds, Oscar Smith
Boone is a true athlete who has the ability to play quarterback, linebacker, defensive end, or tight end on the next level. As a quarterback, he is strong in the pocket and shows a strong arm. He shows his athleticism by playing safety on defense.

8 – LB Darryl Gresham – 6-3, 230 pounds, William Fleming
In only his first season ever playing linebacker, Gresham made over 150 tackles, including 21 in the state championship game, last season as a junior. He plays sideline-to-sideline and knows how to hit.
Committed to Virginia

10 – WR Todd Nolen – 6-3, 175 pounds, Hampton
Nolen is the top wide receiver in this year’s class. He’s long and lanky and has the ability to go up and make the difficult catch. Nolen is a tough competitor with great speed.

11 – DE/TE Antonio Appleby – 6-4, 230 pounds, Salem
Effective on offense and defense, the athletic Appleby could be a good tight end or defensive end on the next level. He’s athletic enough to play linebacker as well. Appleby’s soft hands and good speed make him a major threat on offense, but look for his athleticism to be used on defense in college.
Committed to Virginia

13 – CB Jamar Jackson – 5-9, 190 pounds, Bethel
Jackson’s anticipation and athleticism have helped him accumulate 17 interceptions over the past two seasons. He made nine picks as a junior last season.

14 – OL Tony North – 6-4, 310 pounds, North Stafford
North is very fast for his size. He has excellent potential as an offensive lineman on the next level because of his size, speed, and quick feet.
Committed to Virginia Tech

15 – DE Steven Friday – 6-5, 215 pounds, Phoebus
Friday is a bit lanky however he is tough, strong, and a tremendous competitor out on the field. He has the ability to play linebacker or defensive end in college. He plays middle linebacker on occasion in high school.

20 – DT Joseph Johnson – 6-2, 330 pounds, Varina
If Johnson can keep his weight down, he is an excellent prospect as a defensive tackle. Johnson shows a lot of potential with his footwork and speed, however needs to improve his strength. The potential appears to be there.

22 – DB Kavell Connor – 6-2, 208 pounds, Manchester
The biggest question with Kavell is what position he plays on the next level. He compares favorably physically with Jason Snelling, who also came out of the Dominion District (LC Bird). Connor could be a defensive back but could play linebacker depending on how much weight he can add. He could play fullback as well.

24 – QB Jameel Sewell – 6-3, 190 pounds, Hermitage
The tall lefty with a good arm hopes to build upon a solid junior season – his first on the varsity level. Sewell looks natural sitting in the pocket but has the ability to break a big play with his legs as well. He shows good pocket presence and accuracy.

25 – QB/ATH Cody Brodus – 6-2, 205 pounds, Warwick
Last season was Brodus’ first playing quarterback. Though he is very raw as a QB, Brodus has a strong arm. A good athlete, Brodus could also end up playing safety on defense.

28 – QB Bobby Rome – 6-1, 210 pounds, Granby
Rome is a big-time playmaker for Granby. A dual threat, he has big-play ability as a runner and a passer. As a passer, Rome has a very strong arm and solid accuracy.

29 – DE Andrew Lewis – 6-2, 250 pounds, Centreville
A good athlete, Lewis’ quickness off the edge compensates for his lack of size as a defensive end. He is a good pass rusher.

30 – TB Justin Carrington – 6-1, 200 pounds, Liberty (Bealeton)
Improved his stock with a 4.47 40 and a 4.08 shuttle at the Nike Camp at Penn State. Carrington is looking for a breakout senior year following a solid junior season.

Players to keep an eye out for next season…

Bethel DL Terrence Johnson
Only played half the season last year and could be a real sleeper.

Gretna LB Horace Hubbard
Posted sub-par numbers during the Nike Camp in Charlottesville, however is still a big playmaker for Gretna.

Harrisonburg OL Wes Lokey
Looking to show skills on offense as a senior. Mainly played defense over his high school career.

Hopewell FB Mike Pigram
Extremely strong and with good speed, Pigram compares favorably to Jerrett Brown (William & Mary signee) from last season.

Huguenot WR Kevin Cousins (PSU Commit) and CB Sean Smalls
Cousins is big (6-4) and fast while Smalls has been gaining interest throughout the spring (reports have him with five offers, however I haven’t yet confirmed it.).

North Stafford DT Cordarrow Thompson
Thompson has the size (6-2, 315 pounds) and moves well for a d-tackle. He makes a lot of plays and his name consistently comes up when speaking with opposing coaches.
Committed to Syracuse

Phoebus LB Stevon Moss
Moss, who has already drawn an offer from Kent State, is an athletic linebacker.

Western Branch CB/WR Devin Fentress and DE Alton Bradley
Bradley impressed during the recent Virginia Beach combine while Fentress has excellent speed (4.35 40).

William Fleming WR Mijuan Curtis
Curtis could be this year’s LC Baker. Like Baker, Curtis is short (around 5-6 or so) but extremely elusive and has great speed.

Oscar Smith WR Tommie Lawrence
Lawrence will be Boone's go-to-guy this year and will have a chance for a breakout season. Good size at 6-1, 180 pounds.

St. Christopher's TE/OL/DL Richard Graham
Graham is yet another 6-6, 255 pound athletic prospect. He has posted a 4.9 forty time this spring along with an over 30-inch vertical leap.

TSL Football Recruiting Home Page