Recruiting Updates
by Chris Horne, 11/6/02

Editor's Note: When TSL launches its new recruiting database, premium updates will be provided by Chris Horne, who has written recruiting articles for the TSL Extra and Sabre Newsletter recently. Chris will also be responsible for maintaining the TSL recruiting database.

What follows are some updates Chris has provided to TSL over the last couple of weeks. Please note the dates on each update. The most recent update will be given first.


Vince Hall Enjoys VT Visit
Date: 11/6/02

Vince Hall, the All-American linebacker from Western Branch High School in Chesapeake, Virginia, visited Virginia Tech unofficially last weekend for the game versus Pittsburgh. He has had good experiences on unofficial visits to Blacksburg before, and this experience was no different.

"The visit went fine," said Hall, who spent some time with current Hokie commitment Tripp Carroll. "You know, I�ve been there before, but this time I got a chance to walk down with the team [before the game]. I liked that."

Despite the loss to Pitt, Hall expressed how impressed he was with the Hokies. In fact, he was able to find out something about them he didn�t know before.

"I was mad at the loss, until I saw the way that they handled it," said Hall. "They knew they should have won the game, but they also knew that they have to get ready for next week."

Hall has set up an official visit to Virginia Tech for the weekend of November 30. Clemson, Penn State, North Carolina, and Tennessee round out his top five schools, although he doesn�t know if or when he will visit the other four.

"I�m trying to call the coaches to set up some other officials," said Hall. "But with my schedule and their schedule, it can be tough.

"I might not take all my visits. If I know on an official that [a certain school] is the place I want to go, then I�ll go ahead and commit."

Hall has led Western Branch to a 9-0 record for this season, and looks to continue the success in the Division 6 playoffs. They play Deep Creek this weekend.


Terrell Golden: All Fun and Games

Date: 10/31/02

Having fun and playing games � that�s how things got started for Lake Taylor (VA) wide receiver prospect Terrell Golden.

Before the 2002 Penn State football camp, Golden hadn�t received a scholarship offer. How quickly things changed over the camp�s two days.

Golden entered the PSU camp with a care-free attitude, hoping to learn some football and, more importantly, have some fun. Many players take these camps seriously, as they should, for it could hold the key to a college scholarship. Relaxed, Golden was able to make his own firm impression on the minds of Penn State coaches.

"The first day, we were doing standing jumps," said the 6-3, 215-pound Golden. "After that, we were stretching and just sitting there, me and my friend decided to race. We raced in the 40 yard dash to see who was fastest. First I ran a 4.4 flat. Then he ran a 4.35. Guys were just looking at us, like �what are these guys doing?�"

"I didn�t think I could beat his time. But I ran a 4.31. That definitely turned some heads. The next day, we ran some drills, and the coaches picked us to show the rest of the group how to do them�just catching balls and stuff. We definitely stood out."

Golden earned more than just the attention of the Nittany Lion coaching staff; he earned a scholarship from them as well. A few weeks later, Lake Taylor coach Hank Sawyer had phone calls from many D-1 coaches, inquiring about Golden�s camp performance (which was released on the internet). The college coaching world had discovered what Sawyer already knew.

"He definitely has the tools," said Sawyer. "He runs track for me too. He runs about a 10.9 in the 100, does a 48 triple jump, and jumps 6�4" in the high jump. He was sixth in the state in the high jump last year."

Along with the obvious athletic prowess, Golden displays great leadership ability. He has used these two qualities to help lead Lake Taylor to a 6-2 record through 10/30/02, with a chance to make the playoffs. Golden has contributed at wide receiver, where Coach Sawyer says he has about 20 catches for 400 yards, outside linebacker, where he has eight sacks, and spot time at the safety position.

Although Golden plays three positions for Lake Taylor, he projects as a wide receiver on the college level. Playing defense, however, has helped his wide receiver skills greatly.

"Playing defense helps me a lot because it gives me a feel of what I can do on offense," said Golden. "It gives me knowledge of what the defense is thinking."

Many, many schools throughout the East are heavily recruiting Golden. Currently, he has a good focus on which schools will suit him the best � two of which stand out more than the rest.

"Penn State and Virginia Tech are the two I am focusing on most right now," said Golden. "PSU and Virginia Tech are tied. My top five would consist of PSU, Virginia Tech, Tennessee, NC State, and Maryland."

"I don�t see this list changing really."

When asked if he has set up any official visits, Golden replied, "No, I have not," but he says that he will take all five officials. Other factors in his decision include academics, as he wants to major in Business Communications, and a good social atmosphere. Golden is a good student, carrying a 3.0 grade point average. He scored over 900 on his SAT, so he is fully qualified.

Look to hear much more from the charismatic Golden as he finishes high school and continues to the collegiate level. Many coaches hope Golden will continue to have fun � but only for their team.


Duane Brown Sets Up Official Visits
Date: 10/31/02

Hermitage DE/TE Duane Brown has set two official visits for November�so who are the lucky schools?

"I�ve set up my officials to Virginia and Virginia Tech," said Brown, who is recovering from a leg injury earlier in the season. "I will visit Virginia on November 16 [for the NC State game] and Virginia Tech on November 30 [for the UVa game]."

"Virginia and Virginia Tech are my top two, and they are pretty much equal."

The 6-5, 250-pound Brown will visit both schools with a Hermitage teammate, wide receiver Fontel Mines. While they will visit both schools on the same dates, they are not necessarily a package deal.

"We�ve talked about going to the same school," said Brown. "But basically we will go wherever we are most comfortable."

Both the Hokies and Cavaliers have offered Brown, but the Cavaliers are recruiting him as an athlete who could play along the defensive line or tight end. According to Brown, it doesn�t really matter which position he plays in college.

"At the UVa camp, the coaches told me that they were impressed with me on both sides of the ball, so they are recruiting me as an athlete," said Brown. "I like both positions equally though."

Brown is busy recuperating from a broken leg earlier in the season. He has worked hard in physical therapy, and hopes to return for Hermitage�s final home game of the year versus Douglas Freeman � a game rescheduled because of the DC-area sniper incidents.

"[Physical Therapy] is going great," said Brown. "I just got back from physical therapy and they said everything was impressive. I should be back in two weeks."

Hermitage could certainly use the dynamic star as they enter the playoffs. They are undefeated this year with a 7-0 record, but Brown would be a major spark for the Panthers.

Other than the Cavaliers and Hokies, Brown has been receiving interest from Maryland and Tennessee. He hopes to decide possibly by December.


Moss Loves Visit
10/21/02

Ely (FL) product Tyrone Moss, one of the top running back prospects in the country, went to Blacksburg for his first official visit last Saturday. It�s safe to say the trip was a success.

"It was great," said an excited Moss Monday night following his first official visit. "I got a chance to meet the players and Coach Beamer. I got to do the [pre-game] walk also.

"Eric Green was my host Friday night, and Kevin Jones was the host Saturday. The atmosphere was great. The fans are really great."

Virginia Tech was easily in Moss� top four before the official visit, so where do they stand now?

"Virginia Tech is definitely in my top two with Miami, but it looks like Virginia Tech right now," said Moss. "I�m going to take some other visits, just to take some other trips, but it doesn�t matter. It�s going to come down to Virginia Tech and Miami."

The 5-10, 210-pound running back sensation owns the records for total rushing yards and rushing touchdowns in Broward County (FL) and broke Emmitt Smith�s state record for consecutive 100-yard games in a victory over Cooper City last week. He has been able to watch the "Untouchable" combination of Lee Suggs and Kevin Jones throughout the year and would not be intimidated sharing time with Jones coming back for his junior season.

"I see how [Kevin] Jones is playing behind [Lee] Suggs and he is still doing great," said Moss, who first became interested in Virginia Tech through a recommendation from Ely Head Coach Steve Davis. "He is still rushing for over 100 yards."

Moss� decision will come down to where he feels most comfortable, and he felt very comfortable in Blacksburg.

"I don�t want to go to a place that I am not comfortable at, and at Virginia Tech, everyone made you feel really comfortable."

Moss has earned All-American honors from virtually every recruiting service, including SuperPrep, and Tom Lemming. He is also ranked the #40 overall prospect by Rivals.com and the #39 overall prospect by Insiders.com. He wants to make his decision sometime around mid-December. As of right now, things look very promising for Hokie fans.

Moss has not yet scheduled any further official visits, but plans to do so soon.

 

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