Offseason Testing - Day 1 a Success
The first day of testing went extremely well, especially with our younger players.
The school record for the 20 yard pro shuttle was broken by Darec Brooks with a 4.03 second run, then DB Brandon Taylor tied him later in the day.
Our older kids run the forty Tuesday, but with the younger kids Rashaad Goodwyn, an incoming freshmen, posted the best time of 4.47 seconds, and incoming sophomore MLB Darius Johnson posted a 345 lb bench press.
Weekend Visit to NC State
On Sunday I took three of our players to the one day camp at North Carolina State University (LB/RB Darec Brooks, FS/WR Drakar Harvell, and WR Trey Gardner). My youngest Cody also asked to go with us, which was a special treat to me.
The NC State facilities were unreal, Cody asked to commit on the spot.
All three did well and were pulled at the end for additional evaluation, we will find out later this week if any offers come of it.
University of Richmond 7-on-7
On Saturday, we attended the Richmond Spiders 7-on-7 Shootout and Big Man camp. We took 30 players up to the camp and did well, especially our lineman.
On the day our 7-on-7 crew went 5 and 2, losing in overtime to Meadowbrook and in a shootout 4 to 3 with a stacked Colonial Forge squad. Overall, I was pleased. We approach 7-on-7 a little differently than some in that we do what we will do in the fall, we don’t take advantage of the 4 second count given to QB’s because for the most part that doesn’t happen in the fall. Also our defense will use the defenses we will use in the fall - those set up to both stop the run and pass.
Some will use prevent defense the whole day and be in defenses that they will never be in this fall. I want there to be carryover to the fall, so we do what we do. If our experience doesn’t make better in the fall than it’s not something that I want to do.
Visit to NCCU
It has been a busy three weeks for us as we just finished up our spring ball for our middle schoolers. And now the camp and 7-on-7 circuit begins.
Last Wednesday, I took three of our players to North Carolina Central’s one day camp held at Pinecrest High School in N.C. Attending the camp were upcoming seniors Taveres Johnson (DB/WR); Andre Thweatt (LB/RB); and Deandre Allen (SS/RB). All three did well and had a great experience. Coach Bullock, their recruiting coach likes our kids and will be following up in the fall - don’t be suprised to see a couple of Dinwiddie players on NCCU’s roster a couple of years from now.
Busy Weekend - Blacksburg to Huntington, WV
We had a busy weekend, but very rewarding.
Friday we had our middle school camp from 3:30 to 5:30, we have some very good talent in that group and some very good QB prospects. Our middle school program is working on their third straight undefeated season and it looks like if they put the work in the summer, like the last two groups have done, it could very well happen again.
Following the camp Me, senior QB Chris Hall, junior WR Drakar Harvell, Marvin Harvell (Drakar’s Father), DE Corey Marshall and I headed off to Blacksburg for Virginia Tech’s 1 day prospect camp.
These one day camps have become very important for those inbetween players without offers to go to, especially in the state of Virginia where there are very little opportunity for players to be seen because of no spring practice and NCAA regulations. Five years ago the Nike camps and the combines were the way to go but now they will not let college coaches attend these so the one days are the way to go, unless you already have the offers you are looking for.
We get to Lane Stadium the next day. Chris and Corey get a chance to talk with all the coaches, there were around 100 participants in the camp and there were several colleges there other than Virgina Tech. JMU, ODU, Richmond, and William and Mary were there as well.
They tested the players in the vertical, pro shuttle, 40, and got their height and weight. Then they went thru a period of offensive drills, defensive drills, finishing up with 1 on 1s.
They put Chris through it, testing him physically and mentally. Chris worked out at TE at Virginia Tech because thats what they are recruiting him as, and he did tremendous especially since he hadn’t played it since his sophomore year.
At the end of they day, they called Chris over and offered him a scholarship. Being a life-long fan, it was a dream come true for Chris. Turned out it was the only offer they extended that day.
Following the camp we hit the road again headed up Route 460 to Hunnington, WV for Marshall University’s camp the next day. Marshall is real excited with new coach Doc Holliday and the staff he has put together. Coach Petersen has returned to Marshall with Coach Holliday to coach QBs and serve as Assistant Head Coach. Coach Petersen was at Marshall back in their hey day in the late 90’s and early 2000s. He coached a couple of pretty good QBs during that time Chad Pennington (Miami Dolphins) and Byron Leftwitch (Pittsburg Steelers).
Coach Holliday is bringing the Florida style of offense to Marshall and said that Chris at 6′5″ 230 fits the mold of the type of QB they are going to recruit at Marshall. My goal for Chris was to have a choice and I was excited to hear that they were going to recruit Chris at QB. Chris ran well 4.52 and 4.64 in his two 40’s so he passed that test, and the rest was in the drills. Chris had a great day, as did his junior receiver Drakar Harvell. Drakar was making big time plays in the 1 on 1’s and looked excellent in the drills. I think WR coach Zach Smith who came from Florida was impressed with Drakar and this could be good for him next year when offers come out for him. I felt like Chris would get an offer based on the day he had there, and the next day we found out that he would be offered.
Thanks again to Ms. Marshall who allowed us to use her van for the trip, without her we would not be able to make these trips, and without these trips opportunities would not happen.
Hall Receives First Scholarship Offer
Dinwiddie QB Chris Hall received his first scholarship offer this afternoon from Virginia Tech University.
Hall is the 2nd Dinwiddie player to be offered by the Hokies.
Scholarship Offer For WR Gardner
Dinwiddie WR Trey Gardner received his first scholarship offer Friday afternoon from Miami(Ohio) University located in Oxford, Ohio. The RedHawks play in the Mid-American Conference.
Gardner (6-6 210 lbs) made 41 catches for 697 yards last season and 5 TDs. He was also a factor on special teams blocking 2 punts.
Marshall Named to 2011 Rivals 250
Congratulations to Corey Marshall who was named to the Rivals 250 as a 4 star recruit making him one of the top 250 football recruits in the nation.
2011 Rivals 250
Corey Marshall Rivals.com Profile
Dinwiddie Coach Moving On to College
We are proud to announce that our former offensive line coach who put together top notch offensive lines over the past four years has been selected to be the assistant offensive line coach at Troy University.
Coach Edwards will be a graduate assistant at the university and will work with one of the top offensive line coaches in “The System” Coach John Schlarman. Coach Edwards also headed up our offseason program which is the reason for our success.
We will miss you Buzz.
Little Generals Camp a Success
We just finished up another successful youth camp at the enhancement center at Dinwiddie.
All money charged (25 dollars) went toward each participants registration fee for the Dinwiddie County Recreation youth football program headed up by Travis Malloy, any money left over was to go for schoalarships for any player in need who would like to participate in the youth program for the Dinwiddie County Recreation Department. For more information contact Travis Malloy at 804-732-1100.
We had 90 participants in this years camps and all Dinwiddie coaches and current players served as instructors.
There were also visits and instruction given by former Dinwiddie players such as Bradley Johnson (University of Maryland); Adam Morgan (V.M.I.); Richie Williams (V.M.I.); David Abbey (Louisburg); Jason Ampy (Chowan Univeristy); Nick Watts (Chowan University); Dequan Coles (Citidal); Brandon Parson (Alabama A&M); Pierre Hawkes (N.M.M.I.); Jimmie Simmons (Bridgewater).
Thanks to all that helped out with the camp it is a great success because of you.
