Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, January 17, 1995 TAG: 9501170130
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DOUG DOUGHTY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Dillon Taylor, whose parents are University of North Carolina graduates, wants it stressed that his fondness for the ACC wasn't restricted to one team.
Taylor proved as much Monday, when he made an oral commitment to play football for Virginia.
Taylor, a 6-foot-3, 245-pound linebacker from Spotswood High School near Harrisonburg, picked UVa over Tennessee and Virginia Tech. He took a fourth recruiting visit to North Carolina State.
``We're instant Wahoos,'' said Taylor's father, Terry, who played linebacker for North Carolina from 1972-74 and earned three varsity letters. His wife, Lorri, played basketball for the Tar Heels.
``I wanted to play in the ACC,'' Taylor said. ``When I was young, I was a Carolina fan, but I followed all of the teams.''
Taylor had more than 130 tackles as a senior and was responsible for seven turnovers, including three interceptions and four fumble recoveries. He was rated one of the top five prospects in Virginia by the Roanoke Times & World-News. His commitment gives the Cavaliers two from the Top 5 and seven from the Top 25.
Taylor said UVa will give him the opportunity to play linebacker, but he has the versatility to play defensive end if he gets bigger.
In other developments, UVa lost linebacker recruit Ricco McCain, who said Monday that he will sign with North Carolina after earlier committing to the Cavaliers. McCain is rated one of the top 25 prospects in North Carolina by the Charlotte Observer.
``I was starting to waver even before I visited Carolina this weekend,'' said McCain, rated one of the top 25 prospects in North Carolina by the Charlotte Observer. ``I know I told Virginia I was coming, but that was my first visit and I was pretty excited.''
Annandale High School linebacker Maurice Daniels, the Group AAA player of the year, said that he will choose later this week between Missouri and Penn State.
Daniels said he was looking seriously at Virginia until told last week that UVa could no longer guarantee a scholarship. When the Cavaliers attempted to re-enter the picture after McCain's defection, Daniels wouldn't let them.
Two other linebackers from Charlotte, twins Wali and Jay Rainer, confirmed commitments to Virginia on Monday after visits to Clemson and Wake Forest. UVa has 22 known commitments, one from defensive lineman Maurice Anderson, who begins classes this week and will count against the 1994 limit.
The Division I-A limit for scholarships in one year is 25.
by CNB