ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times

DATE: Thursday, January 30, 1997             TAG: 9701300040
SECTION: SPORTS                   PAGE: B-3  EDITION: METRO 
COLUMN: RECRUITING
SOURCE: DOUG DOUGHTY STAFF WRITER

TECH THE CHOICE OF TWO WALK-ONS

All-Timesland running back Jarrett Ferguson has decided to enroll at Virginia Tech as a ``walk-on'' in hopes of earning a scholarship.

Ferguson, a 5-foot-9, 185-pounder, turned down several Division I-AA offers after rushing for 1,358 yards and scoring 22 touchdowns this past season for Staunton River.

Tech also received an oral commitment from another recruited walk-on, 6-3, 225-pound defensive end Browning Wynn from Lee County High School in Jonesville. Legally, Tech can't promise either player a scholarship, but the Hokies have a history of rewarding walk-ons once they become contributors.

Ferguson was rated the No. 32 prospect in Virginia by The Roanoke Times. Another prospective Tech walk-on, center and defensive end Doug Firestone from Bishop O'Connell in Arlington, was 43rd on the list.

Tech has received 20 commitments, the latest from Derek Piniella, a linebacker from Jesuit High School in Tampa, Fla. Piniella is the son of Seattle Mariners baseball manager Lou Piniella.

Contrary to preliminary reports, Piniella plans to enroll at Tech for the fall semester. The Hokies also are awaiting word on Andre Davis, a wide receiver from Nesconset, N.Y., who originally was contemplating a winter arrival but may come sooner.

Tech apparently is no longer in the picture for wide receivers Adrian Pressey and Butch Patrick, teammates at Hargrave Military Academy and in high school in Newark, Del.

The Hokies had some concerns when three Virginia assistant coaches flew to Bluefield, W.Va., to meet with running back Yubrenal Isabelle, who last weekend committed to Tech. However, Isabelle informed UVa that his commitment was solid.

Virginia remains involved with approximately half a dozen prospects. Greg Brown, a wide receiver from Baton Rouge, La., informed the Cavaliers on Wednesday that he will sign with Notre Dame.

LENGTH: Short :   43 lines