Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, January 27, 1992 TAG: 9201270026
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DOUG DOUGHTY SPORTSWRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
HIGHLY RATED RECRUITS PICK UVA
Virginia received oral commitments Sunday from a pair of in-state football players who were chosen All-Americans by SuperPrep magazine.Two-sport star Percy Ellsworth from Southampton High School picked UVa over Virginia Tech after what may have been the most intense recruiting battle in Virginia this year.
The Cavaliers also landed linebacker Jamie Sharper from Hermitage High in Richmond. Sharper, a 6-foot-3, 200-pounder, picked UVa over South Carolina.
Sharper and Ellsworth (6-3, 190) both were rated among the top 25 prospects in Virginia by the Roanoke Times & World-News.
Ellsworth played running back and quarterback for Southampton, but was recruited by UVa to play wide receiver and defensive back. He also will be given the opportunity to try out for the Cavaliers' basketball team.
"I think he could get a lot of playing time early [in football]," Southampton football coach Littleton Parker. "I don't think he will be redshirted as a freshman."
Parker said Ellsworth is the first Southampton athlete in more than 20 years to sign a letter-of-intent with Virginia. Ellsworth's cousin, Steve, played at Virginia Tech.
Percy Ellsworth's other visits were to North Carolina and Syracuse. Sharper took trips to Nebraska and Tulane in addition to his visits to South Carolina and UVa.
"I was leaning to South Carolina at first because I thought I could play earlier there," Sharper said. "I might not get to start as quickly at Virginia, but I should be able to play. Plus, it's closer."
SuperPrep rated Ellsworth and Sharper the Nos. 2 and 3 prospects in the state behind Clemson recruit Tony DeSue from Kempsville High in Virginia Beach.
UVa has received commitments from 18 players, including 6-6, 235-pound offensive tackle Mike Kelly from Frederick, Md.