Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, January 26, 1993 TAG: 9301260030
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By SCOTT BLANCHARD STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
3 MORE COMMIT TO TECH
Baron Spinner's taste in athletic wear is about to undergo a makeover.Admittedly still a University of Miami football fan, the Jefferson Forest High School tailback/defensive back has made an oral commitment to attend Virginia Tech.
"It's going to be exciting getting a chance to play Miami," Spinner said of the Hokies' Big East Conference opponent.
Spinner, selected the Timesland offensive player of the year after leading Jefferson Forest to the Group AA state championship, is one of three commitments Tech received Monday. The others: Fort Defiance High School offensive lineman Brad Baylor, a member of the Roanoke Times & World-News' Top 25; and fullback Ben Kadrlick of Lloyd C. Bird High School in Chesterfield.
Virginia landed a high-profile recruit Monday, getting an oral commitment from Fork Union Military Academy quarterback Derrick Byrd, rated the No. 7 prospect in Virginia by SuperPrep magazine.
Byrd, 6 feet 4 and 195 pounds, passed for 2,000 yards with 22 touchdowns and eight interceptions at James Monroe High School in Fredericksburg. He visited UVa, North Carolina and Maryland.
"He'll be the next pro quarterback with Fork Union ties," Fork Union coach John Shuman said.
Shuman likened Byrd, who runs the 40-yard dash in 4.5 seconds, to current North Carolina quarterback Mike Thomas. Byrd gives UVa 12 known commitments.
Tech is known to have received commitments from 14 players, six of whom were Roanoke Times & World-News Top 25 members.
Kadrlick rushed for 937 yards and nine touchdowns last season and had 2,986 career yards with 26 touchdowns. Bird coach Ron Paquette said Division I-AA schools Richmond and James Madison had shown interest in Kadrlick.
Baylor was an All-Group AA selection. Fort Defiance coach Dale Spitzer said the 6-5, 255-pounder had visited Cincinnati and JMU.
"He has very quick feet for a big kid," Spitzer said. "He has good strength for a high school senior. He has a lot of courage and plays with intensity."
Spitzer said Baylor has been timed at 4.9 seconds in the 40-yard dash and that Tech may consider him at defensive end.
Spinner said he could play defensive back or receiver at Tech, but he and Jefferson Forest coach Bob Christmas said the Hokies' message was: We're going to sign one tailback, and you're it.
"He was a great player for us," Christmas said. "He's very strong for his size."
Spinner rushed for 1,761 yards, averaging 11.1 yards per carry, and he scored three touchdowns - one on an interception return - in the Cavaliers' state title win over Matoaca. He visited JMU and canceled trips to Division I-AA schools Marshall and Appalachian State.
"Virginia Tech gave me a chance to play Division I-A. I'm very thankful about that," Spinner said. "There's no doubt in my mind I can play at that level."
Spinner said Tech running backs coach Billy Hite told him his running style was like that of departed Hokie Vaughn Hebron.
"I can read holes. I try to make people miss, try not to take big hits," Spinner said. "I don't say I have blazing speed, but the speed I have I put it to good use."
Staff writer Doug Doughty contributed some information for this story.
Keywords:
FOOTBALL