Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, January 19, 1994 TAG: 9401190084
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DOUG DOUGHTY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Once Todd Wheatley decided what sport he wanted to play in college, the rest was easy.
Wheatley, who comes from a long line of Virginia Tech alumni and supporters, announced Tuesday that he will sign a letter of intent with the Hokies.
Wheatley, a tight end and defensive tackle for Alleghany High School, was rated one of the top 25 prospects in Virginia by the Roanoke Times & World-News.
Wheatley, who also plays basketball for the Mountaineers, visited Tech and West Virginia and canceled a visit to Virginia.
"Basketball is what I always wanted to play when I was younger," said Wheatley, a 6-foot-5, 240-pounder, "but I could see where more schools - and bigger programs - were recruiting me for football."
Wheatley is the 11th player to commit to Tech and the third among the top 25, all from Southwestern Virginia. He joins Salem running back Marcus Parker and Martinsville linebacker Chris Frith, who committed Monday.
Also announcing his decision Tuesday was Delaunta Cameron, a linebacker from Bishop O'Connell in Arlington, who committed to Wake Forest. Cameron, a Top 25 selection, canceled a visit to Virginia Tech when the Hokies received commitments from other players at his position.
Wheatley played offensive tackle for his first three seasons at Alleghany, "but the plan was for me to play tight end all along," he said. "One of our offensive tackles got hurt my first year, so I ended up moving."
Some recruiters have projected Wheatley as an interior lineman in college, but Alleghany coach Tom McIntyre urges them not to jump to conclusions. Wheatley had 18 receptions for 339 yards and five touchdowns during the 1993 season and returned a fumble 85 yards for a touchdown.
"He's a defensive player, too," McIntyre said. "He's a real find for Virginia Tech. There wasn't a coach who saw him on tape who didn't like him."
One of Wheatley's uncles is a Tech alumnus, and one set of grandparents has been taking Wheatley to Tech games since he was a youngster. Bryan Stinespring, the Tech assistant who recruited Wheatley, is from Clifton Forge.
by CNB