Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, December 21, 1994 TAG: 9412210088
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DOUG DOUGHTY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
St. Clair visited UVa and North Carolina State and canceled trips to Virginia Tech, Georgia and Florida, Colonels coach Sherley Stuart said.
``You can't go wrong on a kid with his size and ability,'' said Stuart, who thinks St.Clair is more advanced in high school than former Fleming and UVa standout David Ware, a fourth-round draft pick of the NFL's New York Jets in 1993.
St. Clair, who is close to 6 feet 7 and 270 pounds, has been timed in 4.9 seconds for 40 yards. He was named a preseason All-American on defense by SuperPrep magazine, but Stuart believes he has the skills to play tight end in college.
``He can catch and he can block like crazy,'' said Stuart, who also used St. Clair as a ball carrier on occasion (15 rushes for 77 yards).
St. Clair, who has a 3.5 grade-point average, said academics and the school's location were the main considerations. He indicated in an interview late last week that he was leaning toward UVa and was prepared to commit unless a visit to N.C. State changed his mind.
``It's the hardest decision I've ever had to make,'' St. Clair said upon his return Sunday night.
It didn't hurt the Cavaliers that St. Clair's older sister, Valerie, is a 1987 UVa graduate.
St. Clair is the 10th player to make an oral commitment to UVa and the second from Timesland, joining offensive tackle George Seals from Magna Vista.
Chris Combs, a defensive end and tight end from Patrick Henry, said this week he has narrowed his choices to Duke and UVa.
J.J. McQueen, a 6-5, 220-pound tight end and linebacker from Andrews High School in High Point, N.C., said he is 90 percent certain he will sign with UVa but intends to visit N.C. State.
In other recruiting:
North Carolina received a commitment from Donald ``Dre'' Bly, a preseason All-America defensive back from Western Branch High School in Chesapeake.
Bly said he picked the Tar Heels over Virginia Tech. ``If it wasn't for the coach [Phil Elmassian] who recruited me for Tech, it wouldn't have been close,'' said Bly, who also visited UVa.
Boston College has received commitments from three additional Virginia players, including defensive end Donovan Yarbough and defensive back Derrick Crittenden, teammates for Group AAA Division 6 champion Annandale.
Crittenden is the younger brother of New England receiver Ray Crittenden, who played three sports at Virginia Tech. The Eagles also landed Jason Malecki, who averaged more than 44 yards per punt this year for West Springfield.
Todd Boyle, a 6-8, 260-pound offensive tackle from R.E. Lee-Staunton, has committed to N.C. State.
by CNB