Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, January 25, 1995 TAG: 9501260064
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DOUG DOUGHTY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Loren Johnson, a defensive back from Miramar High School in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., was one of two players to make oral commitments to Tech, along with Tabb High running back Chris Wright.
Johnny Shivers, an All-America lineman from Hallandale, Fla., said he intends to sign with Virginia despite the efforts of Florida to keep him in the state. Shivers also visited Miami and Boston College.
West Virginia received commitments from running back Boo Sensabaugh from Norton and quarterback Marc Bulger from Pittsburgh, a one-time Tech target. Sensabaugh, rated one of the top 25 prospects in Virginia by the Roanoke Times & World-News, rushed for 2,380 yards and 32 touchdowns.
Tech is up to eight commitments with the addition of Wright and Johnson, a 5-foot-11, 180-pound cornerback who picked the Hokies over Oklahoma, Indiana, West Virginia and North Carolina State.
``I was going back and forth,'' said Johnson, whose second choice was Indiana, ``but, when I sat down to think about it, something deep inside told me to sign with Tech.''
Johnson, who has been timed in 4.4 seconds for 40 yards, admitted that Tech's commitment to man-to-man pass coverage was an incentive. ``I see that as a challenge,'' he said.
Wright, a 6-2, 205-pounder from the same program that produced former Virginia and Miami Dolphins running back Terry Kirby, rushed for more than 1,300 yards as a senior and close to 4,000 yards in his last two years at Tabb.
``I think everybody was waiting to see what Chris would do when we moved up to Group AAA this year and he was just as good - if not better - than he was at the AA level,'' Tabb coach Charlie Hovis said.
``We don't like to make comparisons to Kirby, but he may be a little faster than Terry was. Chris is an exceptionally strong runner who is deceptive in his speed and quickness,'' Tabb coach Charlie Hovis said.
Virginia has received 23 commitments and is awaiting word from tight end Cuncho Brown from Winston-Salem, N.C., and defensive end Joey Walters from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., both down to the Cavaliers and North Carolina. Shivers originally committed to UVa two weeks ago, but later visited Florida.
``My mother convinced me that, if Virginia was the place for me, that a trip to Florida would only verify that,'' Shivers said Tuesday. ``I liked Virginia a lot. I had to go with my heart.''
Shivers (6-5, 265) was named an All-American by SuperPrep at offensive tackle, but prefers defense and expects to get a long look on that side of the ball from coordinator Rick Lantz, the UVa assistant who recruited him.
``In recruiting there's so much propaganda and people only want to tell you what you want to hear,'' Shivers said, ``but I got attached to Coach Lantz. My mother even liked him.''
by CNB