Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, April 20, 1995 TAG: 9504250005
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: COMPILED BY DOUG DOUGHTY AND RANDY KING/STAFF WRITERS
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
School: Virginia Tech.
Height: 6-2.
Weight: 240.
Pro position: Outside linebacker.
40 time: 4.76.
Projected draft position: Middle to late rounds.
Teams interested: Chicago, Green Bay, Jacksonville, Detroit, Philadelphia, N.Y. Jets.
Honors: All-Big East first-team linebacker (1994); Roanoke Times & World-News first-team All-State (1994); East-West Shrine Football Classic (1995).
Statistics: Hokies' third-leading tackler (54 solo, 39 assists) despite hobbling hamstring injury that kept him out of regular-season finale against Virginia. In 1993, he became first Tech player since '87 to record over 100 tackles. Started 42 of 46 of collegiate games.
Draft analyst Mel Kiper: ``You would prefer an inside linebacker prospect to have a little more size, so despite his production and overall consistency, he's not the type you can really get excited about.''
TYRONE DAVIS
School: Virginia.
Height: 6-4.
Weight: 229.
Pro position: Wide receiver.
40 time: 4.5.
Projected draft position: Middle to late rounds.
Teams interested: Tampa Bay and others.
Honors: Selected to play in Senior Bowl (1995); second-team All-ACC (1994); Roanoke Times & World-News first-team All-State (1994).
Statistics: Set a UVa record and finished second in ACC history with 28 touchdown receptions, not including a pair of touchdowns in bowl games. As a senior he had 38 receptions for 691 yards and 10 touchdowns - team highs in all categories. Had 103 receptions in his career.
Draft analyst Mel Kiper: ``While he gained a physical mismatch against collegiate DBs, the same won't be true in the NFL. ... Enjoyed an outstanding career at Virginia, but I don't see him stacking up as well at the pro level.''
MAURICE DESHAZO
School: Virginia Tech.
Height: 6-1.
Weight: 201.
Pro position: Quarterback, defensive back.
40 time: 4.59.
Projected draft position: Late rounds if at all.
Teams interested: Cincinnati, Cleveland, Jacksonville.
Honors: Roanoke Times & World-News first-team quarterback and offensive player of year (1993); Richmond Sports Club state player of year (1993).
Statistics: After record-setting junior season in which he ranked fifth nationally in passing efficiency (157.53 rating) and threw for school-record 22 touchdowns. DeShazo fell far short of matching those numbers in 1994, throwing 13 interceptions and ranking seventh in Big East in passing efficiency (120.99). Hokies all-time career leader in touchdown passes (47) and total offense (6,105 yards).
Player agent Rick Clark: ``He's a longshot as an NFL quarterback, but a team would be stupid not to give him an opportunity at another position like defensive back. If the NFL doesn't work out, he's an ideal Canadian League quarterback.''
ANTONIO FREEMAN
School: Virginia Tech.
Height: 6-1.
Weight: 190.
Pro position: Wide receiver, punt returner.
40 time: 4.48.
Projected draft position: Middle rounds.
Teams interested: Philadelphia, Miami, N.Y. Jets, Dallas.
Honors: All-Big East second-team wide receiver and runback specialist (1994); Roanoke Times & World-News first-team All-State wide receiver (1994); East-West Shrine Football Classic (1995).
Statistics: Hokies all-time leader in receptions (121) and touchdown catches (22) and second in receiving yardage (2,207). Led Tech in receptions, touchdown catches and yardage last three years. Set Tech record with nine touchdown catches in 1993. His 12.0 punt-return average led Big East and ranked sixth in nation in 1994.
Draft analyst Mel Kiper: ``Smooth long strider who could develop into a solid No.2 wideout with the right team. In some ways, he reminds me of the Eagles' Calvin Williams, formerly a fifth-round draft choice out of Purdue.''
MIKE FREDERICK
School: Virginia.
Height: 6-5.
Weight: 273.
Pro position: Defensive end or tackle.
40 time: 4.9.
Projected draft position: Middle to late rounds.
Teams interested: Cleveland, Atlanta, Seattle, N.Y. Giants, Pittsburgh, Seattle.
Honors: Dudley Award winner as top college player in Virginia (1994); first-team All-ACC (1994); most valuable defensive player in Independence Bowl (1994); Roanoke Times & World-News state defensive player of the year (1993).
Statistics: Finished his career with 50 tackles for loss, including an ACC-leading 21 as a junior. His 26 career sacks rank him second to Chris Slade in school history. Started all 47 games UVa played during his career.
Draft analyst Mel Kiper: ``In the NFL he could hit a wall due to lack of top-notch athletic skills and closing speed. ... Productive overachiever I see as a back-up at the NFL level.''
CHARLES WAY
School: Virginia.
Height: 6-1 1/2.
Weight: 236.
Pro position: Fullback.
40 time: 4.62 .
Projected draft position: Middle rounds.
Teams interested: Miami, Cincinnati, N.Y. Giants.
Honors: Played in East-West Shrine Football Classic (1995); Ben Wilson Award winner as Virginia's outstanding offensive player (1994).
Statistics: Rushed for a career-high 132 yards against North Carolina in his final regular-season game, then added 24 carries for 90 yards in UVa's Independence Bowl victory over Texas Christian.
Draft analyst Mel Kiper: ``Emotional, hard-working football player who seemed to light a spark whenever the Cavaliers became complacent. Has a chance.''
by CNB