Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, November 29, 1995 TAG: 9511290058
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DOUG DOUGHTY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The Cavaliers also have received a commitment from 6-foot-41/2, 215-pound Stephon McQueen, a two-time All-State selection from Ravenscroft School in Raleigh, N.C.
Blount, a 6-foot, 185-pounder, narrowed his choices to Penn State and Virginia. When the Nittany Lions said they would let him know in a week if a scholarship was available, Blount jumped at UVa's offer.
Blount is projected as a cornerback by the Cavaliers, although he played linebacker at Corcoran High School in Syracuse. He had 80 tackles this past season, 53 unassisted, and seven sacks.
``He's a hitter,'' said Leo Cosgrove, Corcoran's coach. ``He's really built, but what the colleges seem to like most about him is his closing speed.''
Blount runs the sprints in indoor and outdoor track and has been timed in 10.8 seconds for 100 meters and 21.6 seconds for the 200. Cosgrove estimated Blount's 40-yard time at 4.4.
McQueen played defensive end and outside linebacker and is viewed as a potential pass-rush specialist by the Cavaliers. Ned Gonet, Ravenscroft's coach, said McQueen had received an offer from North Carolina State and was being recruited by most of the ACC schools.
``We play in a pretty good private school league and also schedule some of the area public schools, so I'll be interested to see what he does up there,'' Gonet said. ``He's an exceptional basketball player who basically has devoted three months a year to football until now.
``He came to me as a tailback, which should tell you something about his athletic ability. More important than his statistics are the intangibles - the number of times he completely alters an offensive game plan.''
Administrative assistant Gerry Capone said on the Virginia men's basketball radio broadcast Monday night the Cavaliers had seven football commitments.
Presumably, those include preseason All-American Kofi Bawuah, who has said he anticipates signing with UVa but might take other visits.
by CNB