ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1995, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, December 30, 1995 TAG: 9601020032
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-4 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: DUBLIN
SOURCE: RALPH BERRIER JR. STAFF WRITER
Before Shayne Graham thought of becoming a college football player, he first had to become a college football fan.
Although he spent more time kicking soccer balls than booting footballs as a Pulaski County youth, Graham soon learned that kicking a football a great distance could take a young man a long way. In the process, he became one of the most-honored high school kickers in Virginia history.
Graham, who shattered state kicking records at Pulaski County High School in becoming the only kicker ever to be named Timesland offensive player of the year, announced Friday he will accept a scholarship to play football at Virginia Tech.
His announcement caps four remarkable years that saw him become the second-leading field goal kicker in National High School Federation history with 38 career field goals. His 17 field goals this season and 165 career extra points are both ranked fifth all-time nationally. All are state records.
Not bad for a skinny kid who only recently began following college football.
``To be honest, I was never a college football fan,'' said Graham, a 6-foot, 180-pound redhead with a right leg of dynamite.
``Last year was the first time I'd ever been to a Virginia Tech game. I'd grown up playing soccer, so I never paid much attention to it.''
Graham took one official visit - to Tech - and canceled trips to Virginia and North Carolina. Boston College also offered a scholarship.
Tech will lose senior kicker Atle Larsen after this season and has another scholarship kicker, Jimmy Kibble, who will be a redshirt freshman next season.
``I'll have to prove myself,'' said Graham. ``I was always told that kickers were never offered [scholarships]. I was always told [kickers] had to walk on and then hope for a scholarship.''
It's unusual for a kicker to be inundated with offers of full rides, but Graham doesn't have a usual leg. He set a school record with a 55-yard field goal this year and had a 68-yard attempt that would have been a national record hit the padding on the goal support just below the crossbar.
LENGTH: Short : 48 linesby CNB