ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, January 5, 1996 TAG: 9601050042
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B7 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By DOUG DOUGHTY STAFF WRITER
Virginia recruit Kevin Coffey is the rare high-school quarterback who wants to play another position in college. In fact, he wanted to play wide receiver in high school.
Coffey will have that opportunity for the Cavaliers, who have 15 known commitments after the addition of Coffey and defensive end Ben Moore from Cross Keys High School in Atlanta.
Coffey, a 6-foot-5, 190-pounder, was an all-state wide receiver as a junior at Benedictine High School and entered his senior year as one of the top 25 prospects in Ohio, according to SuperPrep magazine.
``He had to move to quarterback after the starter went down with a dislocated elbow in the third game,'' Benedictine coach Al Hodakievic said. ``I don't know that he could make a career of it, but he was pretty effective.''
Coffey accounted for 13 touchdowns, 10 passing and three rushing, in helping Benedictine to an 8-2 record. He considered Maryland, Tennessee, West Virginia, Pittsburgh and Michigan State - all or almost all of whom offered scholarships, Hodakievic said
``He catches the ball in troublesome situations,'' continued Hodakievic, who said Coffey has 4.55-second speed for 45 yards.
Cross Keys coach Bill Harris said Moore canceled trips to Notre Dame, Georgia, Kentucky and South Carolina.
``This is the first year he's played for us,'' Harris said. ``He played football in the ninth grade, but the basketball coach convinced him he could become a star. When you've got a kid [who is] 6-6 or 6-7, he tends to stand out.''
Harris said Moore had five quarterback sacks when Cross Keys played Norcross, whose Jeff Backus was rated the No.5 offensive lineman in the country by SuperPrep before the season.
``He was just too quick for Backus,'' Harris said.
UVa insiders say the Cavaliers have as many as 18 commitments, with several prospects holding up on announcements until they complete visits or until they receive standardized test scores.
LENGTH: Short : 45 linesby CNB