ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, August 28, 1996 TAG: 9608280040
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DOUG DOUGHTY STAFF WRITER
THE HOKIES TAP their ever-growing Pennsylvania pipeline for a pair of highly rated football players.
Virginia Tech has returned to an old recruiting haunt for a pair of football commitments, one from a player rated among the top 25 prospects in Pennsylvania.
The Hokies, who signed six players from Pennsylvania last year, have added linebackers Barney Bowman from Berwick and Jim Ferugio from Pottsville.
Both play in the Wyoming Valley Conference, which produced three of Tech's 1995 signees.
Bowman, rated the No.23 prospect in Pennsylvania by SuperPrep magazine, will join former Berwick teammates Brian Remley and Jeremy Kishbaugh at Tech.
Bowman, listed at 6 feet 21/2 and 218 pounds, was third in the state in the discus as a junior and also has a 6-2 high jump to his credit. He reportedly picked the Hokies over Boston College, Wake Forest and North Carolina State.
Pottsville coach Kevin Keating said Ferugio picked Tech over West Virginia. He said Ferugio also was offered scholarships by Northwestern, Maryland and Rutgers despite suffering a broken leg that ended his junior season after three games.
``He has a huge, huge frame,'' Keating said. ``I know [Tech coach] Frank Beamer likes him as a tight end, but the defensive coaches think he can fill out and play at 240 or 245 and be a pass rusher for them.''
Tech has received oral commitments from five players, including running back Lamont Pegues, a transfer from Clemson who is on campus and taking part in preseason workouts.
Earlier, linebacker Camm Jackson and lineman David Pugh from Amherst High School said they would sign with Tech.
Assistant coach Terry Strock recruits the Wyoming Valley for Tech, which also was in the running for Berwick running back Bryan Smith before he committed to Boston College over the Hokies and Pittsburgh.
``Up until two years ago, kids in northeastern Pennsylvania didn't know much about Virginia Tech,'' Keating said. ``I think it's the best-kept secret in the east. Terry Strock has done a great job and, if you're not impressed by Frank Beamer, you're in a coma.''
LENGTH: Short : 47 linesby CNB