ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, October 18, 1996 TAG: 9610180044
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DOUG DOUGHTY STAFF WRITER
A HIGH SCHOOL STAR from Florida shuns Florida State in favor of ACC rival Virginia.
Virginia, which last year became the first ACC school to beat Florida State in football, experienced a breakthrough of another sort this week.
The Cavaliers received an oral commitment from a Floridian who had attracted the interest of Florida State.
Linebacker Bryce Cox from Robert E. Lee High School in Jacksonville, Fla., picked the Cavaliers over Florida State, Georgia Tech and Virginia Tech.
``Virginia got a great one,'' said Lee coach Gary Warner, who also coached two current UVa players, fifth-year senior Tom Locklin and freshman Johnny Ponder.
Locklin starts at center for the Cavaliers, while Ponder, a highly touted defensive back, is being redshirted.
Cox was named second-team all-state as a junior and is rated the No.36 prospect in Florida by SuperPrep magazine. He was third in the Jacksonville area in tackles with 63, including 41 solo tackles, before playing Thursday night.
Cox is listed at 6 feet 4 and 220 pounds, with a best time of 4.6 seconds for 40 yards. Warner expects him to weigh 235 or 240 and play middle linebacker in college.
Warner said Virginia's 33-28 victory over Florida State may have influenced Cox, who was not available for comment.
``That's very possible,'' Warner said. ``I think he sees Virginia as a program that has been in the top 20 year in and year out. He went up there last year on an unofficial visit and he's liked it ever since.''
Cox is the third player to commit to Virginia, including quarterback Dan Ellis from Downingtown, Pa., and tight end Billy Baber from Western Albemarle High School in Crozet.
LENGTH: Short : 42 linesby CNB