ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, January 3, 1997 TAG: 9701030063
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-8 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DOUG DOUGHTY STAFF WRITER
Virginia Tech has found a potential successor to All-Big East Conference tight end Bryan Jennings not far from Jennings' hometown of Lynchburg.
Brookville High School star James Lomax, named first-team All-Group AA by the coaches and a second-team selection by the media, said Thursday he will sign a letter of intent with the Hokies in February.
Lomax visited Tech and Wake Forest, and he also considered Virginia. He was scheduled to visit UVa officially three times, but canceled each trip.
``He was supposed to visit Virginia several times starting in the beginning of November, but we kept winning and our games were on Saturdays,'' said coach Mark Lineburg, who guided Brookville to the Group AA Division 3 title game.
``As things wore on, he just liked Tech better. He felt like Tech needed him more as a tight end. I think he was influenced by the fact Jennings was a senior.''
Tech's other tight ends this past season were senior Shaine Miles, junior Sean Sullivan and redshirt freshman Pedro Edison.
Lomax, a 6-foot-5, 250-pounder, played defensive end for the Bees, but would prefer to play tight end in college. He had 25 receptions this year for more than 500 yards.
``I think he'll be a great player for Tech,'' Lineburg said. ``His best days are ahead of him. Jennings was more explosive in high school because of his running ability, but I'm not sure James isn't more of a total package because of his blocking ability and defense.''
Lomax, rated the No.14 prospect in the state by The Roanoke Times, is the 16th player known to have committed to Tech and the fifth among the Top 25.
LENGTH: Short : 38 linesby CNB