ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, February 5, 1997 TAG: 9702050080
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DOUG DOUGHTY STAFF WRITER
DEFENSIVE LINEMAN Tyrone Robertson was rated the No.3 prospect in the state
by The Roanoke Times.
Tyrone Robertson, the top-ranked football prospect to stay in state, has
notified Virginia Tech that he plans to sign a letter-of-intent with the
Hokies at a news conference today at 1 p.m.
``It's over now unless he changes his mind overnight,'' Ed Martin, Robertson's coach at George Washington High School in Danville, said Tuesday. ``They've [the Hokies] given him the best opportunity.''
Robertson, a 6-foot-5, 280-pounder, was rated the No.3 prospect in Virginia by The Roanoke Times and was rated the No.3 defensive lineman in the country by PrepStar, formerly BlueChip Illustrated.
Martin says Robertson has a letter from Virginia Tech indicating that he will be admitted as a student if he does not meet NCAA guidelines for freshman eligibility. Virginia, the other finalist in Robertson's recruiting, did not offer him that assurance.
Robertson is one of 24 players known to have committed to Tech, although that number could grow with the addition of teammates Adrian Pressey and Butch Patrick from Newark, Del., and Hargrave Military. Pressey, a 6-0, 195-pound wide receiver, and Patrick, a 5-8, 170-pound running back, are expected to sign with the Hokies, said Hargrave coach Joe Freeland.
Derek Carter, a defensive end and tight end from Fork Union Military Academy, confirmed an oral commitment to Tech after wavering for the past week. North Carolina State also thought it had a commitment from Carter and Virginia made an 11th-hour bid.
``If a young man gives his word to a coach, I try strongly to protect that commitment,'' Fork Union coach John Shuman said. ``But, in Derek's case, there were two schools that thought they had commitments.''
The Cavaliers, who were disappointed by developments with Robertson, had a productive day, nonetheless. They received commitments from Hampton High School wide receiver Ahmad Hawkins and running back Tyree Foreman from Sherwood High School in Sandy Springs, Md.
Foreman was named player of the year in Maryland for the second straight year and is the third state player of the year to make an oral commitment to UVa, joining quarterback Dan Ellis from Pennsylvania and linebacker-running back Yubrenal Isabelle from West Virginia.
Foreman rushed for 1,883 yards and 35 touchdowns this past season and was named to the All-America team picked by SuperPrep magazine, which rated him the No.24 running back in the country.
Virginia has been considered the leader for Hawkins since he canceled a trip to Virginia Tech in December. However, Hawkins held off making a commitment before taking a trip to Florida this past weekend.
Hawkins, rated the No.11 prospect in the state by The Roanoke Times, had 39 receptions for 1,129 yards and 19 touchdowns.
The Cavaliers have 20 commitments and have not given up on running back Antoine Womack from Phoebus High School in Hampton, who has received a letter-of-intent form from Virginia but has made an oral commitment to Penn State.
LENGTH: Medium: 61 linesby CNB