THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, January 31, 1995 TAG: 9501310408
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C6 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY RICH RADFORD AND DENISE MICHAUX, STAFF WRITERS
LENGTH: Medium: 74 lines
Tallwood's John Vann and Norview's Basley Carlisle said Monday that they will sign football letters-of-intent with Hampton University when the national signing period begins Wednesday.
And two western area players - Southampton lineman John Rawls and former Windsor running back and Group A player of the year Bobbie Cotten - committed to North Carolina State.
The new Hampton commitments bring to four the number of area players planning to join the Pirates next fall. Indian River lineman Shawn Greene and Norcom defensive back Rudy Howard committed to Hampton University last week.
Vann, a 6-foot, 210-pounder who played linebacker at Tallwood, said he cancelled a visit to Maryland and selected the Pirates over Houston and James Madison, both of which he visited.
``With the bigger schools, it was becoming a numbers game and it was turning me off,'' Vann said. ``Hampton is going Division I-AA and I like that. And it's close to home so my mom can come and see me play.''
Vann, who said he qualifies under NCAA freshman eligibility guidelines, is expected to convert to strong safety.
Carlisle, a 6-2, 275-pound lineman, chose the Pirates over Appalachian State, Delaware and Virginia State.
Carlisle has the necessary grade point average for NCAA freshman eligibility according to Norview head coach Will Robinson, but he is awaiting scores from the Scholastic Assessment Test.
``I thought this was the best program for me academically,'' Carlisle said. ``Plus, I like the fact that they're moving up to I-AA.''
Carlisle was a first-team All-Eastern District selection at offensive tackle last season, but expects to play defensive tackle for the Pirates.
Southampton's Rawls orally committed to N.C. State in September and will make it official Wednesday.
``They have been recruiting him for nearly three years,'' Indians head coach Littleton Parker said. ``They are looking at him to play offensive tackle or defensive end.''
The 6-6, 280-pound Rawls spent time at both of those spots for the Indians this season and racked up 21 solo tackles, assisted on 62, had six sacks and blocked eight passes.
Rawls' size and his 4.9-second 40-yard dash earned him a spot on Blue Chips top 100 college prospects list. He was named second-team All-Bay Rivers District offensive tackle.
``He's got the size and quickness,'' Parker said. ``You don't find a 6-6, 280-pound kid who can run a 4.9 40 very often.
The Wolfpack will gain another Western Tidewater native when Cotten signs.
Cotten was a standout running back for the Dukes, but was over the age limit to play his senior year, so he transferred to Hargrave Military Academy to earn his diploma and play post-grad level football.
At Windsor, Cotten played both sides of the ball. Last season Cotten played only defense, which is where N.C. State plans to use him. ILLUSTRATION: Photos
John Vann chose Hampton over Maryland, Houston and JMU.
Offensive tackle Basley Carlisle expects to play defense in
college.
N.C. State will get ex-Group A player of the year Bobbie Cotten.
Bound for N.C. State, John Rawls is 6-6, 280 but can run a 4.9
40-yard dash.
by CNB