MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — A look at just some of the notable high school players in the state who have made decisions on where they will play football in college.
CAPITAL HIGH SCHOOL
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Edmond Harvey |
DB, 6-2, 170 |
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FAIRMONT STATE |
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Capital defensive back Edmond Harvey will play college football at the D-II level with Fairmont State. Harvey helped lead the Cougars to the semifinals this past season with an interception returned for a touchdown in the quarterfinal win over University.
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GEORGE WASHINGTON HIGH SCHOOL
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Zach Malone |
FB/LB, 6-0, 205 |
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WEST VIRGINIA STATE | ||||||||||||||||||
George Washington’s Zach Malone will play college football at West Virginia State. He was a second team all-state selection this past year at linebacker. | ||||||||||||||||||
GEORGE WASHINGTON HIGH SCHOOL
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Jon Alexander |
QB, 6-0, 170 |
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WEST VIRGINIA STATE | ||||||||||||||||||
George Washington quarterback Jon Alexander will play for West Virginia State. The senior threw for 1,043 with 15 touchdowns and seven interceptions in 2013. | ||||||||||||||||||
GEORGE WASHINGTON HIGH SCHOOL
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Jacob Jackson |
RB/WR/DB, 5-10, 170 |
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INVITED WALK-ON AT MARSHALL | ||||||||||||||||||
GW’s Jacob Jackson will accept an invited walk-on opportunity with Marshall. The senior averaged 9.1 yards per carry on the season, totaling 1,274 yards on 140 carries. He also scored 15 touchdowns and was named a second team all-state defensive selection.
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MADONNA HIGH SCHOOL
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Ross Comis |
QB, 6-2, 215 |
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UMASS | ||||||||||||||||||
Madonna quarterback Ross Comis will play in the Mid-American Conference with UMass. The senior signal caller finished this past season with 3,630 total offensive yards and 57 combined touchdowns (1,942 rushing and 35 TDs, 1,688 passing and 22 TDs). He had just 4 interceptions on the season, leading the Blue Dons to a 14-0 record and Class A state championship in his senior year. He was also named the MetroNews Player of the Year, runner-up to the Kennedy Award and first team Class A all-state captain.
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MARTINSBURG HIGH SCHOOL
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Malik Cobb |
RB/LB, 6-0, 220 |
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ALDERSON BROADDUS | ||||||||||||||||||
Martinsburg linebacker Malik Cobb is a physical presence on the field, standing in at 6-foot, 220 pounds. He’ll play at Alderson Broaddus next season. | ||||||||||||||||||
MARTINSBURG HIGH SCHOOL |
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Malique Watkins |
QB, 5-9, 170 |
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FAIRMONT STATE | ||||||||||||||||||
Martinsburg senior quarterback Malique Watkins finished 2013 with 2,784 total offensive yards and 36 total touchdowns (1,811 rushing yards and 20 TDs, 973 passing yards and 16 TDs). He had just six interceptions, leading Martinsburg to its fourth straight Class AAA state championship. He’ll play at Fairmont State next season. | ||||||||||||||||||
MARTINSBURG HIGH SCHOOL |
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Troy Walker |
TE/DL, 6-4, 235 |
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SHEPHERD | ||||||||||||||||||
Another big presence for Martinsburg this past season was Troy Walker who will play for Shepherd next year. Walker, the son of head coach Dave Walker, caught Martinsburg’s lone touchdown in the school’s 2013 state championship win, a 5-yard catch from QB Malique Watkins. |
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MORGANTOWN HIGH SCHOOL |
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Amanii Brown |
OL, 6-5, 270 |
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WEST VIRGINIA | ||||||||||||||||||
WVU grabbed a hometown commitment from the two-star prospect who figures to pack on weight in order to contribute a couple seasons down the road. Brown immediately pledged to WVU last June after receiving his first offer and promptly proclaimed his recruitment finished, though Cincinnati, Oklahoma, UTEP and Akron also showed interest. | ||||||||||||||||||
MORGANTOWN HIGH SCHOOL |
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Chazzy Thomas |
RB, 5-9, 155 |
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FAIRMONT STATE | ||||||||||||||||||
Chazzy Thomas finished this past season with 2,108 rushing yards and 30 touchdowns on 174 carries in winning the Kennedy Award. He chose Fairmont State over the University of Charleston and a preferred walk-on opportunity with WVU.
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UNIVERSITY HIGH SCHOOL |
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Tony Richardson |
TE/DE, 6-3, 210 |
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VMI | ||||||||||||||||||
University’s Tony Richardson will play football at Virginia Military Institute. Richardson picked VMI over other offers and interest from University of Charleston, Concord, late interest from Ohio University, along with looks from Harvard and Princeton. |
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UNIVERSITY HIGH SCHOOL |
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Jack Armstrong |
WR/DB, 6-1, 165 |
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WILLIAM & MARY INVITED WALK-ON | ||||||||||||||||||
Jack Armstrong made 47 receptions for 615 yards and eight touchdowns on the year with University. He also returned four combined kickoff and punt returns for scores. He’ll redshirt his freshman season at William & Mary before moving into a role at receiver. |
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UNIVERSITY HIGH SCHOOL |
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Billy Kinney |
K/P, 6-4, 195 |
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WEST VIRGINIA INVITED WALK-ON | ||||||||||||||||||
University kicker/punter Billy Kinney will fit into an invited walk-on role with WVU. After a big junior season, Kinney suffered a foot injury that limited his action as a senior. |
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WHEELING CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL |
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C.J. Burch |
RB/WR/DB, 5-10, 185 |
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GLENVILLE STATE | ||||||||||||||||||
Wheeling Central’s C.J. Burch totaled 1,028 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns on the ground in 2013. He’ll play at Glenville State next season. | ||||||||||||||||||
OTHER NOTES:
– There are still several players around the state weighing their options overall as more decisions will continue to trickle in. Huntington, for example, has six or seven players who will sign at a later date. According to head coach Billy Seals, Nick Tubbs, Charles Crawford, Nigale Cabell, Paden Christian, Arick Nicks, Greg May and Zach Stevens all have offers on the table, but all are still weighing their options.
More: Madonna’s Comis gets D-I shot with UMass
– At Washington, head coach Mark Hash said QB Colin Gustines has D-II offers, but no decision yet. 6-foot-5 receiver Kendell Smith has had several options, including D-I walk-on opportunities.
– Spring Valley running back Adam Page will play for Campbellsville University.
– Meadow Bridge running back Jake Parker led the state in rushing this past season with 2,505 yards and 33 touchdowns. He hasn’t made a decision yet, but had been mulling an invited walk-on opportunity with Marshall and was hopeful he could potentially find a fit at Glenville State.
– Parkersburg punter Kyle Foster will play for Akron. Also, former Parkersburg standout Matt Santer is signing with Marshall – he played at Fork Union Military Academy last season after shoulder surgery his senior year at Parkersburg.
More: Greenbrier East’s Isaiah Kinder breaks down fit with William & Mary
– Besides Edmond Harvey signing with Fairmont State, Capital coach Jon Carpenter said he has three more players that eventually may sign with Shepherd.
– Madonna has several kids still weighing their options as well. 7-foot-2 Josh Martin is considering a preferred walk-on spot with Marshall or an opportunity with Shepherd. He also has a visit set with Glenville State. Running back Elliot Nero has potential options with Mount Union and West Virginia Wesleyan. OL/DL Garrett Bever will play at Bethany. OL/DL Shain Livada has options at either Geneva College or Bethany. TE/DE Nate Guio is still undecided, but likes potential with Shepherd.
– Bridgeport’s Tyler Morgan will be signing with Fairmont State later this week on Friday.
– At Woodrow Wilson, aside from Chase Hancock walking-on at Marshall, receiver Ian Honaker will sign on scholarship at the University of Charleston.
– Added to the signings from University listed above, 6-foot-3, 250 OL/DL Clint Arbaugh will sign with Shepherd. OL/DL Jeff Headley took a walk-on spot with WVU.
More: University’s Tony Richardson and Jack Armstrong get set for FCS level
– Wheeling Park 6-foot-5, 255 pound OL/DL Matt Hackathorn will join teammates Zach Phillips and Geremy Paige at Gannon University. Also, OL/DL Eric McCave will play for Mercyhurst University.
– Joining Morgantown running back Chazzy Thomas at Fairmont State will be three of his offensive linemen. Zach Mayle, D.J. Summers and Andre Collins will all become Falcons with Thomas. RB/LB Logan Hatch and P/K Ruan Venture are still weighing their options.
– South Charleston OL/DL Khance Johnson has an invited walk-on spot with Marshall, WR/DB Kevin Forrest will go to the junior college route, RB/LB Jay Richardson has a spot with Alderson Broaddus and OL/DL Seth Jeffries will walk-on at West Virginia State.
– Nicholas County lineman Austin Hill signs as a preferred walk-on with Marshall.
– Again, these are just some of the players from around the state who will be signing to play football at the next level. Feel free to mention others in the comments below.