Two Hargrave Post-Graduate Football Players impress.
By Chris Horne
This article is reprinted online with permission from the TechSideline.com. “Hargrave Notes: Norman and Rhodes Looking Good” first appeared August 25, 2009 on TechSideline.com. Chris Horne is a TechSideline.com sports writer.
There is no question about it. Theron Norman and DeAntre Rhodes would much rather be suiting up for the maroon and orange of Virginia Tech than the black and orange of Hargrave Military Academy. But both prospects, recruits in Tech’s 2009 class, are embracing the Hargrave experience as much as possible… and they are determined to enroll at Virginia Tech in January of 2010.
“So far, everything’s going good. We’re just trying to get used to the military thing and transition over to the football thing, but it’s going good so far,” Norman said. “We’re just taking one day at a time, trying to get better.”
Going through the Hargrave experience together is a plus for the future Tech teammates, who played against each other at the high school varsity level. Norman attended Hermitage High School (Richmond) while Rhodes is a product of Varina High School.
“Once he told me he was coming here, I was happy,” Rhodes said. “I felt bad for him, that he couldn’t get to Tech with everybody else, but when he told me I was happy because I got an extra person I know. It made everything a little more comfortable for me coming here.”
To qualify, Norman needs a better score on the SAT, which he says he needs to improve by 30 points to make his goal of January enrollment. Rhodes has work to do on the SAT but also says he is retaking Algebra 2 “to pump up my GPA.” Coach Robert Prunty added that he expects both players to enroll at Tech in January.
Prunty has been impressed by what he has seen out of both prospects. He has lined up Norman, a safety/wide receiver in high school, at safety. Rhodes, a defensive tackle/offensive guard at Varina, lines up primarily at defensive end but will move inside to defensive tackle as well.
“Theron Norman may be one of the best safeties to come through here. He’s a specimen,” Prunty said. “This kid is going to end up being like an Aaron Rouse. He’s an Aaron Rouse/Kam Chancellor type. That’s the mold he’s in. He’s long and rangy. He’s more of a bucked-up kid. He’s a bigger kid, but he’s got range.
“DeAntre will remind you a lot of Cornell Brown coming off that edge. Rhodes has that natural pass rushing ability. I like him at end, but by his sophomore year he’ll be a tackle. Especially at Virginia Tech with the system they run.”
Norman has bulked up to 205 pounds and stands at 6-3. More importantly, he has recovered fully from a pulled hamstring that plagued him throughout his senior season.
“I’m healthy now. I’m 100-percent, so I’m ready to roll,” Norman said.
“Being here is really going to help me because we play against college athletes also, so we’re getting used to the size and the speed. I feel like I’m adjusting well to it. I just try to be a team player and to be aggressive at all times.”
Rhodes has trimmed down to about 255 or 260 pounds. And he is excited about the opportunity to play defensive end.
“I’m liking that more. I lost about 10 pounds, so I’m liking it,” said the 6-3 Rhodes said. “I like the edge. I feel like I can beat any tackle out there. I feel like I’m doing pretty well. I’m going against a lot of D1 players. They’re getting me ready and I’m getting them ready just as well.”
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More notes from Hargrave’s media day…
Former Hermitage teammate and good friend Duan Perez-Means, a defensive end prospect who also signed with Tech in the 2009 class, is recovering well from summer shoulder surgery according to Norman. Perez-Means plans to enroll at Tech in January.
“He’s doing all right,” Norman reported.
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Coach Prunty, who seemed to be in an especially good mood on Monday, has enjoyed working with his 2009 group.
“We’re well balanced. We’ve got some good guys and they’re working hard,” Prunty said. “They all relate to each other strongly. They’re all showing leadership. We’re having fun. I have a smile on my face, so I really like this team a lot.”
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Coach Prunty relayed the news that 2009 class Miami (FL) signee Prince Kent has decided to re-open his recruitment. Kent confirmed the news but was quiet in terms of naming which schools he is now considering.
“I’m just trying to be that lock-down corner here,” said the 6-3, 205-pound Kent, a top national recruit out of Norcross, Georgia. “I’m not really focused on college. I think that’ll take care of itself. I’m just focused on grades and being a big-time corner for our team.”
Kent plans to enroll at a college in January. According to Coach Prunty, “about 50 schools” have inquired about Kent already.
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Ego “JR” Ferguson, who transferred to Hargrave from St. John’s Prep (Frederick, MD), is one of the most highly recruited defensive lineman in the 2010 recruiting class. His finalist list of 15 does not include Virginia Tech, but he didn’t rule out anything at this point.
“I’ve narrowed my list to 15,” said the 6-4, 285-pound defensive end, who is actually a high school senior suiting up for Coach Prunty’s post-grad program. “As of right now they are not in the mix, but, even though I’m down to 15, you never know what can happen.”
Prunty has seen why Ferguson is a top prospect.
“He has leverage, balance…he’s going to be a pro,” Prunty said. “He’s a hard worker. He has a tenacious attitude.”
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Prunty says that Virginia Tech’s Bryan Stinespring has called inquiring about 6-9, 333-pound offensive tackle Dan Polaski. A Massachusetts native, Polaski transferred to Hargrave last year for his senior year and decided to prep this year for a shot at a Division 1A scholarship.
“He has come back here at 6-9, 333. He looks great,” Prunty said. “Coming back two years did him proud.”
Polaski says most schools would like to see his first two games before pursuing any further.
