Wide Receiver Ron Morton

Several top recruits were in attendance at Scott Stadium for the UVa-FSU football game last Saturday night. Already committed were Anthony Martinez, Jason Snelling, Brad Butler, Kenneth Tynes, Damian Spradlin and Keenan Carter. Hanging out with Antwoine Womack prior to the game was wide receiver Ron Morton (Hamilton West H.S., Trenton, NJ). As many of you remember, there was some speculation that Morton had committed to Virginia a couple of weeks ago. This info turned out to be false, but TheSabre.com learned that the Hoos are a heavy favorite for Morton. Morton's greatest asset is his speed. He runs a legitimate sub-4.4. He's also a big target at 6-1, 180 pounds.

Here are just a few of the other top recruits who were present: Marcus Vick, Michael Johnson, Darryl Tapp, Jonathan Lewis, Marcus Hamilton, Brenden Hill, Jamar Atkinson, Justin London, Stefan Orange and Jimmy Williams. Vick, Johnson, Lewis and London are all in TheSabre.com's Super Six (the top six players in the state of Virginia). Contrary to popular belief, the top two players, Kai Parham and Ahmad Brooks, were not present for the game due to prior arrangements. Those players will be making official visits to Virginia later in the year.

For more information on the state's top players, please refer to the Sabre A List.

There's been some speculation that the loss to FSU could make recruiting more difficult for UVa's football coaches. From what I'm hearing, it had the reverse effect. Several top in-state players are leaning to UVa more now than ever. Rumor has it that Jonathan Lewis is leaning slightly to UVa. Rumors are floating around that Michael Johnson will soon become a Wahoo. Johnson is arguably the best tailback in the country, and certainly the best in the state of Virginia.

Why all of the strong interest so soon after UVa's third loss in a row? Some say that the early commitment of quarterback Anthony Martinez is having an effect on these blue chip recruits. And why not? Martinez is one of the best quarterback prospects in the country. With Martinez in Charlottesville last weekend, you can bet he got the attention of many of those recruits.

Speaking of top quarterback prospects. I received an email the other day from a person close to the situation who says that Marcus Vick is still leaning to UVa. Virginia has made it clear that they are looking for two quarterbacks in this class, but to get two in the nation's top ten, and both from the same state, would be a major victory. Stay tuned.

Basketball

Swing Guard J.R. Reynolds

Still no official word that nationally ranked guard J.R. Reynolds has committed to Virginia, but sources have confirmed that Reynolds committed to the program a couple of months ago.

Game time for the UVa-Wake Forest football game has been set at noon for Saturday, November 3rd. The game will be televised regionally by the Jefferson Pilot-ACC Sports Network.

Tickets for the Wake Forest and Georgia Tech home football games are still available. To reserve your seats, please contact the UVa Ticket Office at 434-924-8821 or toll free at 1-800-542-8821. Tickets for Virginia Tech and Penn State are sold out.

Virginia Basketball opens up its season with two exhibition games in early November. The first is a contest with the Nantucket Nectars on Friday, November 2nd at 7:30 p.m. The second exhibition game is with the Los Angeles Stars on Sunday, November 11th at 2:00 p.m. Both games will be played at University Hall. Admission is only $5.00 for children and adults.

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