This is the big recruiting weekend. See info below for details.

The long awaited recruiting weekend of January 18th is only a day away. While this has been talked about endlessly for several months, the importance of this weekend for Virginia Football should not be underestimated. While Virginia has already landed one of its best recruiting classes in the history of its program, just a few commitments from this crop of players could land UVa their best class ever and a national recruiting class ranking in the Top 10. Some say that if most of the top players visiting this weekend commit to UVa, the Cavaliers could potentially have the number one class overall.

This weekend, several top national high school athletes will come together for perhaps the greatest gathering of superstar prospects at UVa on any one recruiting visit in the history of the program. Names like Ahmad Brooks, Kai Parham, Marcus Vick, Jonathan Lewis, Marcus Hamilton and Michael Johnson, Jr. are the headliners of the weekend.

Do not let these players overshadow some of the other talented stars that will be on grounds. Other uncommitted players making their official visits are Brenden Hill, Brandon Snow, Daniel Inman, Ron Darden and Shadeed Harris. One player previously expected to visit, but will not, is defensive back Jimmy Williams.

A few "committed" recruits will also be taking their official visits, like Keenan Carter, Robert Armstrong, Antwan Stewart, Kenneth Tynes and Willie Davis. Anthony Martinez and Kwakou Robinson will not be taking visits this weekend as previously rumored.

There's no doubt that by having all of these outstanding athletes on grounds at the same time increases Virginia's chances of landing at least a few. Some players have indicated that they'll still wait until several days, or even a week, before making their final decisions. Still, UVa couldn't have placed itself in a better position. None of these players have committed to any school, and this is one of the last weekends for official visits before the National Football Signing Day on February 6th.

Here are some tidbits of information on each recruit that will be visiting this weekend.

Robert Armstrong, Defensive Line, 6-3, 300
Washington & Lee HS, Arlington,VA

Armstrong has already committed to Virginia. Relatively unknown early in the recruiting process, but has gained some ground since.

Armstrong achieved All-State honors in Virginia this season, and is projected to play defensive tackle at the college level. Armstrong is quick for his size (5.0 forty) and has good foot speed. His strength is stopping the run.

Ahmad Brooks, Linebacker, 6-4, 230
C.D. Hylton HS, Woodbridge, VA

Brooks is the best linebacker and arguably the best overall defensive player in the country. He's a SuperPrep All-American, and is rated the number one linebacker prospect nationally by Rivals100.com. Brooks brings speed, strength and instincts to the football field. He seems to know exactly where to go every time the ball is snapped. Also an outstanding running back, he took second-team All-State honors at running back in addition to first-team All-State at linebacker. He's currently considering Florida State, Virginia and Virginia Tech.

Brooks is a player that, if he committed to UVa, would likely cause a domino effect amongst the other top players visiting this weekend. But, Brooks says that the shoe is not necessarily on the other foot.

"No, that's not really a factor for me," said Brooks, "I would like to know who I'm playing with, but I'm going to make my own decision. I've got to have good terms with the coaches. I've got to like them. I do want to start my freshman year and want to get an education."

Brooks has spent some time with UVa's coaches during unofficial visits, so he's gotten to know them enough to know what UVa has to offer.

"Their coaches are cool," Brooks said. "They're young coaches. They show you love - they're always calling you, coming down to your house, telling you they're thinking about you. They're just nice people."

Give the UVa coaching staff credit for their efforts to keep Brooks in the state. Past top performers, like Ronald Curry and David Terrell, have opted to leave the state.

"I don't know that you could work any harder than what they're doing," said Hylton Coach Bill Brown, whose relationship with Groh dates back to Groh's days as an assistant at North Carolina 25 years ago. "I don't know that you could recruit any better. I don't think they've left any stone unturned. Al Groh was sitting in this office before he even knew about Ahmad Brooks, because he was hitting these schools himself. Not just Hylton High School - all these schools. That let us know that they were going to get out and recruit and they were going to work at it. I've seen no evidence of anything but that since that day. They're doing their part of it - I can promise you that - but the other schools are too."

Keenan Carter, Defensive Line, 6-3, 315
Potomac HS, Dumfries, VA

This kid is a monster on the football field. Carter simply destroys opposing teams' offensive lines. At 315 pounds, he has tremendous power. But don't be fooled, Carter has quick feet and great moves for a young man of his stature. Carter committed to the Cavaliers early in the recruiting process and has been one of the best recruiters for UVa ever since. Carter has a lighter side about him that seems to put others around him at ease. There aren't many in-state recruits that do not know and like Keenan. There's no doubt that his official visit had to be planned around this weekend. Carter is the class clown and makes everybody laugh. The other recruits will surely have a great time around him this weekend.

Ron Darden, Defensive Line, 6-4, 315
Glen Burnie HS, Glen Burnie, MD

While he is considered one of the top players in Maryland, Rivals lists him as an unranked player. Darden showed up on UVa's radar screen late, and the numbers may work against him since the Cavaliers have only a few scholarships left to give, and they'd like to offer those to Parham, Brooks, Stovall, Johnson, Lewis, Vick and Hamilton. Still, UVa needs defensive linemen, and Darden says he's got high interest in UVa and would commit if offered a scholarship. Perhaps that will be a reality if Lewis decides on Virginia Tech, as everyone is expected. Darden was one of the participants in the U.S. Army All-Star game in San Antonio, along with UVa commitment Kwakou Robinson and highly touted recruits Kai Parham, Jonathan Lewis and Ahmad Brooks.

Willie Davis, Safety, 6-2, 190
Laney HS, Wilmington, NC

Davis is probably one of the most underrated safeties in the nation. Davis is a hard hitter and an instinctive player at the safety position. Davis committed to UVa early.

"Willie is one of the hardest hitters I've ever coached," Laney High Coach Gordon Waters said. "He's the 6th kid we've sent to the ACC in 3 years. Willie's a great young man."

Marcus Hamilton, Corner, Centreville HS, Clifton, VA

Hamilton is a cover corner in every sense of the word. While he runs just a 4.5 in the forty, he makes up for it with amazing footwork and ability. Rivals rates him the 11th best corner in the nation. Hamilton has listed several leaders over the course of the recruiting season, including Tennessee and Georgia. Both have been dropped from his list and now it appears to be a battle between Maryland and Virginia, although many insiders believe that Hamilton will commit to the Hoos shortly after this weekend. He's been on the edge of committing for months, and I believe that his official visit will be the proof he needs to pull the trigger. Hamilton pretty much said just that in an earlier interview with TheSabre.com.

"I've been waiting to see the [UVa] area and the campus before I make my decision," Hamilton told TheSabre.com in December. "I'll probably wait until my official visit [the weekend of January 18th] before I decide. It will more than likely be the 21st - that's like the day after I get back home. I'll get back on the 20th and have a day to think about it, and the 21st I'll make my decision."

Shadeed Harris, Tight End, 6-2, 220
Phoebus HS, Hampton, VA

Harris is listed as a tight end, but could play defensive line at the next level. He runs a 4.7 forty, which is pretty good for a young man of his size and strength. He's currently committed to Syracuse, but has some interest in Virginia and West Virginia.

Brenden Hill, Wide Receiver, 6-3, 180
Warwick HS, Newport News, VA

Hill was Marcus Vick's primary target the past two seasons, so it's no wonder that they're visiting on the same weekend. Hill has great hands and good speed. He has the ability to get open on almost every play.

There's some speculation that he will commit to UVa and spend a semester at Fork Union. Hill lists UVa among his favorites, along with West Virginia and Virginia Tech.

Daniel Inman, Offensive Line, 6-7, 300
South View HS, Hope Mills, NC

Listed as the 40th best offensive tackle by Rivals, Inman is interested in Virginia, Clemson, Georgia, N.C. State and East Carolina. He could still put some weight on his massive 6-7 frame.

Michael Johnson, Jr., Tailback, 5-10, 180
Heritage HS, Newport News, VA

Johnson is one of the fastest young men on the planet. At UVa's summer camp, he was clocked in the 4.2's twice in the forty-yard dash (4.24 and 4.27). For those who know anything about speed, that's blazing. Not many NFL players run that fast, so you can easily see the impact that Johnson would have as a tailback or wide receiver. While Johnson says to the media that Miami is the team to beat, many insiders believe that he will commit to Virginia along with good friend Marcus Hamilton. Johnson had a few injuries his senior year that limited his performance somewhat, but still finished with 1,312 yards rushing and 27 TD's. For his three-year career, Johnson has amassed 4,310 yards and scored 95 touchdowns.

Jonathan Lewis, Defensive Line, 6-2, 290
Varina HS, Richmond, VA

Lewis is just the player UVa needs on the defensive line. He's got great size, excellent speed (4.9 forty) and amazing strength. While Virginia Tech is going to be hard to beat for Lewis' services, he still camped at UVa last summer and enjoyed the coaching staff, especially defensive line coach Mike London. Lewis has shown interest in other schools, like FSU and Miami, but VT and UVa are the two teams to beat. This weekend will go a long way in determining whether Lewis changes his tune.

"(Virginia's) strength is the recruiting class they've got coming in," Lewis says. "I know [Anthony] Martinez, and I'd like to play with a good recruiting class."

Kai Parham, Linebacker, 6-4, 235
Princess Anne HS, Virginia Beach, VA

Parham is listed as a defensive end from most recruiting services, but most believe that he'll make his college mark at linebacker. Kai comes from a college-oriented family and says that education is very important in his decision. One would find that comment odd considering that the other team he's considering is Tennessee, a program that has consistently produced one of the worst graduation rates for African-American athletes over the past decade. Many believe it's only a matter of time before Kai decides that Virginia's the place for him.

"I feel that I should sign with a school that has a name academically, and that carries as much weight as its football team," Parham told TheSare.com in August. "I want to go to a school that, when I get out and apply for a job, [my degree] commands respect. I don't want to go to just any old school."

Parham was selected as Gatorade's Virginia High School Football Player of the Year for 2001. He had 152 tackles, 19 sacks, 14 tackles for a loss, five interceptions and six fumble recoveries for 2001.

Brandon Snow, Fullback, 6-2, 225
Newark HS, Newark, DE

Snow is considered one of the very best fullbacks in the country. The book on his is his blocking, which is nothing less than spectacular. Rivals ranks him 3rd overall at his position nationally. While UVa has several scholarships earmarked for the top players in the state, they'd love to make room for Snow. Snow has interest in Miami, Penn State, Tennessee, Maryland and Virginia. He's taken visits to Tennessee, Penn State and Maryland, and is scheduled to visit Miami next weekend. Snow claims no leader at the moment.

Antwan Stewart, Athlete, 6-0, 180
Potomac HS, Dumfries, VA

Everyone lists him as a running back, but it's probably safer to list him as an athlete. Stewart has blazing speed and can play any number of positions. Cornerback and wide receiver seem to be his best positions, although he can do some damage at tailback. He covers well at defensive back, and he has breakaway speed as a receiver. Stewart has great concentration and ball awareness. He can go up high for a ball, and plays much taller than his listed height. While he committed to Virginia earlier, Stewart has recently taken a look at Tennessee. This weekend is important to Stewart to decide whether he's right with his decision to stick with UVa.

Kenneth Tynes, Running Back, 6-0, 180
Centreville HS, Clifton, VA

Tynes' stock rose considerably at Virginia's football camp this summer, as he was one of the best defensive backs at the camp. Rated as a defensive back, Tynes is one of the best in the state, behind only Marcus Hamilton. Listed as a three-star running back by Rivals100.com. Productive as a running back, but could be a better college prospect at defensive back. Tynes has great speed (4.3 forty). Tynes was one of Virginia's earlier commitments.

Marcus Vick, Quarterback, 6-1, 180
Warwick HS, Newport News, VA

Virginia beats UNC and Wake

While the Cavaliers struggled a bit at North Carolina last Saturday, they still pulled off a win in the Dean Dome, and that's something to be thankful for no matter how poorly the Tar Heels are playing this season. ACC road wins are few and far between, and the Cavaliers got a "W" in the won-loss column by defeating Carolina 71-67.

The Hoos got back on track and played like a Top 10 team last Tuesday, defeating 14th ranked Wake Forest in University Hall. The Cavaliers fell behind by as many as 11 points early in the contest before Roger Mason and Jermaine Harper started stripping the nets from behind the arc. Travis Watson added another double-double to his collection, by scoring 20 points and pulling down a career-high 17 rebounds. Watson frustrated Wake's Darius Songaila most of the evening, holding him to 11 points (five from the charity stripe) before Songaila eventually fouled out of the contest.

For news articles and links to notes and stats from these games, please see the schedule page.

IMPORTANT!

Virginia's next basketball contest is against Florida State this Sunday at 4pm, not on Saturday as previously documented. Please note that this is a change from previous schedules that were circulating on the Internet and in the programs and ticket brochures from earlier in the year. The Florida State game will be televised by Jefferson-Raycom Sports. If you want to get a good look at the football recruits mentioned above, don't miss this game. Rumor has it that they'll enter the arena where the basketball players usually enter.

The Wahoos have a couple of games scheduled for next week. On Tuesday, they travel to Atlanta to face Georgia Tech. On Thursday, the Hoos come home to University Hall to face out of conference foe VMI. The Georgia Tech game is scheduled for 7:30 PM and will be picked up by ESPN2. The VMI game is also a 7:30 contest and is not scheduled to be televised.

You can listen to the radio broadcast locally, or tune in to www.virginiasports.com or www.wina.com and listen over the Internet. See schedule page for info on notes and stats leading up to the game.

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