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Antwan Stewart, a running back/wide receiver prospect from Potomac HS in Dumfries, VA has finally made his choice of colleges. Stewart has chosen Tennessee instead of Virginia. As most of you know, the 6-0, 180-pound speed burner had originally committed to UVa a couple of months ago, then de-committed later on in the recruiting process, saying that he was unsure of his decision. Many thought that he would re-commit, but apparently Tennessee got the best of him.

Commitment tonight?

Rumors are flying that Virginia may receive a football commitment tonight. The announcement is scheduled for 6:45 PM and will be aired on WLEE 990AM Richmond. For those outside the station's listening area, try logging onto their website at www.radiorichmond.com. Look for a SabreMail breaking news if these rumors turn out to be true.

Why have one, when you can have two?

There's some speculation that there may be another UVa football commitment tonight as well. Rumors are flying that a five star in-state recruit may indeed commit shortly after the first commitment is aired on WLEE. The best guess is that this could be Kai Parham, the excellent linebacker from Princess Anne HS in Virginia Beach. Parham has said recently that he wants to make his announcement on ESPN's SportsCenter, and this was originally rumored to be happening on Friday. Parham is deciding between UVa and Tennessee.

How soon we all forget

With all of the concern over which five star recruits may or may not choose UVa this week or next, many have forgotten about one of the top recruiting commitments of the year, Darryl Blackstock. Blackstock committed to Virginia last season, but failed to qualify and chose to attend Fork Union Military Academy to get his academics in order. Blackstock re-committed to the Hoos earlier this recruiting season and is looking forward to getting on the field and helping UVa excel.

We caught up with Darryl and FUMA Post Graduate Football Head Coach John Shuman this week. Here's what Coach Shuman had to say about this remarkable 6-4, 230-pound quarterback hunter.

On Blackstock at FUMA:

"He's a first class guy," Coach Shuman said. "He's been first class in the barracks, in the classroom and on the field. There was a lot of concern getting him up here from Newport News and seeing if he could adjust to military life. But he's a Sergeant already, and he's got no demerits. He's a good leader over there. He's been great so far in the classroom. He got an outstanding score on his ACT. We're feeling real positive."

On Blackstock with regards to qualifying:

"We set up the opportunity [to do well], but he's the one that took advantage of it," Coach Shuman said. "He worked hard. Being a repeat senior, you have to be in some tough courses here, and he's battled through and he's getting it done. He's really getting it done."

On Blackstock on the field:

"I don't know how many sacks he had out of high school, but here's a guy that had 23 sacks this year for us," Coach Shuman said. "He's so intense and relentless coming off the line of scrimmage, and getting to the quarterback. He's just been outstanding. He's got a high-rate motor. He flies around. He's good against the run and good against the pass. He is up there. I told someone the other day, and I really believe this, I think he's the best player I've ever been around in 21 years.

"He not only played defense, he was one of the only guys here that went both ways for us. He played tight end and defensive end. He ended up with about 15 catches and three touchdowns on that side of the ball. He showed a tremendous amount of effort and ability on the defensive side. Four 15-minute quarters will get you, you know? And he wasn't coming out. I told him to stay out there, because his half speed was better than what we had on the bench.

"He's got it in his dreams to be a split end, which is why he probably hit you with his forty time. He has great hands and good speed. It wouldn't shock me if [UVa] flexes him out a couple of times next year on offense.

"Darryl is not only a talent, but he's got football savvy and a little city slickness to him. He just comes at you. He's going to be an intense competitor. There's only been a few guys that have come through here that can compete in that intense way. There's been [Dexter] Coakley, Billy [McMullen] and now Darryl. Darryl plays at a pro speed all the time. He's going to be like Marcus Hagans and Billy [McMullen] and make everyone around him better. It's going to be a good fit."

Ten Questions with Darryl Blackstock:

SM: Have you gotten your qualifying scores in order to enter UVa next season?

Blackstock: Yes, I did. I qualified the first time I took the ACT.

SM: Was it worth it to you to go to FUMA and qualify for a school like UVA, rather than go to a school like Marshall or some D-1A school that may gotten you in last season?

Blackstock: Yes, it was. I don't think another school would have gone that extra mile to help me get through this year. It made me believe in myself more to get the job done.

SM: Talk about your experience at FUMA thus far. What's it like there? What have you learned about time management and keeping your academics in order that may help you at UVa.

Blackstock: The experience was nothing special. There were plenty of gut checks and plenty of tests to see who can get the job done. It's like a test every day, and you either pass or you fail. You pass by get through the military, the schoolwork and having a great performance on the field. People fail every day. There are at least 10 to 15 people who get kicked out every week. The main thing I learned was to get my work done first, then worry about sports. The way the system is built here is to explain the hardest information in the simplest way so that all of the Cadets (students) can get what they need to make it to the next level.

SM: Talk about FUMA football and how you think that may have prepared you for UVa. Did you get experience in some areas that you wouldn't have had if you started college last year?

Blackstock: Football was the hardest. After a long day of marching and doing military stuff, you had to go out into the blazing sun and run, run, run, run, run. But after you realized that it's mind over matter, it got really easy and that's when the game became fun again.

SM: What are your expectations for next season at UVa? What do you want to accomplish? What are your goals?

Blackstock: My goals are to perform to my ability and to get an education off the field. But, while I'm on the field, I want to break Chris Slade's career sack record (40) before I graduate from UVa.

SM: What position are you likely to play at the next level? Some say that you're a defensive end, but you had mentioned outside linebacker to me a couple of emails ago.

Blackstock: The plan was for me to be a defensive end. The coach called me out of the blue and told me he was moving me to outside linebacker. I thought that was great. It's time for me to move around the field a little more. But, I still think I should be a running back.

SM: You were initially recruited by Coach Welsh's staff. How have you been treated by Virginia's new staff and what are your impressions of them?

Blackstock: I think the staff at UVa is building a wonderful team. The program will get bigger and bigger as the 'games' go by. The players on the team will start to learn and figure out how good we really are from the techniques and the style of football that will be taught. Think about it - we have a coach from the NFL.

SM: When Coach Welsh retired, did you start thinking about other schools, or did you wait and see who would be on the new staff?

Blackstock: I was thinking about other schools. At the time, I didn't UVa was in the picture any more.

SM: You are now part of one of the greatest recruiting classes at UVa, if not the best ever. How soon do you think that you and the rest of the new recruits will be able to turn UVa football around and make them a national championship caliber team?

Blackstock: I really can't say. But, I always day dream it will happen in a year or two. And when I have a funny feeling about something, 9 times out of 10 I'm right.

SM: Have you spoken with any of the other recruits? What do you guys talk about?

Blackstock: Just Mike Johnson, Marcus Vick and Ahmad Brooks, and they're all undecided.

SM: Last question. You've been compared to one of the greatest pass rushers at UVa, Chris Slade. How would you say you compare to him? Is there anyone else that you think you model your game after?

Virginia to host 3rd ranked Maryland tonight

The Cavalier basketball program will host Maryland tonight at 7:00 PM in University Hall. The Hoos lost a tough-fought battle against the Duke Blue Devils in Cameron last Sunday and hope to rebound by taking out the Terrapins on national television this evening. The game was originally scheduled to be televised by ESPN, but has recently been moved to ESPN2. Please make a note of the change. This game is sold out.

When do they play again?

Virginia's next basketball contest is at Missouri. Missouri was ranked as high as #3 this season, but tough scheduling and several losses have dropped the Tigers to 24th in the Coaches Poll. The game marks one of UVa's toughest road challenges against an out of conference team this season. Currently, the Cavs are riding a 27-game winning streak against out of conference competition, stretching back to the 1999-2000 season. The Missouri game is scheduled for February 3rd at 2:00 PM and will be picked up by ABC TV.

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