No fall football leads to new trend
Some Hampton Roads stars decide to graduate, enroll in college early
Princess Anne football star Tony Grimes made a huge announcement last week when the five-star recruit decided to head to college a year earlier than his expected high school graduation.
Grimes, regarded as one of the country’s top cornerbacks in the Class of 2021, announced on
Twitter he would reclassify as a Class of 2020 high school graduate and enroll at North Carolina next month.
Some wondered if it was a smart move. They asked, “Why would he want to skip his senior season?”
Turns out Grimes is a trendsetter.
On Wednesday, the Virginia High School League made a stunning announcement when it said there would be no high school football this fall. The VHSL presented three options, including one that said there would be no football at all. The two other options have football returning either in February or the spring. A final decision will be made July 27.
On Thursday, Lake Taylor rising senior Malik Newton, a two-time Abe Goldblatt All-Tidewater Player of the Year, and Oscar Smith linebacker and defensive back Maurice Freeman decided to graduate early and enroll in college in December.
Deon Glover, Grimes’ father, is glad his son didn’t wait on the VHSL to make a decision. Grimes contemplated staying at Princess Anne this fall so he could play with his team and then leave for North Carolina in January. But had he stayed — under the VHSL ruling — he wouldn’t have played high school football his senior year.
“We’re extremely relieved,” Glover said. “It lets us know that God is looking out for us … we made the right move.”
Glover said his son has been getting phone calls from other concerned athletes.
“They want to follow in his steps and do the things that he did,” he said. “(The VHSL decision) makes them understand that if something like this happens again, they can lose a whole
football season and potentially scholarships.”
What Grimes did was take matters into his own hands.
With no football this fall, many other athletes have tough decisions to make, including Maury star quarterback Eric “EJ” Gibson.
Gibson, who could graduate in December, has a grade-point average above 4.0 and is in the running to be the school’s valedictorian. He’s also coming off an incredible junior season where he threw for more than 3,500 yards and 40 touchdowns to help lead the Commodores to the Class 5 state title.
He is rated a two-star prospect by 247Sports and the No. 67 rising senior in the state, but his ranking has been hurt by not being able to attend camps this summer.
Whether Gibson stays or leaves for college early, Maury coach Dyrri McCain knows things will work out for him because of his ability and strong academics. But he also knows the VHSL’s decision has frustrated a lot of football players who were counting on this season to help them get recruited. But he’s telling his players to remain calm.
“We as coaches have to be creative,” said McCain, who last season helped send seven athletes to Division I schools and more than 10 to college. “We have to see what we can do to get that specific kid recruited or get schools interested in them.”
Over the past several weeks, many Hampton Roads athletes have made their college commitments.
But some athletes haven’t been as fortunate because they haven’t been able to get to camps and combines to showcase their skills.
“I know a couple of guys who need this last season for college,” Gibson said. “They are right on the verge of getting that scholarship.”
Lafayette coach Andy Linn said the VHSL ruling of no fall football has him feeling for his seniors, many of whom were looking at the fall season to help with their recruiting.
“You got kids who’s future of playing football in college is depending on getting some game film for colleges because none of them can visit colleges,” he said. “That’s the big thing. For my seniors, it’s not a good thing.”
Ocean Lakes coach Joe Jones has many seniors who are in that same predicament.
“I have a bunch of seniors that need a solid senior season to try to move on to the next level and get the recruitment going or going a little further,” he said.
Jones had high hopes for the upcoming season — if and when it takes place. But he knows he may not have all of his players back if the season resumes in February or the spring.
“Once (the VHSL) decision is final, that’s going to make some decisions a little clearer for some of the guys who are planning to leave after the first in January when they enroll into the school where they committed,” he said. “I feel bad for them because they won’t get to enjoy their senior season, but they also have to look after their future and make the best decision they can make for their future. I wouldn’t begrudge any player if he decides to leave early and move on.”
Coaches now wonder what’s going to happen with the early football signing period in December. Without game film, many Virginia athletes could be left out. Same with the national signing day in February since under the two VHSL options, football won’t begin until February or the spring.
“There’s no way you can keep the traditional first Wednesday in February and, if you do, there will be several signing days because of the change in seasons,” said Phoebus coach Jeremy Blunt. “I don’t see this change (or seasons) hurting them with recruiting. Only not getting on the field would hurt them.”
Lake Taylor coach Hank Sawyer said no fall football will put the onus on the coaches as far as recruiting Virginia athletes.
“College coaches are going to be in a pickle now,” he said. “College coaches are going to have to work in the spring to evaluate people and they’re going to be signing people in the summer.”
Salem coach Shawn Wilson said it’s an “uncertain” time right now. He understands why so many players have committed early, including Green.
“They want to make sure they got a home to go to,” he said. “So the recruiting process is a little different right now. Not being able to play, not being able to go to showcases, not being able to go to the camps has made it tough.”
Added Jones: “It will be interesting to see how it all works out. We’re just going to keep working and stay positive about it.”