Former Ocean Lakes star joins Spartans after leaving Liberty
Tayvion Land, a former star football player at Ocean Lakes High in Virginia Beach, announced Monday he is transferring to Norfolk State.
Land, who made his announcement on Twitter, left Liberty University last month “due to the racial insensitivity displayed by leadership” at the school.
Earlier Monday afternoon, he made mention of an impending decision when he tweeted, “Black ink. Done deal. Thank you,” as he teased fans about where he was headed. Several fans asked where. He let everyone know later in the day.
Land, 5-foot-8 and 160 pounds, said he felt a lot of stress after making his decision to leave Liberty. He had a former high school teammate who went to Norfolk State and told him all about the school and the program. He also has family and friends who are “die-hard Norfolk State fans.”
But he said the main selling point came from Norfolk State coach Latrell Scott.
“He kept it real with me,” he said. “Coming from the head man, he made me feel like I was needed there.”
Scott said he’s thrilled to get a
player of Land’s ability.
“We’re very excited to add his skill set to our program,” he said. “Obviously, he had other opportunities to do a lot of things, but I think the lure of coming back home and playing in the MEAC was important to him. When you talk to him and his mother, they wanted a school and a program that wanted him for who he is. … They wanted somewhere that he could go and have a great academic and athletic career.”
Land played in 11 of the Flames’ 13 games as a true freshman in 2019, collecting 23 tackles.
As a senior at Ocean Lakes, Land was the No. 4 rising senior in The Virginian-Pilot and Daily Press rankings in the Class of 2019. He was rated a three-star prospect and the No. 7 player in the state by Rivals and the No. 10 player by 247Sports and ESPN.
Land was a two-time first-team All-Tidewater selection. He was the Class 6 Region A and Beach District Defensive Player of the Year. He also helped lead the
Dolphins to Region A and Beach District titles. He played his junior season for Catholic High, playing more than 350 snaps in man-toman coverage without allowing a touchdown.
Now he’s ready to make an impact at Norfolk State.
“I’m going to bring some swagger for sure,” he said. “And I’m going to play with a chip on my shoulder for sure. … I feel good now and I’m ready to work.”
“We’re very excited to add his skill set to our program ... I think the lure of coming back home and playing in the MEAC was important to him.” — NSU coach Latrell Scott