Division I college football programs targeting the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference (WCAC) better move quickly because three of the affiliation's top recruits are already off the market.
DeMatha seniors Jeff Knox and Kyrrel Latimer and Good Counsel senior E.J Scott ended their recruitment over the weekend by making verbal commitments.
Kyrrel Lattimore, DeMatha
Photo by Michael Starghill Jr.
Scott and Latimer made pledges to the University of Virginia. Scott, a 5-foot-11 senior, made the decision at UVA's junior day, choosing the Cavaliers over Wake Forest, Pittsburgh, Maryland and Wisconsin, to name a few.
After amassing 475 yards and nine touchdowns during his junior season, Scott will start at the slot receiver position for Good Counsel this fall and he may see some time at cornerback.
"E.J. is a two-year starter,” Good Counsel coach Bob Milloy said. “He’s a wide receiver, but he can also play defense. He can run kicks back, too."
Latimer, who is 5-10 and weights 205 pounds, announced his verbal commitment Sunday.
"I have committed to Virginia," Latimer said. "It is a great place and I knew it was where I wanted to be. My decision is about both football and academics, and at Virginia, I can receive the best of both. When I looked at it all, UVA offers me the opportunity to excel on the field and in life off of it."
According to DeMatha coach Bill McGregor, Latimer chose Virginia over New Mexico, Towson and Delaware, and McGregor expects big things out of Latimer during the 2009 season.
"He plays safety and wide receiver for us, and I love Kyrrel because he is a leader," McGregor said. "We are doing 7-on-7 right now, and he’s taking control. He’s making sure everyone is where they’re supposed to be and in the weight room.”
When Scott and Latimer arrive at Virginia in 2010, they will see a number of familiar faces, including Nick Jenkins (Good Counsel), Cameron Johnson (Gonzaga), Rodney McLeod (DeMatha), Colter Phillips (Georgetown Prep) and Jeremiah Mathis (DeMatha).
There may be more familiar faces on the way as well. Virginia offered DeMatha lineman Shane Johnson Saturday, and Brandon Coleman (McNamara) also holds an offer from UVA.
Knox verbally committed to the University of Pittsburgh on Sunday. A 6-2, 205-pound running back and defensive back, Knox picked Pittsburgh over Akron, Maryland, Miami (Ohio), Michigan, New Mexico, Penn State, Wake Forest and Towson.
Knox transferred to DeMatha after playing two seasons at Pennsylvania's Central Catholic High School. He is the third recruit from the Class of 2010 to give a verbal commitment to Pittsburgh.
Todd Bradley is the Editor-in-Chief of DCSportsFan.com, which covers high school athletics in the Washington, D.C. area.
