Hendricks commits to Miami; UVa recruits shopping


From Staff Reports / Charlottesville Daily Progress
January 26, 2004


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While two of the Gold List’s top five football prospects are wrapping up their official visits, Virginia lost out on another out-of-state recruit on Monday when New Jersey defensive tackle Dwayne Hendricks committed to new ACC member Miami.

Hendricks, ranked the No. 11 defensive tackle in the country by Rivals and the No. 3 overall prospect in New Jersey by SuperPrep, chose the Hurricanes over Virginia and Iowa. He also had offers from Florida, Michigan and Penn State.

The big tackle said he committed to Miami last week when ‘Canes head coach Larry Coker visited his Millville, N.J., home, but waited to announce his choice until after his official visit to South Florida over the weekend to make sure he was comfortable with the decision.

Meanwhile, Eddie Royal, a wide receiver from Westfield High in Chantilly, took his official visit to Virginia Tech. Ranked as the top receiver prospect in the state by The Daily Progress’ Gold List, Royal is the No. 5 overall prospect in the state.

Royal said he enjoyed his visit to Virginia Tech, where his official host was Hokies’ back-up quarterback Marcus Vick. He has one remaining visit to Marshall and said he will choose between Tech, UVa and Marshall on Feb. 4, national signing day.

Virginia coach Al Groh has an in-home visit scheduled with Royal on Wednesday.

The Gold List’s No. 4 ranked player, Kecoughtan linebacker Jerod Mayo eliminated Purdue from his list of finalists over the weekend. Mayo will now choose between UVa, Tech, N.C. State and Tennessee.

He said he will eliminate another team from his list by the end of this week and plans to announce his choice near signing day.

Mayo also visited Virginia Tech over the weekend and enjoyed his trip, noting that Tech coaches described his role in the Hokies’ new 4-3 defensive scheme.

N.C. State coach Chuck Amato will be visiting Mayo’s home in Hampton tonight, with Tennessee coach Phil Fulmer scheduled for Wednesday. UVa recruiting coordinator Mike London is also dropping by this week.

Charlotte running back Andrew Pearman, brother of current UVa tailback Alvin Pearman, took his official visit to Charlottesville over the weekend. He committed early but re-opened his recruitment a few weeks ago and has since visiting Army, South Carolina and Wake Forest. He is scheduled to visit Hawaii this week.
 

Reynolds emerges as critical element
After long period of injury, illness, fully-recovered freshman guard displays talent, composure, intensity in offense, defense to earn praise from coach Gillen

Jonathan Evans
Cavalier Daily Associate Editor


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Guard J.R. Reynolds was named ACC Rookie of the Week after scoring 26 points and shooting 64.3 percent from the field in the Clemson and North Carolina games. He also had four assists, three steals and three rebounds. Cavalier Daily file photo
He was there, but he wasn't really there. His number two jersey was on his back as he ran up and down the court, but he would tell you himself that he wasn't really playing basketball.

Freshman guard J.R. Reynolds couldn't play his brand of basketball until less than a month ago. It wasn't until early January when the Roanoke, Va. native was able to put all injury and health concerns behind him and focus solely on basketball.

"My injury held me back from doing some of the things that I wanted to do," Reynolds said. "I'm just trying to come back and play hard."

An injury to his non-shooting hand was the first physical stumbling block in the young career of the 6' 2" off-guard.

"I had never been injured before, I never needed surgery before," Reynolds said. "So the thumb was holding me back a little bit."

Fully recovered, Reynolds said he no longer worries about his thumb, nor does he have to deal with the illness that kept him out of Virginia's games against Loyola Marymount and Costal Carolina. Now that he no longer has to hold back, Reynolds is letting the ACC know what type of talent he has.

A pure shooter, Reynolds boasts a smooth stroke which proved to be lethal from beyond the arc when his three three-point shots led Virginia to a home win over Clemson. Thus far in the conference season, Reynolds is second only to Devin Smith in three-point field goal percentage among Cavaliers, shooting 39.1 percent from long range.

Though a freshman, Reynolds has exhibited a work ethic and a composure which has endeared him to Virginia coach Pete Gillen.

"He has really good poise," Gillen said.

Reynolds was one of few Cavaliers to earn the coach's praise after a loss at North Carolina.

"I thought he did a really good job," Gillen said.

Reynolds is one Cavalier who has taken Gillen's message of defensive intensity to heart. His on-the-ball perimeter defense has been a steadying influence on a team whose defense is rocky at times. Reynolds has been called on to guard some of the premiere perimeter players in the ACC. From Tim Pickett to Rashad McCants, Reynolds relishes the challenge of shutting down an opposing team's top threat.

"I like all challenges," Reynolds said. "I just try and not let that player score as many points on me."

Reynolds is not one to back down from a challenge, whether he's faced with a standout guard or 20,000 people wearing powder blue. He showed no fear in his first appearance on the hallowed hardwood of the North Carolina Dean Dome. Reynolds played with an aggressiveness and composure that led him to shoot 5-9 from the floor, ending the game with 15 points and three rebounds.

Clearly Reynolds is hitting his stride as his role in the Cavalier lineup has increased. As he has played more minutes, Reynolds has responded by shooting better from the field, connecting on 46.7 percent of his field goals in the conference season. Reynolds has also shouldered more of his team's scoring load, totaling 34 points in last three games.

"I'm more relaxed now," Reynolds said. "I'm just letting the game come to me. I'm not forcing anything."

While he may not be forcing anything on the hardwood, Reynolds is forcing opponents to pay attention and realize that he is present on the court, sinking shot after shot.