Appomattox' Graves impresses at combine

[mike salem]

Appomattox wide receiver and defensive back De’Von Graves was named Monday to the U.S. Army National Combine defensive second team.

http://www.newsadvance.com/sports/h...cle_fa426bbc-fe27-5405-84dd-98f1010f615e.html

Also Doug Smith was presented with his Top 2 finish among the best HS football coaches nationally during HT of the Under Armour All Star game that was played around the beginning of the New Year!

http://www.newsadvance.com/sports/h...cle_4e3f8cbb-52f5-5649-9939-6bb44a5e9a88.html

 

[Hampton Roads 6]

Hopefully he will decomitt from NC State and go to VT.

 

[AdvocateOfMany434]

Hopefully he will decomitt from NC State and go to VT.

As much as I want to agree with you because I am a big VT fan. I like a man of his word more. Graves told NC State YES, well be a man of your word and stay there. I would agree if it was a D2 and then a D1 offered after giving the D2 a verbal commit. The D2 has to respect that he is offered to play D1. I cant believe Liberty U hasnt made a move on him? SMH, they can forget it now. Too many irons in the fire. UVA is in the runnings too. I think they are bringing him up this week.

I didnt know VT was looking at Overstreet from Staunton River though.


Any thoughts from others? I guess Im just being old school about it.

 

[BigWinners]

Dudes a beast, he will have success wherever he goes.

 

[Ryan4VT]

I want him at VT. I walked away very impressed in Salem. As a Hokie, I want him in Blacksburg, not Raleigh.

 

[mojo on tapp]

Graves should explore every opportunity he is offered and pick the school that fits him academically, and athletically. There are so many variables that can change when you give a verbal as a sophomore, I understand keeping your word, but at the end of the day it is his future, of course as fans we want him to go to our school or stay instate, but I just hope he gets good guidance and advice and bases his decision on what works for him, and doesn't base his decision on what"we" think is best for him. What ever he decides I wish him the best!

 

[Hampton Roads 6]

NC State and UVA "are D2" compared to VT. Different ball game in Blacksburg than it is in Raleigh or Charlottesville.

 

[AdvocateOfMany434]

Graves should explore every opportunity he is offered and pick the school that fits him academically, and athletically. There are so many variables that can change when you give a verbal as a sophomore, I understand keeping your word, but at the end of the day it is his future, of course as fans we want him to go to our school or stay instate, but I just hope he gets good guidance and advice and bases his decision on what works for him, and doesn't base his decision on what"we" think is best for him. What ever he decides I wish him the best!

Im just old school about it i guess. If i got offered at NC State i would tell them Im honored and give them a hand shake that I appreciated it but i would want to see what happens my JR year. He gave them his word, i think he needs to honor it. Remind you, i have been a VT fan for 25+ years. Now if he wants to take VTs offer instead of NCState ( i know you are a fan of VT too). I am not affected by it so that is his decision in the end. Let him pick what school he feels is best for him. Im just saying if it was me, i would honor my word. Like i said, i guess im being old school about it.

Sad to say that its a shame this is frowned upon as being old school nowadays. Not saying that is what you are doing mojo.

 

[AdvocateOfMany434]

NC State and UVA "are D2" compared to VT. Different ball game in Blacksburg than it is in Raleigh or Charlottesville.

I think he will see more time on field at NC State and UVA.

 

[DanvilleSportsHead]

NC State and UVA "are D2" compared to VT. Different ball game in Blacksburg than it is in Raleigh or Charlottesville.

Nah. I'd go to UVA 2000000x before I'd go to Tech. I got into Tech and I just won't feeling it and I've had a lot of people tell me the same thing. UVA is in a class by itself.

 

[Hampton Roads 6]

I cannot understand why any good football player would want to go to UVA if they have offer from VT.

 

[BigWinners]

I cannot understand why any good football player would want to go to UVA if they have offer from VT.

Better education?

 

[eh31]

What I've watched of Graves he's very instinctful. I think he'll see the field early and often in raleigh.

Not to hijack this thread but jr. James Mitchell from Union was offered by Clemson this past week.

 

[1bburgfan]

Better education?

actually VT under grads make more than UVA under grads. Maybe if you want to be a doctor or lawyer or like to be home for Christmas than UVA is the choice.

 

[BigWinners]

actually VT under grads make more than UVA under grads. Maybe if you want to be a doctor or lawyer or like to be home for Christmas than UVA is the choice.

UVA is the third ranked public school innthe country. There's no doubt a UVA education carries more weight, not downing VT but UVA is the Ivy ofnthe South. One of best schools in the world.

 

[1bburgfan]

UVA is the third ranked public school innthe country. There's no doubt a UVA education carries more weight, not downing VT but UVA is the Ivy ofnthe South. One of best schools in the world.

weight of what , all about the paycheck. Do you buy groceries with weight?

 

[BigWinners]

weight of what , all about the paycheck. Do you buy groceries with weight?

Don't play coy you know what I'm saying. A degree from UVA is extremely prestigious.

 

[Ryan4VT]

Don't play coy you know what I'm saying. A degree from UVA is extremely prestigious.

That depends on what it's in. If you're an engineering major, no chance in hell you pass up VT. Same goes for Business. VT isn't some second rate university.

VT, football wise, is LIGHTYEARS ahead of UVA. The Cavs have nothing in the cupboard this year. 2-10 is very likely, and the recruiting hasn't blown up the world. VT, on the other hand, has a top 20 recruiting class that is likely to go up when signing day comes along. If you want to play football and win, there's no doubt that you go to Blacksburg.

 

[SpartanOfYore]

UVA is the third ranked public school innthe country. There's no doubt a UVA education carries more weight, not downing VT but UVA is the Ivy ofnthe South. One of best schools in the world.

Along with W&M, one of the original eight Public Ivies - Ivy League-quality education at a public school price.
http://brandcollegeconsulting.com/what-are-the-public-ivies/
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_Ivy

 

[ClarkeFan83]

Nah. I'd go to UVA 2000000x before I'd go to Tech. I got into Tech and I just won't feeling it and I've had a lot of people tell me the same thing. UVA is in a class by itself.

My daughter got into UVA and turned them down. She visited the campus and left during the middle of the tour. Did not like the "holier than thou" attitude that permeates the place.

 

[DanvilleSportsHead]

My daughter got into UVA and turned them down. She visited the campus and left during the middle of the tour. Did not like the "holier than thou" attitude that permeates the place.

I can understand why she would do that. It's says a lot about your daughter's ability for getting into UVA though. Definitely one of the hardest schools to get into. I personally like them because academics come first. Very classy and elegant. Tech is a great school as well but for one I wanted to come to VCU in the first place but just didn't have it coming out of high school (SAT and maturity wise) and 2 I really REALLY don't like going to schools with a lot of big time, arrogant athletes, particularly football players. Went to a D3 my freshman year and it was unbearable so I could only imagine how it would be at a Tech or WVU, 2 schools that I was considering. Luckily I didn't run into that problem at Radford and VCU

 

[bulldog1150]

A lot of the upper echelon schools have that air of superiority that turns off a lot of people including prospective students. I know of a young lady who was already accepted at Duke but was so turned off by the arrogance of the campus tour that she had no desire to attend the school. I'm a firm believer that college is what you make of it. They might use the same books at Harvard and the local community college. Everyone has the same opportunity to apply themselves.

Some schools do have loftier reputations than others and sometimes alumni connections. But education as almost every level is what you make of it. I'm not saying they aren't deserving of these accolades. But different schools fit different kids better. It is important that each student finds the environment that they can best thrive and work.

 

[Ryan4VT]

My daughter got into UVA and turned them down. She visited the campus and left during the middle of the tour. Did not like the "holier than thou" attitude that permeates the place.

This. That attitude is why I can't stand lolUVA.

 

[DanvilleSportsHead]

This. That attitude is why I can't stand lolUVA.

Ahhhhh you go to Tech so you were born to hate UVA lol!!! I think Tech will be in the college playoff next year. Also Hendon Hooker will contribute big time. Kid's gonna lead Tech to the big game. He's a winner. He's not Deshaun Watson, but he's cut from the same cloth.

 

[Ryan4VT]

I hate WVU far worse than lolUVA. I was turned off of the Hoos in high school when some classmates got accepted there or were fans there and they acted like they were far superior to the rest of us.

When I made the choice to go back to college, I applied at a few places, and was accepted to every one. Guess where I refused to apply to?

 

[DanvilleSportsHead]

I didn't apply to UVA because I was never not accepted to any school and I knew the answer lol...I was kind of surprised I got into Tech and it feels good to say I picked The Virginia Commonwealth University Rams over VT lol

 

[Ryan4VT]

I didn't apply to UVA because I was never not accepted to any school and I knew the answer lol...I was kind of surprised I got into Tech and it feels good to say I picked The Virginia Commonwealth University Rams over VT lol

I was a transfer student with an associates from a VA Comm college with a 3.67 coming out of SWCC. I like to think I would have stood a chance to get into lolUVA, but I was never about to apply lol.

 

[DanvilleSportsHead]

I was a transfer student with an associates from a VA Comm college with a 3.67 coming out of SWCC. I like to think I would have stood a chance to get into lolUVA, but I was never about to apply lol.

Yessssir! CC is the smartest move when going to schools like JMU, Tech, or UVA. I took the boneheaded way but it's not how you start, it's how you finish. I knew this one girl from one of the area high schools that had a 4.0 and was still put on the wait list at UVA. That was enough for me to just consider other options lol!!!!!

 

[Hampton Roads 6]

Face it, most players factor football over education when signing on signing day. No matter what they say. Only exception is Ivy league schools and military academies. I guess those signing with UVA are not interested in winning or going to bowl games. UVA has crummy facilities compared to VT. Heck their locker room/training facilities are a mile from stadium. I will never understand why any good player would go to UVA.

 

[ClarkeFan83]

A lot of the upper echelon schools have that air of superiority that turns off a lot of people including prospective students. I know of a young lady who was already accepted at Duke but was so turned off by the arrogance of the campus tour that she had no desire to attend the school. I'm a firm believer that college is what you make of it. They might use the same books at Harvard and the local community college. Everyone has the same opportunity to apply themselves.

Some schools do have loftier reputations than others and sometimes alumni connections. But education as almost every level is what you make of it. I'm not saying they aren't deserving of these accolades. But different schools fit different kids better. It is important that each student finds the environment that they can best thrive and work.

When she was looking at Physical Therapy programs, Duke, Pitt, WVU, and Delaware were on her visit list. She did not have a bad experience at all with Duke, and the students I met there were very nice, no superiority vibe that I caught. Probably the most beautiful campus I have ever been to, hands down. Pitt wasn't her thing, neither was Delaware. WVU was a joke. She absolutely loves VCU and is very happy with her decision. Did her undergrad work at Shepherd in Biology and Chemistry. Even found time to be in the Marching Band and the Jazz Ensemble. Thoroughly enjoyed her college experiences.

 

[DanvilleSportsHead]

When she was looking at Physical Therapy programs, Duke, Pitt, WVU, and Delaware were on her visit list. She did not have a bad experience at all with Duke, and the students I met there were very nice, no superiority vibe that I caught. Probably the most beautiful campus I have ever been to, hands down. Pitt wasn't her thing, neither was Delaware. WVU was a joke. She absolutely loves VCU and is very happy with her decision. Did her undergrad work at Shepherd in Biology and Chemistry. Even found time to be in the Marching Band and the Jazz Ensemble. Thoroughly enjoyed her college experiences.

She's a very smart lady and is at the right place! Hey we're the only college of any of her choices that is still undefeated in football

 

[Bo Bob]

I hope he picks the school that best suits him and what he wants to do life. The schools aren't; looking out for you when they come calling, they are looking out for their program. Graves needs to make his decision on what he wants to do in life after football.

 

[1bburgfan]

Don't play coy you know what I'm saying. A degree from UVA is extremely prestigious.

and you know what I am saying Hokies under grads earn more than IVY League of the South Hoo under grads.

 

[DanvilleSportsHead]

and you know what I am saying Hokies under grads earn more than IVY League of the South Hoo under grads.

Please show me this statistic. Other than engineering, I can't see how that's possible.

 

[1bburgfan]

http://www.bestcolleges.com/features/best-roi-colleges/ VT comes in at 51,700 UVA at 51,000. VT comes in at 13 for best return of investment and UVA at 30 I'll take the Cornfield League over Ivy League anyday . Other advantages of football recruits coming to VT include the country's best dining program, state of the art training facilities , more than 25,000 fans at a home game , one of most talented young coaches in the game today . Disadvantages, we cant promise you will be home for Christmas .

 

[Hampton Roads 6]

If one is going to law school or medical school, UVA might be a tad bit better. But 99% of all recruits sign for football reasons. When they go to UVA, they have been led astray on recruiting trail. A good player should not even take an Official Visit to Hooville.

 

[Hampton Roads 6]

Graves is a pretty good basketball player also. Saw him last night at Gretna. Had several 3 pointers and a dunk.

 

[one man]

http://www.bestcolleges.com/features/best-roi-colleges/ VT comes in at 51,700 UVA at 51,000. VT comes in at 13 for best return of investment and UVA at 30 I'll take the Cornfield League over Ivy League anyday . Other advantages of football recruits coming to VT include the country's best dining program, state of the art training facilities , more than 25,000 fans at a home game , one of most talented young coaches in the game today . Disadvantages, we cant promise you will be home for Christmas .

Drooling just thinking about it, miss those dining halls.

 

[ClarkeFan83]

Drooling just thinking about it, miss those dining halls.

Too funny. I remember back in the 80's when everyone complained about Tech's powdered eggs and how nasty the food was.

 

[1bburgfan]

http://vtnews.vt.edu/articles/2016/08/dsa-princetonreview.html#.WI0fmZONt98.twitter Virginia Tech ranked No. 1 for Best Quality of Life by the 2017 Princeton Review another reason for Mr Graves to consider to be part of STATEMENT 18