A deep class, especially along the lines.  Little skill position help though, and more than a few busts.

Five+: 1.  Four+: 1.  Three+: 8.  Two+: 4.  One+: 2.  Score: 43.

Stars: 2.  Contributors: 12.  No impact: 8.  total: 25.

  • DT Maurice Anderson Blackstone, VA 6-4 260 -- Became a quick and strong DT, eventual starter. +++
  • TE Casey Crawford Falls Church, VA 5 6-6 228 -- Outstanding TE had injury problems that prevented him from filling his potential. +++
  • DL Tony Dingle Fayetteville, NC 6-2 275 -- Agile for his size and talented, could have concentrated more on playing than talking though.  Starter, no RS. +++
  • DB Wally Elegbe Teaneck, NJ 6-5 212 -- Backup LB and safety, took over for Anthony Poindexter when he was injured.  Good but not great, no 5th year. ++
  • DL Travis Griffith Staunton, VA 11 6-3 215 -- Early contributor and starter on the DL, injuries led him to decline a 5th year. +++
  • OL Evan Hunt Spotsylvania, VA 7 6-6 284 -- Eventual starter? ++
  • OL Noel Montagne Coopersburg, PA 6-4 308 -- Multi year starter on the OL. +++
  • LB Wali Rainer Charlotte, NC 6-2 201 -- 3 year starter at MLB. ++++
  • DL Johnny Shivers Ft Lauderville, FL 6-6 247 -- Came to VA to play defense (many other schools wanted him to play OT).  Talented but had weight problems. ++
  • RB Anthony Southern Whiteville, NC 5-11 204 -- Played some tailback and moved to fullback where he started.  Carried the team to win the 1997 GT game. +++
  • TE John St. Clair Roanoke, VA 14 6-5 265 -- Moved to center.  Became a starter and an impressive pro prospect and is still in the NFL. +++
  • DB Dwayne Stukes Baltimore, MD 5-11 187 -- Like Tim Spruill, was talented but occasionally memorably burned at CB. ++
  • LB Dillon Taylor Penn Laird, VA 4 6-2 258 -- A heralded recruit who played but somewhat underachieved.  Started but never had a firm grasp on the job and left before his 5th year. +
  • QB Shannon Taylor Roanoke, VA 6-5 245 -- Switched to LB and was one of the two best defenders on the team (Anderson) in 1999. +++
  • DE *Patrick Kerney Yardley, PA -- Started out on a lacrosse scholarship.  Played as a true freshman, overshadowed by Griffith as a sophmore, came into his own as a junior and was the 2nd best defensive player in the conference in 1998 (Poindexter).  Left a year early. +++++

 

  • TE Brad Dittman Foxburg, PA 6-4 233 -- Moved from DL to OL, bulked up and moved back to TE.  One of my favorites as a 300 pound TE, knee injuries cut his career short. +
  • DB Marcus Bullett Verona, VA 6-1 200 -- ??
  • OL Kevin Hillerich Louisville, KY 6-4 248 -- ??
  • DL Will Jackson Richmond, VA 21 6-5 215 -- ??
  • OL Mark Lindsey Glen Allen, VA 6-5 282 -- ??
  • LB Andre McNeal Miami, FL 6-1 189 -- ??
  • LB Jami'h Rainer Charlotte, NC 6-1 187 -- Did not play much, left before senior year?
  • OL George Seals Spencer, VA 15 6-4 235 -- ??
  • WR LaShawn Jones Virginia Beach, VA 6-3 195 -- Saw some time early but was suspended and never returned. +
  • LB Andreas Karelis Montreal, Canada 6-2 221 -- Saw a little time as a backup.