Reynolds up for a change

By Dave Fawcett

Published: July 31, 2008

Darius Reynolds’ primary position at Reedley Junior College (Calif.) is quarterback, but it may not be the position he plays once he moves on to Division I.
The 6-foot-4, 190-pound sophomore has attracted interest from a number of schools as a wide receiver, including Iowa State, which Reynolds said is the only Division I school as of now to have officially offered him.
While Reynolds would prefer playing quarterback, he is not opposed to making the switch to receiver.
“I want to get a chance to play,” said Reynolds, a 2007 Hylton High School graduate.
Reedley head coach Mike White said the determining factor will be whether Reynolds fits a particular team’s system.
“He’s much closer to someone like [Dennis Dixon] at Oregon than say a more pure passer like Tom Brady,” White said. “It will come down to how you define quarterback. But he’s got the fall back position at wide receiver.”
Last season, Reynolds found himself at wideout if Reedley needed another athlete to fill in for someone else. Other times, his number was called because Reedley was leading by a large margin and “[Darius] got bored on the sideline,” White said.
Reynolds, who had not played wide receiver since his sophomore year at Hylton when he was on the junior varsity, caught 12 passes for 219 yards and three touchdowns in 2007.
“He’s very intelligent and he knows what everyone is doing out there,” White said. “He’s not as polished as a full-time receiver.”
Reynolds enters this season as a national prospect. JCFootball.com ranks him as the nation’s No. 1 quarterback and No.2 overall junior college football player. The Sporting News lists Reynolds as one of the top two sophomore junior college quarterbacks.
With his speed, size and athleticism, Reynolds was an effective two-way threat last season, rushing for 749 yards and 11 touchdowns and throwing for 1,752 yards and 13 touchdowns for a team that finished 8-3.
“He’s an aggressive kid and he’s not afraid of contact,” White said. “That’s how he’d get himself hurt and it would make me cringe. We’ve impressed upon him the need to be a little wiser this year.”
Reynolds said last year matured him to the point that he’s taking things more seriously, whether it is stepping up more as a leader or doing what he needs to do in the classroom.
“I grew up a lot, but I think it will make me better,” Reynolds said.
Effective pitchman might be another title for Reynolds, who played a role in helping Reedley land defensive back Abdul Kanneh.
Kanneh, a 2008 Potomac High School graduate and an all-Group AAA selection, originally signed with Kent State, but failed to qualify academically for admission to the school.
Kanneh and Reynolds have known each other when both were at Hylton. They also played together on the same Pop Warner team.
When Reynolds was home this summer and learned of Kanneh’s situation, he plugged Reedley.
“I’ve been keeping my eye on him,” Reynolds said. “I call him my little brother.”

WILLIAMS UPDATE
Woodbridge High School running back De’Antwan Williams said he would like to make his college choice before the summer is over, but he may hold off until he’s had the chance to visit more schools.
Williams had planned on going to Alabama the weekend of July 20, but was unable to because of a conflict with an on-line class he was taking. Williams said he still hopes to see West Virginia, possibly next week some time.
“My time frame will be to try and make [a decision] this summer, but since I haven’t been anywhere, that may be too soon for me,” said Williams, who has over 10 Division I offers.

ELON OFFERS SCOTT
Forest Park’s B.J. Scott is no longer waiting for his first college football scholarship offer after Elon became the first official suitor last month.
The 6-foot-4 wide receiver/defensive lineman was no stranger to Elon. Two of Scott’s coaches at Forest Park, head coach Charlie Chandler and assistant Mac Dogbatse, played for the Phoenix.
In addition, Scott’s sister Briana has committed to play for Elon’s women’s basketball team.
Although Scott’s first two college choices remain Penn State and Maryland, he didn’t dismiss the significance of an offer from a program that will enter the season ranked in the Football Championship Subdivision’s preseason top 25.
“It’s not one of those offers where it is just good to have one,” Scott said. “It’s a good school.”
Scott said he plans on visiting Duke this weekend, but has no definite timetable on making a decision.

PRESEASON HONORS
Endor Cooper (Hylton) was named the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference’s preseason defensive player of the year.
A linebacker at Howard, Cooper led the team last season with 50 solo and 87 total tackles. He ranked among the league leaders in tackles (fifth) and with three forced fumbles (fourth).
Clint Sintim (Gar-Field) was named to the preseason All-ACC team as a linebacker.
The University of Virginia senior led the nation in sacks as a linebacker in 2007 with nine.
Sintim, who has started 37 games for the Cavaliers, has also been named to the Bronko Nagurski Watch List as one of the nation’s top defensive players.

GARRIGAN IN AF2
Darren Garrigan (Gar-Field) has signed with the Tennessee Valley Vipers for arenafootball2.
Garrigan, who plays defensive back, said he got the chance with this team because his agent knew the coach.
Although most of the season is over now that the Tennessee Valley Vipers are in the playoffs, Garrigan hopes the playing time he does get will give him more exposure to play elsewhere next year.