2010 Virginia ATH lands his first offer

One Commonwealth prospect pulled his first offer late last week. The 6-foot-2, 194-pounder landed the scholarship from Virginia. What does he think about the offer?

"I got a call on Friday from my coach that Virginia had offered me," Woodberry Forest, Va. 2010 safety Ed Reynolds said. "I was awe struck. I wasn't expecting it and it's a great parting gift before my trip to South Africa."

What does he think about his first offer?

"Well, Virginia always has been in my top five," he said. "This makes them higher up on the list. I called the coaches back and they told me I was a top tier recruit in 2010. I know Coach Poindexter knows the secondary and I looked up to him. He was a great player, but I like the environment there.

"I am going to sit on it while I go on my trip."

Reynolds headed out of the country on Tuesday for a two-month exchange program.

Reynolds is familiar with the Cavaliers as his father, Ed Reynolds Sr. played for Virginia. How big of a factor is that in Reynolds choice?

"I don't know," he said. "I've been there a lot. My dad played for Virginia and I grew up supporting the Cavaliers. I wouldn't say I'm set on them though. I know the area and have family in Charlottesville, but I want to make it clear Virginia's not the only school I'm looking at."

While Virginia clearly has some advantages and the first offer out, other schools are very interested too.

"I'm getting a lot of interest from Stanford, Notre Dame, North Carolina, Duke, Miami, Rutgers and Virginia Tech," he said. "My grades are good, 3.9. I'm also in contact with the Ivy Leagues."

Virginia has pulled the trigger, but another school may be close.

"I think North Carolina is close," he said. "Coach Thigpen came to my school and they are very interested."

Reynolds is looking for a few things in a college.

"I'm definitely looking for academics, I want a strong academic program," he said. "I want a school that is on the rise and a football program that has some tradition. I also kind of want to go to a big school. Woodberry is really small.

"As for location, I have family in Virginia and some live in Florida. I'm not making location limit my decision."

Reynolds helped Woodberry Forest to an 8-1 record this season as he posted 20 tackles, three interceptions, one returned for a touchdown and two kickoff returns for touchdowns on his way to all-state honors as a defensive back and kick returner, all-conference defensive back and return man and all-Central Virginia.

The Commonwealth prospect is also a track athlete that does the triple jump, long jump, 200 and 100 meter.