Hargrave coach talks future of his stars
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CHATHAM, Va. - Chatham, Virginia is home to arguably the best prep school talent in the nation at Hargrave Military Academy, led by the country's No. 1 post-grad player in Deangelo Benton. Rivals.com met up with the Tigers head coach Robert Prunty on Monday to get a brief take on the top talent in this year's class.
Prunty first discussed his five-star prospects, beginning with Benton.
"He is one of those guys you see, he's physical and looks like a Chad Johnson type," he said. "He's got that physical make up, runs great routes and will be another physical receiver that'll come out of LSU. He's tenacious, attacks the ball and plays hard."
Benton isn't the only big-time receiver; he is joined by North Carolina pledge Dwight Jones.
"He's a big receiver," Prunty said. "He's got great hands and will make a lot of big plays at North Carolina. He's just a big receiver with a physical presence on the field."
Auburn commit Enrique Davis rounds out the five-star guys.
"Enrique got injured here," he said. "From what I saw, he's got power and speed, a guy a lot like Bo Jackson. The injury is fine too."
Davis will be joined at Auburn by huge offensive tackle Jermaine Johnson.
"He's going to be a great left tackle," he said. "He's probably the most athletic guy we've got on the line. He has great hands, is tall, lanky. He's a basketball player type and unless something happens he is going to be playing on Sundays. He's got too much talent to not play next year."
Auburn's rival, Alabama, has the No. 5 prep prospect in the nation at Hargrave, jumbo defensive tackle Kerry Murphy.
"He's a three-technique guy on defense," he said. "He's very explosive and runs off the ball very well. He plays with a lot of leverage."
Linebacker Quillie Odom for Virginia Tech made a big impression on Prunty.
"He's got a great motor, a real great motor," he stated. "He plays hard, is a strong guy that is very aggressive and is going to be a great player for Virginia Tech. He can come in and play right away with Xavier Adibi and Vince Hall leaving."
Staying in the ACC, Maryland tight end Devonte Campbell stands out as well.
"He's a big tight end," he said. "He's a big, strong athletic guy, he's very athletic."
North Carolina State offensive tackle Sam Jones is also high on Prunty's list.
"He's a big athletic lineman. He's 6-foot-5, 6-foot-6, can move and has very good hands."
He is joined at Hargrave by future teammate Kyle Linney.
"He is a very physical player at tackle."
West Virginia has two prospects at Hargrave as well, starting with 6-foot-4, 195-pound wide receiver Andrew Harris.
"He's a sleeper," Prunty stated. "He'll be another good one. He's got the same type of body as these other receivers. He's a big guy and is very good."
The Mountaineers other recruit is bruising tailback Terrence Kerns.
"All I have to say about him is power," he said. "He's got a lot of power and is a powerful runner."
One player that has risen up the charts is Josh Pleasant, an uncommitted cornerback.
"He's getting a lot of looks," he said. "He's going to be a good one, another one of those corners like Brandon Flowers, Brent Vinson and Ras-I Dowling. He's another good corner from Hargrave."
Fellow cornerback Randez James is a commitment to Duke, but he may be back on the market.
"He's supposed to be with Duke, they fired their coach," he said. "We'll see what happens and he'll entertain schools. He's going to play it by ear and see what coach they bring in.
"Randez is a speed guy. He's a cover corner that can lock you down and be physical when he has to. He's in the mode especially of Brandon Flowers."
The final four-star prospect is also not committed, but has caught Prunty's eye, linebacker Kent Walker.
"He's another one of those sleepers," he said. "A guy that comes here and everything goes right for him. He's a great player that is very aggressive. He's a good guy too, the kind of kid you want on your football team."
Brian Mohr contributed to this report.
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