MD, UVa, VTech lead for ATH

Hampton (Va.) Phoebus athlete Brent Vinson has had Virginia Tech at the top of his list for a while because his cousin All-American Jimmy Williams goes there, but recently the 6-foot-1, 193-pounder with 4.31-second speed has started looking elsewhere.

"I've been starting to like UVA now, I would say Virginia Tech and Virginia are leading for me," he said. "I've been calling coach Golden a lot and every time I talk to him he gives me good information I can use, even if I don't go to that school. He's always telling me stuff to work on, on the field and is just really helpful. All the coaches there are straight forward with me. They've been really trying to get me up there to take a visit, although I haven't had time."

Vinson holds offers from Virginia Tech, Maryland, West Virginia, Michigan State, Syracuse, Virginia, Kent, Marshall, South Carolina and Georgia. Currently, he favors Virginia Tech, Virginia and Maryland.

"Those are my top three," he said. "I'm really looking at schools around here because I don't think I want to go too far away from home. I like coach Brattan a lot from Maryland. My mom, my grandma and I went up there and he showed us around and we all had a good conversation with him."

Vinson also claims a recent verbal offer from Southern Cal.

"They told me over the phone, but I don't really count that until I see it in writing," he said. "The offer means a lot to me because that school is on the other side of the country. Thinking about them really hurts my head a lot though."

The No. 14 player in Virginia plans to visit his favorites for officials and also perhaps Georgia and USC.

If all goes well for Vinson, he may not need to wait too long on making a decision.

"I'm probably going to decide right after a couple games into the season," he said. "I want to get it out of the way and be focused on my year."

In preparation for the season, Vinson has been working out with a future Hampton prospect in Tyrod Taylor.

"I work out with him everyday and it's really good, we're cool with each other," he said. "He's lucky this year because he gets to play Landstown. It's like the best team from the Peninsula against the best from the Beach."

For Vinson, his first game of the season is September 2nd against Woodrow Wilson.

"We lost Elan Lewis (Virginia Tech commit) last year, so I've got some big shoes to fill," he said. "Last year when Elan got hurt, I came up with some big plays and I've been working hard to continue that. We're turning into a passing offense now, previously we've always been known as a running team.

"I want to get over 1,000 yards receiving and I want my team to go to the state championship. We've lost in the semifinals for a few years now and I want us to get over the hump. Besides that, I'm just getting bigger as I'm up to 193-pounds and faster down to a 4.31 from a 4.39."

Vinson was named all-district in basketball and football after hauling in 29 receptions for 475 yards and eight touchdowns.