Position change is a smooth one for OL Pond

Due in part to a position change, Chesterfield (Va.) Matoaca offensive lineman John Pond has seen his recruitment grow a bit in recent weeks. A variety of regional schools have picked it up for the 6-foot-3, 314-pounder.

"Richmond came in and offered me two weeks ago," he said. "I have a 75% offer from them. They got a player that went down with a head injury and it may be career ending and that would potentially make it a full ride. I also have the offer from James Madison."

The I-AA's have thrown offers out, but what's his status with the Division I schools.

"Duke is the latest school to start picking up interest and I've gotten a bit more from Virginia and Virginia Tech too," he said. "They all started to pick up when I moved from guard to center. Since my height was a bit of an issue at guard, but it isn't as much at center.

"I've heard from Coach Reid at Virginia a bit and Duke. They are just waiting for my highlight film."

While he's taken a couple visits so far, Pond plans to take more soon.

"I've been to William & Mary and JMU," he said. "I've got one lined up for Richmond and I'm supposed to get with Virginia about a visit as well as Penn."

Does Pond like anybody?

"From what I've heard from Richmond, I like them," he said. "They've been looking at me since I was a freshman. I like Tech, Duke and Virginia too."

On the field, the transition to center has been a smooth one for the two-star prospect.

"It's been going really well, that's the position everyone has been asking me to play in college," he said. "I feel like I'm playing as well as I possibly can there especially since I made a late adjustment due to my hamstring. I missed the first week of practice. But once I came in it's been a natural fit. I played under center the first three games and now we're moving to shotgun with a new quarterback. I think I've gotten better at center every day and every game."

Pond and Matoaca are 0-3 on the season at this point.