Walker leads the way at Bethel

Hampton (Va.) Bethel features three prospects to watch in 2010. Leading the way for head coach Jeff Nelson's team is 5-foot-10, 171-pound cornerback Rijo Walker.

"He's getting recruited by Virginia Tech, Maryland, NC State and Duke," Nelson said. "As of right now nobody has offered yet, Duke is real high on him. Virginia is starting to move in too with Coach Scott. They really like him."

Does Walker like anybody?

"I tell all my kids to enjoy the experience and I think he's just enjoying the ride. He wants to get out and see what he wants and is very laid back, looking at all his options to see what is best for him."

While recruiting continues to rise for Walker, Nelson did touch on him as a player.

"He's a coachable kid," he said. "He'll do whatever you ask him to. He's got it in the classroom with a 3.67 and he works hard. He also has good footwork and a smooth backpedal. A lot of coaches also mention he's got good movement in his hips and is a strong kid too. He is also a threat on returns too. He was a return man last year and actually we plan to play him at slot more as well."

Walker is not the only star as 6-foot-3, 195-pound linebacker Deshaun Thomas is another name to watch.

"He's a good sized kid," he said. "He's got good moves and is going to make some noise.

"He played outside linebacker and wide receiver for us. He did some good things and got real comfortable at outside linebacker. He has some real potential there, but he could be a receiver because he's a big target and runs good routes.

"He is also a hard worker that goes after it and has good grades."

Already NC State, Virginia, Duke and Virginia Tech have been taking an interest in Thomas.

Rounding out the trio of talent is 6-foot-4, 225-pound defensive end Robert Copeland.

"He's a good size kid, a strong kid," he said. "You look at him and you can tell he's an athlete. He's a good student with a 3.65 GPA. He is smart. He's actually doing an internship with NASA.

"He's already getting looks from NC State, Duke likes him along with Virginia and Virginia Tech."

Nelson went on about Copeland.

"He's a late bloomer and I think he'll go to some of these senior camps and impress," he said. "He's not as quick as James Gayle from last year, but he gets off the ball and holds his own.

"This was his first year of playing football. He had been a basketball player before this. He's got jumps and is raw, but very coachable. He is one of those kids that could move to inside linebacker."