Virginia
Region/state roundup: Grant Wells named Virginia Tech’s starting QB for opener vs. ODU
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
Virginia Tech head coach Brent Pry announced Wednesday that Grant Wells will be the Hokies’ starting quarterback for the Sept. 2 season opener against Old Dominion.
The 6-2 senior from Charleston, West Virginia, started all 11 games last season, passing for 2,171 yards and nine touchdowns — with nine interceptions — and running for 212 yards and six scores.
Before coming to Blacksburg, Wells played two seasons at Marshall and passed for 3,532 yards in 2021 and 2,091 in 2020.
Wells will have some new weapons this season as the Hokies brought three wide receivers from the transfer portal in Ali Jennings III (Old Dominion), Da’Quan Felton (Norfolk State) and Jaylin Lane (Middle Tennessee).
W&M’s Pius on Senior Bowl watch list
William & Mary defensive lineman John Pius has been named to the Reese’s Senior Bowl watch list along with five Virginia players and four Virginia Tech players.
Pius was the runner-up last year for the Stats Perform Buck Buchanan Award, which honors the national defensive player of the year in the FCS. He ranked fourth nationally in sacks (11.5) and fifth in tackles for loss (19) while leading the Tribe in tackles (72) and quarterback hurries (12).
Representing the Cavaliers are tight end Sackett Wood Jr., defensive back Malcolm Greene and defensive linemen Chico Bennett Jr., Kameron Butler and Jahmeer Carter.
The Hokies placed wide receivers Da’Quan Felton, Ali Jennings and Jaylin Lane and linebacker Alan Tisdale on the list.
Other state players on the list are James Madison offensive lineman Nick Kidwell, Liberty offensive lineman X’Zavea Gadlin and defensive back Kobe Singleton, Richmond offensive lineman Ryan Coll and Virginia State defensive back Willie Drew.
TRACK AND FIELD
Merritt to host inaugural clinic
Three-time Olympic gold medalist LaShawn Merritt of Portsmouth will host his inaugural Sprint To Success Track & Field Clinic on Sept. 9 at Churchland High School from 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Athletes ages 8 to 17 will learn about sprinting, jumping events, throwing events, conditioning, nutrition, injury prevention and expert coaching.
To register, go to https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sprint-to-success-track-and-field-clinic-tickets-703468281567?aff=ebdssbdestsearch online.
For more information, contact organizers at info@themerrittfoundation.org online.
Briefly
- Former Norfolk State guard Joe Bryant will begin his pro basketball career in Poland after signing with WKS Śląsk Wrocław. He was a two-time MEAC Player of the Year.
- William & Mary men’s soccer player Aidan Morrison has been named to the Top Drawer Soccer Preseason Freshman All-America Team. Also, former Jamestown High star Peyton Smith has joined the Tribe’s roster for this season. Smith helped lead the Eagles to a Class 4 state title and was an All-State and All-Tidewater selection.
- William & Mary women’s soccer player Nora Green-Orset has been named to the College Soccer News National Team of the Week.
- The Christopher Newport women’s soccer program has been selected as the favorite in the Coast-To-Coast Athletic Conference preseason coaches poll for the ninth consecutive season. The Captains went 19-0-3 last season.
- Virginia Tech wrestler Cooper Flynn announced Wednesday he will use his Olympic redshirt for the upcoming season to prepare for the opportunity to represent the United States in the 2024 Olympics in Paris.
- The Old Dominion sailing team announced its fall schedule, which begins Sept. 9 with the Laser South Regatta in Annapolis, Maryland.