Prospect: Dwayne Priest

[bigsmooth]

only JMU has shown the most interest in this guy. he is in our backyard, we need to scoop him up!

The Roanoke Times
Wednesday, December 28, 2005

Top Group AA honors claimed

Fleming's Dwayne Priest is named player of the year; Salem's Stephen Maganbauer is coach of the year.


Salem doubled its fun by winning its second straight Group AA Division 4 football championship in 2005.

Now, Timesland has two winners of the state's top postseason high school awards.

William Fleming senior Dwayne Priest, who starred at defensive back and running back for the Colonels, has been named Group AA player of the year by The Associated Press, while Salem's Stephen Magenbauer has been chosen coach of the year in voting by a panel of sports writers.

Priest made the AP's first team as a defensive back after posting 104 tackles with four interceptions, three fumble recoveries and one caused fumble. The 5-foot-10, 185-pound Priest, a four-year starter at strong safety, was named the defensive player of the year in the Blue Ridge District and in Region III.

"Dwayne is the most picture-perfect tackler that I've seen," Fleming coach Keith Smith said. "He's a violent tackler that doesn't miss ... the best pure football player I've coached in 23 years."

Priest's status as one of Timesland's premier defensive players obscured his production as Fleming's starting tailback. Despite sharing the job with Jerome Fleming, he still finished with 1,548 yards and 20 touchdowns on 148 carries. Priest, also caught six passes for 152 yards and two TDs.

James Madison is showing the most recruiting interest in Priest thus far.

[Chris Lang]

Speaking of backyards, Rocco ought to take a real hard look at William Campbell's Matt Barbour. He's not getting a lot of attention (he wants to go to JMU, I think) because he's a bit undersized (5-8, 170ish). But he's an explosive athlete who makes things happen when he touches the football. I can't believe he isn't getting more attention.

[givemethemic]

Chris, the only reason that I think he is not getting as many looks is because of his size. Your right a great all around athlete at TB and WR. I would hope that LU would be looking at him, he is pretty used to playing at Williams Stadium and being on campus.

[SCAR]

I remember calling games for a similar player in stature by the name of Mike Ihmo. Now he is a starter at Virginia Tech and back in high school his size was an issue to recruiters.