FOOTBALL RECRUITING
Hampton High defensive lineman Gene Jones became the second notable junior from Hampton Roads to commit to the Virginia Cavaliers.
The edge rusher, 6-foot-4 and 275 pounds, chose UVA over Virginia Tech, Syracuse, NC State, Old Dominion, Liberty, Marshall and William & Mary, according to reporter Jerry Ratcliffe.
Jones joined Oscar Smith quarterback Lonnie Andrews in committing to coach Tony Elliott’s program over the weekend.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
UVA’s Robinson again is ACC LB of Week
Virginia’s Kam Robinson was named the Atlantic Coast Conference Linebacker of the Week for the second consecutive time.
With the score tied at 20 Saturday night, he blitzed and stuffed a Washington State running back in the end zone, resulting in a safety for the game’s final points. He finished with eight tackles and one pass breakup.
Tribe DL Krueger takes CAA award
William & Mary defensive lineman Justin Krueger was named the Coastal Athletic Association Rookie of the Week. He had seven tackles (1 1/2 for loss), a sack and a quarterback hurry as the Tribe rallied past Elon 26-21.
JMU QB Barnett gains numerous honors
James Madison’s Alonza Barnett III was named the Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Week and was recognized by the Manning Award as one of eight quarterbacks named to the Stars of the Week list.
He also was named to the Davey O’Brien Award Great 8 for Week 8 and was added to the midseason watch list for the Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award. It was his third Great 8 appearance in the last two years.
Barnett passed for two touchdowns and ran for a career-high four in JMU’s 63-27 victory against Old Dominion. He threw for 295 yards while completing 68% of his passes and ran for a career-best 153 yards.
COLLEGE MEN’S BASKETBALL
ODU’s Davis named Preseason Player of Year
Old Dominion junior guard Robert Davis Jr. was named the Sun Belt Preseason Player of the Year and was on its preseason first team, the conference announced.
Jordan Battle, a former star for Norfolk Collegiate and Coastal Carolina, was a third-team pick for ODU, which was fifth in the coaches’ poll for the 14-team conference.
James Madison was picked first, followed by Arkansas State, South Alabama and Troy. Among the 15 players honored in the preseason, JMU’s selection was first-team guard Bradley Douglas, a transfer from Georgia Southern.
COLLEGE WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
ODU picked fourth in Sun Belt poll
Old Dominion was picked fourth in the Sun Belt coaches’ poll, led in order by James Madison, Arkansas State and Troy.
ODU’s all-conference preseason honorees were first-team guard En’Dya Buford and third-team guard Simone Cunningham.
JMU’s Peyton McDaniel was named the Preseason Player of the Year. JMU’s Ashanti Barnes, formerly of Lake Taylor High and ODU, was a second-team choice.
COLLEGE WOMEN’S SOCCER
2 W&M players honored by conference
William & Mary gained two Coastal Athletic Association awards after two wins that earned the Tribe a berth in the conference’s six-team tournament.
Senior defender Nora Green-Orset was named a Co-Defensive Player of the Week, sharing the award with Elon’s Grace Gelhaus. Green-Orset scored in a 3-0 win over Northeastern. Freshman forward Ellie Leffler was named the Rookie of the Week after scoring in the 78th minute of Sunday’s 1-0 victory over Monmouth.
COLLEGE WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL
UVA’s Ennist is ACC Freshman of Week
After leading Virginia to two victories over Virginia Tech, outside hitter Reagan Ennist was named the ACC Freshman of the Week. She had 23 kills in a five-set triumph in Blacksburg and a match-high 15 kills in a straight-sets victory in Charlottesville in the rematch.
MORE COLLEGES
NSU’s Webb to hold ‘Chat & Chew’ Tuesday
Norfolk State athletic director Dr. Melody Webb will hold an AD’s Chat & Chew at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday via Zoom. She will be discussing homecoming logistics in advance of Saturday’s football game against South Carolina State. Fans are encouraged to submit questions in advance to Noah Schlekeway at naschlekeway@nsu.edu.
PRO GOLF
Korn Ferry Tour finale coming to Richmond area
The Richmond area will hold a notable pro golf event next year, but a different one.
The day after the age 50-and-over PGA Tour Champions’ last Dominion Energy Charity Classic finished with a Justin Leonard victory, Monday brought an announcement that the season-ending Korn Ferry Tour Championship event will be held at the Federal Club in Hanover County under a four-year agreement. That event had been held in French Lick, Indiana.
The Dominion tourney, held on the James River Course at the Country Club of Virginia, raised $14 million for charities over the last decade. Many of the administrations running that event will transition to the Korn Ferry event.
The Korn Ferry Tour is the PGA Tour’s top feeder tour. The top 20 on the final points list will earn PGA Tour cards.
https://www.pilotonline.com/2025/10/20/crabbers-defensive-lineman-commits-to-uva/
