Former Norfolk Christian football coach Tim Bender used to say the only way he’d want to attend a College Football Playoff title game or Super Bowl was if he was coaching in it.

He’s changed his tune since then. One of his former players, Brennan Burton, will suit up for the Miami Hurricanes (13-2) on Monday when they meet the Indiana Hoosiers (15-0) for the CFP National Championship at 7:30 p.m.

“Situations like this sure do change things,” said Bender, who won’t attend the game. “It would be awesome.”

But Burton won’t be the only local player involved Monday. The Hoosiers’ roster includes senior running back Kaelon Black (Salem High), junior defensive lineman Tyrique Tucker (Lake Taylor) and freshman receiver LeBron Bond (Maury) as well as former Old Dominion quarterback Grant Wilson.

That means Hampton Roads is guaranteed to have a former local player win a college football national title.

Whoever wins, they will join a long list of other locals who have done so since 2000.

That includes Landstown’s Percy Harvin (Florida, 2006, ’08), Oscar Smith’s Phillip Sims (Alabama, 2012), Lake Taylor’s Jalyn Holmes (Ohio State, 2014), Cox’s Jordan Williams (Clemson, 2018), Norview’s Daylen Everette (Georgia, 2023) and Churchland’s Brandyn Hillman (2023). Hillman recently transferred to Virginia.

This week, each player’s high school coach talked about what it means to have a former player playing for a national title.

Indiana running back Kaelon Black runs for a touchdown against Alabama in the Rose Bowl on Thursday in Pasadena, California. Black, a former Salem High star from Virginia Beach, finished with 99 yards and the score on 15 carries. (Mark J. Terrill/AP)

Black has rushed for 960 yards this season for the top-ranked Hoosiers and scored a team-high 10 touchdowns. During the postseason, he’s rushed for 162 yards and three touchdowns to help the Hoosiers beat Alabama and Oregon to advance to the championship game.

Former Salem High coach Shawn Wilson said seeing Black play for a national title “means everything.”

“When you see a former player competing on the biggest stage in college football, it validates the work, the culture and the belief we had in him from day one,” Wilson said about Black, who was a three-time All-Tidewater selection. “It’s a reminder that development doesn’t stop when a player leaves your program — it continues because of the foundation that was built.”

When Black was at Salem, he led the SunDevils to the postseason all four seasons. For his career, he rushed for 3,360 yards and 55 touchdowns.

Now, he’s having the same impact at the college level.

“I couldn’t be more proud. Not just because he’s playing in the national championship, but because of the man he’s become,” Wilson said about Black, who earned his bachelor’s degree in liberal studies. “He earned this through discipline, resilience and commitment. Watching him reach this level is incredibly rewarding as a coach.”

Indiana defensive lineman Tyrique Tucker (95) sacks Oregon quarterback Dante Moore (5) during the Peach Bowl College Football Playoff semifinal on Friday night in Atlanta. (Mike Stewart/AP)

Tucker, first-team All-Tidewater in 2019, has 38 tackles — including 11.5 tackles for loss — 5.5 sacks and two quarterback hurries for the Hoosiers. In last week’s CFP semifinals, he had five tackles against Oregon.

Tucker, like Black, followed coach Curt Cignetti from James Madison to Indiana.

Tucker played his first three seasons at Lake Taylor before he finished his high school career at Life Christian Academy.

Lake Taylor coach Hank Sawyer makes sure everyone knows he was a Titan first.

“When I watch him playing in the game and see the things he does, I am quick to point out he learned that at Lake Taylor,” Sawyer said. “He was very instrumental in us winning the 2019 state championship. As a coach, I am so proud of his character and the man he has become. I rejoice that he’s at the mountain top of what we foresaw for him.”

Tucker, whose brother, Diamonte, was an All-American linebacker at JMU, was known for being a “special” player at Lake Taylor.

“I remember when we turned the corner on him being an explosive, aggressive player. He separated himself from the other linemen,” Sawyer said. “What I mean is he could go in the game and carry out a game plan to perfection. He could and would dominate in his blocking and defensive efforts. He’s a beast with an awesome sense of humor. He loved being around his teammates and they loved being around him.”

Maury receiver Lebron Bond (8) makes a reception in the end zone for a touchdown in the third quarter. Maury defeated Briar Woods 46-0 in the VHSL Class 5 state championship at Bridgeforth Stadium in Harrisonburg, Virginia, on Dec. 14, 2024. (Billy Schuerman / The Virginian-Pilot)

Just 13 months ago, Bond caught three passes for 98 yards and two touchdowns to help lead Maury to its second consecutive Class 5 state title.

He graduated early and was on Indiana’s campus a year ago.

“I am glad that LeBron is able to be part of a national championship,” said Commodores coach Dyrri McCain. “Coach Darius Blount definitely did a great job with him.”

Bond returned to Norfolk during the season and stood on the Maury sideline proudly wearing his state championship jacket.

Bond, a two-time All-Tidewater selection, made his college debut against ODU and had his first career reception of 12 yards.

For the season, he’s appeared in nine games and has five receptions for 49 yards. He is one of 11 true freshmen to play this season.

“I am extremely proud of LeBron, he deserves to be there,” McCain said. “He’s worked for this opportunity and put himself in position to be on the best team in the country.”

Bond isn’t the first former Maury player to play for a recent national championship. Sheridan Jones was with Clemson when the Tigers played for a national title in 2019.

McCain knows this moment is big for the program.

“This is great for the program because it gives guys the belief that one day it can be them also,” he said. “Guys, past and present, feel like LeBron is one of the ‘GOATS’ in this era of Maury football. He actually hasn’t lost a game since 2022 in the state championship. So, he has a chance to go for another undefeated season.”

Miami Hurricanes wide receiver Brennan Burton (40) runs through practice drills with teammates at the Carol Soffer Indoor Practice Facility in Coral Gables, Florida, on Thursday, July 31, 2025. (Al Diaz/Miami Herald)

Burton was on Miami’s practice squad last season, and this season saw his first action in a game against NC State.

Burton played at Norfolk Christian under Bender before transferring to Ocean Lakes for his senior year.

“It’s an honor to have one of your former players make it to an elite stage,” Bender said. “Very humbling as well to have been a small part of the journey.

“I couldn’t be more proud of the resilience, perseverance and faithful pursuit of his dream to play at Miami,” Bender said. “He had a dream, committed to it and worked passionately to get there. He was determined to walk on there, and worked hard to put himself into this position. He’s a special kid.”

Larry Rubama, 757-575-6449, larry.rubama@pilotonline.com

https://www.pilotonline.com/2026/01/17/larry-rubama-former-local-stars-college-football-playoff/