Cavalier Corner

April 2014

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Blanding, a 6-4, 210-pound safety from Bay- side High School, played just about every posi- tion on the field for the Marlins, including wide receiver, tight end and punter. In addition to piling up 1,116 all-purpose yards this past season, he made 118 tackles and was named an Under Ar- mour All-American. Rivals.com rates him as the nation's No. 1 safety and the No. 5 overall player. To Farrell, he's one of the "two or three best players at that position" that he's seen during his time with covering recruiting. "I think it's his approach to the game itself that makes him so special," Farrell explained. "Quin doesn't have the highs and lows that a lot of play- ers have. He's an extremely physical football player and he does all the dirty work that a lot of guys don't want to do. A lot of times safeties are all about flash, and they just want to intercept passes. "Quin will walk up to the line of scrimmage and he'll hit. He'll take on bigger blockers. He'll make people pay for going across the middle. He's got great ball skills and he's fast." Brown, a 6-4, 290-pound defensive tackle from Oscar Smith High in Chesapeake, was the Ga- torade National Player of the Year. He was also named an Under Armour All-American, after he led the Tigers to the 2013 Virginia High School League (VHSL) Group 6A state title game with 93 total stops, 30 tackles for loss, 18 sacks and nine forced fumbles. "Having seen him for so many years, since he was a freshman, it all starts with the use of his hands," Farrell said of Brown, who is listed as the No. 1 defensive tackle and No. 32 overall prospect nationally by Rivals.com. "He's extremely violent with his hands, which is what every defensive lineman needs. He's very athletic and quick. "He's a guy that brings a lot of energy to his game, and he's the type of kid that if he makes one play, he's going to amp up to a new level for the next one. He feeds off of his own energy, and a lot of kids aren't able to do that." London doesn't believe that any player, regard- less of the hype he receives as a recruit, should be anointed before he arrives on Grounds. But he also admits that Blanding and Brown are special talents. "They have to come here and put it together on the field, and we're looking forward to having them," he said. "But all recruiting, whether it's a five-star or a two-star, boils down to having estab- Rivals.com rates Blanding as a five-star prospect, the No. 1 safety nationally and the No. 5 overall prospect in the class of 2014. PHOTO BY BRAD FRANKLIN i24-27.UVa Recruiting.indd 3 4/2/14 9:34 AM

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