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Chancellor's Dominique Wallace (48) was an all-district |
BY TAFT COGHILL JR.
Just two weeks ago, Dominique Wallace said he'll make a college decision shortly before next football season began.
But the Chancellor High School standout junior running back had a change of heart on Sunday when he attended Junior Day at the University of Virginia.
Wallace orally committed to the Cavaliers yesterday, turning down scholarship offers from Penn State, Maryland and North Carolina State.
"I said I might commit right before two-a-days," Wallace said. "But when I went there [Sunday], I was like, 'No other college could change my mind and make me not want to go here. So why not just do it right now and get it over with?'"
Wallace said although he can't sign a letter of intent with the Cavaliers until next February, he doesn't envision changing his commitment.
He doesn't plan to take any other visits. He'll unofficially visit Virginia for the sixth time next Wednesday when he attends the Cavaliers' men's basketball game against Duke.
He said on Sunday, he was already itching to join the football team.
"I felt like, 'I want to be here right now. Just give me the pads and put me in the dorm room, so I can be on this campus and in this school,'" Wallace said of his visit.
Wallace (6-foot-1, 230 pounds) is also a standout linebacker, but he said the Cavaliers recruited him to play running back.
He rushed for 1,543 yards and 19 touchdowns for the Chargers last season. He went on to be named first-team all-Battlefield District, all-Region I and All-Area.
Virginia was the first school to offer a scholarship, but Penn State, Maryland and N.C. State offered last week. Virginia Tech and Notre Dame also showed interest.
"I've been to Penn State. I've been to Maryland. I've been to Notre Dame and I've been to Virginia Tech," Wallace said. "And to me, nothing compares to U.Va."
Chancellor coach Bob Oliver said he knew early on Wallace wanted to stay in-state. He said Virginia is "a good fit."
"He feels like U.Va. is home for him," Oliver said. "He's fired up about U.Va. and that's what you've got to be."
Wallace said Virginia's rebound from a 5-7 2006 season to a 9-4 finish and a Gator Bowl appearance last year was attractive to him. He attended games against Georgia Tech and Virginia Tech last season and was impressed with the atmosphere.
"It's the perfect fit for me," he said. "It's an hour and a half away from home. They have good location, good academics, good athletics, good facilities and a beautiful campus. You can't do any better than that."
Taft Coghill Jr.: 540/374-5526
Email: tcoghill@freelancestar.com
