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Washington Post
7/22
Eager to Take the Next Step
By Josh Barr
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, July 22, 2005; 11:09 AM
More and more football players are trying to graduate from high school one semester early so that they can enroll early in college and participate in spring practice. The popular theory to this is that it puts them ahead of other incoming freshmen and makes them better able to contribute by August.
There are plays and schemes to learn and those things take time, including things as simple as the terminology each team uses to describe its plays.
With that in mind, it was not terribly surprising to learn that Suitland All-Met linebacker Navorro Bowman has taken his senior year of English in summer school so that he can graduate early to attend the college of his choice -- the same route taken by the top recruit in Prince George's County last season, Eleanor Roosevelt's Derrick Williams, now at Penn State. Bowman said he had given the idea primary consideration but was more interested after discussing the pros and cons of the situation with Williams's father, Dwight.
The trend even extends to special-teamers. West Springfield kicker Josh Czajkowski also plans to enroll early at North Carolina State, where he verbally committed earlier this week. Quarterbacks, linebackers, linemen and others have plenty to learn before they are able to step on the field, if they are good enough to merit playing time as freshmen.
But a kicker?
"It's just the experience of getting down there and getting used to it, I know it may sound stupid," said Alex Czajkowski, Josh's father and the boys' soccer coach at Jefferson. "But he can get a couple credits and go to summer school and he's a little ahead of everyone else."
More importantly, according to West Springfield Coach Bill Renner -- a guru when it comes to developing kickers -- Czajkowski can participate in spring practice and get acclimated to his new team and teammates.
"It doesn't make any sense not to [do this] if you're ready academically and athletically," Renner said. "With so many people playing as freshmen, you are so much better off having spring practice than having just three weeks on campus [in August] and then you're playing USC or Michigan or Florida State."
Renner said he believes while this is a trend now, it might not be long before it's commonplace.
"What will the next five months of high school do to make you better prepared for your freshman football season?" Renner said. "I think a lot of people who are talented will come to that conclusion."
There can be a price, however, for those that do skip their final semester, even if their high schools allow them to participate in prom and graduation activities. Bowman, for instance, is unable to continue playing basketball after leading Suitland to its first regional title in 20 years.
"You take sacrifices and learn how to let go of stuff that you love," Bowman said. "It was tough. I still get my shots up now and then, but right now what is going really well for me is football. I'm not a dumb person."
Bowman said he is focusing on five schools: Penn State, Ohio State, North Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia Tech. He also is considering Pittsburgh, Virginia and Oklahoma and said all eight of those schools have offered scholarships.
7/22
Eager to Take the Next Step
By Josh Barr
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, July 22, 2005; 11:09 AM
More and more football players are trying to graduate from high school one semester early so that they can enroll early in college and participate in spring practice. The popular theory to this is that it puts them ahead of other incoming freshmen and makes them better able to contribute by August.
There are plays and schemes to learn and those things take time, including things as simple as the terminology each team uses to describe its plays.
With that in mind, it was not terribly surprising to learn that Suitland All-Met linebacker Navorro Bowman has taken his senior year of English in summer school so that he can graduate early to attend the college of his choice -- the same route taken by the top recruit in Prince George's County last season, Eleanor Roosevelt's Derrick Williams, now at Penn State. Bowman said he had given the idea primary consideration but was more interested after discussing the pros and cons of the situation with Williams's father, Dwight.
The trend even extends to special-teamers. West Springfield kicker Josh Czajkowski also plans to enroll early at North Carolina State, where he verbally committed earlier this week. Quarterbacks, linebackers, linemen and others have plenty to learn before they are able to step on the field, if they are good enough to merit playing time as freshmen.
But a kicker?
"It's just the experience of getting down there and getting used to it, I know it may sound stupid," said Alex Czajkowski, Josh's father and the boys' soccer coach at Jefferson. "But he can get a couple credits and go to summer school and he's a little ahead of everyone else."
More importantly, according to West Springfield Coach Bill Renner -- a guru when it comes to developing kickers -- Czajkowski can participate in spring practice and get acclimated to his new team and teammates.
"It doesn't make any sense not to [do this] if you're ready academically and athletically," Renner said. "With so many people playing as freshmen, you are so much better off having spring practice than having just three weeks on campus [in August] and then you're playing USC or Michigan or Florida State."
Renner said he believes while this is a trend now, it might not be long before it's commonplace.
"What will the next five months of high school do to make you better prepared for your freshman football season?" Renner said. "I think a lot of people who are talented will come to that conclusion."
There can be a price, however, for those that do skip their final semester, even if their high schools allow them to participate in prom and graduation activities. Bowman, for instance, is unable to continue playing basketball after leading Suitland to its first regional title in 20 years.
"You take sacrifices and learn how to let go of stuff that you love," Bowman said. "It was tough. I still get my shots up now and then, but right now what is going really well for me is football. I'm not a dumb person."
Bowman said he is focusing on five schools: Penn State, Ohio State, North Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia Tech. He also is considering Pittsburgh, Virginia and Oklahoma and said all eight of those schools have offered scholarships.
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OSUBasketballJunkie
Never Forget 31-0
rivals.com$
7/25/05
Penn State, Ohio State, Virginia Tech, North Carolina, and Tennessee are his top five. Virginia Tech is the favorite with OSU right behind them.
7/25/05
Penn State, Ohio State, Virginia Tech, North Carolina, and Tennessee are his top five. Virginia Tech is the favorite with OSU right behind them.
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Washington Post
8/18
One of those seniors is All-Met linebacker Navorro Bowman, one of the top college recruits on the East Coast (he has yet to choose his school). Bowman, who also rushed for more than 1,200 yards (including 148 in the 14-7 victory over Damascus for the 4A title), will be expected to lead a younger team that is eager to defend their title.
"I think we have a chance to defend our title," Bowman said. "Me and all the other seniors have to lead by example for the younger guys. I love the competition so I'm not going to back down."
Lynch demands that all of his players push themselves as hard as they can -- including the stars.
"Even with Navorro I know what I'm going to get with him, but I still want him to push himself," Lynch said.
Lynch is keenly aware that last season's 13 wins and title trophy mean nothing to this season.
<!-- / message --><!-- controls --> "Last year is last year. We've got a target on our back this year and everyone is aiming for us," Lynch said. "I like that we have a target on our back. It motivates me, the other coaches and the kids."
8/18
One of those seniors is All-Met linebacker Navorro Bowman, one of the top college recruits on the East Coast (he has yet to choose his school). Bowman, who also rushed for more than 1,200 yards (including 148 in the 14-7 victory over Damascus for the 4A title), will be expected to lead a younger team that is eager to defend their title.
"I think we have a chance to defend our title," Bowman said. "Me and all the other seniors have to lead by example for the younger guys. I love the competition so I'm not going to back down."
Lynch demands that all of his players push themselves as hard as they can -- including the stars.
"Even with Navorro I know what I'm going to get with him, but I still want him to push himself," Lynch said.
Lynch is keenly aware that last season's 13 wins and title trophy mean nothing to this season.
<!-- / message --><!-- controls --> "Last year is last year. We've got a target on our back this year and everyone is aiming for us," Lynch said. "I like that we have a target on our back. It motivates me, the other coaches and the kids."
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OSUBucks22
No touching!
VA Tech Rivals $
Navorro has a list of 4 schools: PSU, VA Tech, Tennessee, and tOSU. he will be visiting VA Tech Nov. 4th for their game against Miami and UT on Oct. 1st for their game against Ole Miss. no date yet for his visit to tOSU.
Bowman recorded 15 tackles and 73 yards rushing in his team's 7-0 win last week.
My Take: i realize that this is a Hokie site, but it sounds as if VA Tech may hold a lead at this point. we really need to get him on campus and show him our LB depth chart. i think if he makes a visit here, we can jump up near the top for him.
Navorro has a list of 4 schools: PSU, VA Tech, Tennessee, and tOSU. he will be visiting VA Tech Nov. 4th for their game against Miami and UT on Oct. 1st for their game against Ole Miss. no date yet for his visit to tOSU.
Bowman recorded 15 tackles and 73 yards rushing in his team's 7-0 win last week.
My Take: i realize that this is a Hokie site, but it sounds as if VA Tech may hold a lead at this point. we really need to get him on campus and show him our LB depth chart. i think if he makes a visit here, we can jump up near the top for him.
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OSUBasketballJunkie
Never Forget 31-0
Huge news.....we have a legit shot once we get him on campus.
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The bad news (per the same article) is that Penn State and Virginia Tech still lead, and have since the spring. The official visit will probably be the last chance for the staff to sway Navorro.
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