Football: Marshall is Next Stop for Reaves and His Record-Breaking Career

Deandre Reaves (center) is all smiles on his Signing Day
Photo courtesy Loudoun County Public Schools

Sterling (Feb. 11, 2011) - Deandre Reaves, a four-year starting running back at Dominion High School, officially signed last week an NCAA Letter of Intent to play football next season for Division I Marshall University. He will receive a full scholarship.

Reaves originally was verbally committed to West Virginia University but changed his mind in the fall, especially after their was some turmoil on the Mountaineers coaching staff -- a new offensive coordinator took over and three other new offensive staff members were hired.

"Switching was because of the coaching staff getting fired and Marshall being a better fit for me and the family," commented Reaves. "Nothing personal, I just needed to find tht right spot for the next four years."

Reaves was the Dulles District Offensive Player of the Year in 2010 as he rushed for 1,780 yards and scored 31 touchdowns. He also was named first team All-Region II and first team All-Group AA.

Reaves is the Titans career rushing leader with 5,120 yards. He led Dominion to its first playoff appearance in 2010 and gained 241 yards with three touchdowns during a 29-26 loss to Warren County.


Reaves said Marshall plans to use him in several ways on offense.

“They're talking about a hybrid (position); pretty much like a slot receiver sometimes, motion into the backfield – pretty much anywhere they could put me.” Reaves said he also could return kicks and punts.

Reaves said he isn't worried about mastering the nuances of a college playbook.

“As you go along, you're going to catch on and it's going to be easy. Football being my primary sport, I catch on to things quickly.”

The thing that will be the biggest challenge for him, Reaves added, is adjusting to the speed of the college game.

“Just getting used to that fast pace, because it's definitely a big jump from high school. You've got linebackers and (defensive ends) running the same…speed as me. That's going to be the biggest adjustment, getting used to the pace and speed of everyone else. It will take a little bit, but I'll get used to it.”

Located in Huntington, W.Va., Marshall plays in the East Division of Conference USA. The Thundering Herd finished 5-7 in 2010.

“It's a nice smaller campus. Huntington is a nice little city.”

Not too long after he graduates from Dominion, Reaves will start working out with the Thundering Herd, participating in a seven-on-seven passing league so that he can learn the pass routes. (He'll soon receive his pre-season training regimen from Marshall.)

Reaves couldn't pick out an outstanding moment from his senior year. “Pretty much the whole season was a highlight.”

One of the things he was most excited about was getting his teammates exposure to the college scouts who came to look at him. “Getting those other guys the looks.”

Reaves said he was proudest of getting the Titans to the playoffs.

“We're not going to be overlooked anymore; people are going to start thinking twice.”

Reporting by VivaLoudoun editor Dan Sousa and Loudoun County Public Schools information office