Football: Stone Bridge Grad Devon "Ylou" Brown Signs with Washington Redskins

By Dan Sousa
Viva Loudoun Editor

Ashburn (May 2, 2012) - Stone Bridge High School grad Devon "Ylou" Brown, who played wide receiver at Wake Forest before finishing up his collegiate career at West Virginia this past season, confirmed Wednesday that he has signed with the Washington Redskins. (While Brown is not listed by the Redskins as one of 12 undrafted free agents signed this week, we expect he is one of 36 players in camp today, most likely on a tryout contract).

"Growing up in the area, the Redskins were my favorite team, the home team. It really hasn't hit me yet," said Brown, who had more than 1,500 yards receiving and 12 overall touchdowns in college. "I was talking with a (WVU) teammate and we said that this is the opportunity we have been working for our whole lives."

Brown said it probably won't sink in totally until he hits the practice field and that will be soon as he said the Redskins will hold a mini-camp for rookies, and undrafted free agents May 4-6.

College Corner: Heritage Grad, West Virginia Football Walkon Nick Cadwell Awarded Full Scholarship for Spring Semester

West Virginia Redshirt Junior Nick Cadwell with parents Paul and Kris at Orange Bowl

(Jan. 9, 2012) - Hard does indeed pay off, just ask Heritage High School grad Nick Cadwell, a redshirt junior walkon safety at West Virginia, who not only saw kickoff action in the Orange Bowl but has been awarded a full scholarship for this upcoming spring semester.

Cadwell posted on Facebook Sunday: "Today I got some of the best news of my life. I found out that I will now have a full scholarship for football to WVU. Thank you to all of you that have always believed in me and always been there for me. Its a great day to be a mountaineer!!"

Cadwell graduated from Heritage in 2008 after a standout prep career that included 218 tackles with 126, 60 of them solo and nine sacks, coming in his senior year. Cadwell walked onto the Mountaineer program where he redshirted in 2008 and was a scout team star in 2009 and 2010. This season Cadwell broke onto the depth charts, coming into the season as No. 3 at free safety.

Cadwell said he was driving back for the spring semester when he got the call about the scholarship, and it was a complete surprise.

"They just started to talk to me about my good grades and that how I have been working really hard and that they have notice it and they said that they were going to put me on scholarship for this semester. I didnt know how to react," said Cadwell.

Football: Gone Bowling! Loudoun Boasts 26 Athletes on Rosters of Bowl-Bound College Teams

SB grad Zach Thompson
(photo courtesy Wake Forest)

(Dec. 6, 2011) - Loudoun's success on the football field -- Loudoun schools have made seven state title appearances since 2007 and if Briar Woods can defend its Division 4 state crown Saturday it will be the fifth straight year a Loudoun school has won a state title -- has translated to plenty of local athletes at the NCAA Division I level.

In fact, you will have a good chance this college bowl season to catch a Loudoun grad as a total of 26 Loudoun football players are on the rosters of bowl-bound teams spread over 11 bowl games from Dec. 20 to Jan. 7. An impressive 10 Stone Bridge grads are on bowl-eligible teams rosters.

Not all the players listed below suit out at games or travel as some work hard for the practice squads but they are all part of top tier football programs and they got their start in Loudoun! Across the state of Virginia there is all kinds of football talent ... see the list below:

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.

Football: Dominion All-State Running Back Reaves Shifts Gears from West Virginia to Marshall for College Choice

Sterling (Jan. 31, 2011) - Deandre Reaves will be signing his National Letter of Intent this Wednesday in a ceremony in the Dominion High School media center at 3:45 p.m. but the Associated Press Group AA first team all-state running back will be playing at Marshall University next year and not West Virginia as previously announced in August.

Detailed article from HerdNation.com with Reaves' high school numbers and reasons why he switched.

Here is WVUMetro.com's coverage of the switch.

News: Diviney sister makes best of experience at WVU - The Daily Athenaeum

(Sept. 29, 2010) - This article from the student publication at West Virginia University gives an update on the Diviney family of Ashburn who are caring for Broad Run High School grad Ryan Diviney, still in a coma after an attack last year near campus. Ryan's sister, Kari Diviney, is a freshman this year at WVU.

Diviney sister makes best of experience at WVU - The Daily Athenaeum - News

To donate to the care of Ryan Diviney and for updates on his recovery, go to www.ryanrally.org.

A more in-depth look at the current care of Ryan Diviney from this article in the Dominion Post.

Football: Dominion Celebrates Deandre Reaves' Decision to Play at West Virginia

(Aug. 23, 2010) - On the eve of his senior season, Dominion High School senior running back Deandre Reaves celebrated his decision a week ago to play NCAA Division I college football at West Virginia University next year.

Reaves enters the 2010 season with 3,199 career rushing yards and 36 touchdowns. The AA Titans, looking for the school's first ever playoff bid this year, open the season Friday at home against AAA Loudoun Valley.

Football: Dominion Running Back Deandre Reaves Commits to West Virginia

(Aug. 20, 2010) - Dominion High School running back Deandre Reaves, entering his fourth year as a standout starter for the Titans, has committed to play football next year at West Virginia University. Dominioin school will host a celebration to commemorate Reaves' decision on Monday at 2 p.m. in the school's media center.

College Corner: Heritage Grad Cadwell Making Strides at West Virginia

(May 13, 2010) - Former Heritage High School standout Nick Cadwell recently competed in the spring football game at West Virginia University and the redshirt sophomore will look to compete for playing time in the upcoming season. Cadwell has bulked up to 192 pounds and is listed as the third string free safety and also should get a solid look at special teams play this summer.

Photos courtesy Paul Cadwell

Football: Heritage Grad Cadwell to Suit Up for West Virginia vs. Pitt

(Nov. 25, 2009) - Some walk-on players at big-time college football programs never get to suit up with the team. That is just the reality of it but for Leesburg native Nick Cadwell, his hard work has paid off after the team informed the redshirt freshmen, who was low enough on the walk-on chart that he didn't make the summer roster, that he will suit up for West Virginia this Friday when the Mountaineers host Pitt in an nationally-televised contest at 7 p.m.

The Heritage High School grad -- a linebacker back then -- hit the weight room last year and made the spring squad as a walk-on. Told to come back out when school started, Cadwell played well enough that he has been starting free safety on the West Virginia practice squad.

After practice this week he was informed that Friday he would make his official debut. Look for him wearing No. 41.

Congrats to Nick, a player we enjoyed covering in his high school days.