Saturday, August 16, 2008
Recruiters want Farris' attention
The Rockbridge County lineman has been on the radar of many Division 1 schools for some time.
Jared Soares | The Roanoke Times
Rockbridge County's Caleb Farris, now a junior, received his first recruiting letter during his freshman year.
Jared Soares | The Roanoke Times
Rockbridge County High offensive tackle Caleb Farris Wednesday in Lexington. The rising junior is receiving attention from several Division I schools including Notre Dame and Virginia Tech.
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LEXINGTON -- This had to be a mistake.
Why would they send something to him?
Caleb Farris, then a freshman left tackle at Rockbridge County High School, had just received a letter from the University of Virginia football program.
"When I first got it, I thought they had sent it to me by mistake," Farris said. "I didn't know you could get letters like that as a freshman."
According to Farris, someone from the school even contacted the UVa athletic department to confirm the letter.
It wasn't an accident.
Farris started every game as a freshman in 2006, helping guide the Wildcats to a 9-5 record and an appearance in the Group AA Division 3 state championship.
As a sophomore in 2007, Farris turned the Southern Valley District into his own personal playground, dominating opponents with his 6-foot-4, 250-pound frame.
He registered 36 pancake blocks and did not allow a sack for a 4-6 team. Following the season, Farris was named The Roanoke Times' Sizzlin' Sophomore of the Year.
Farris, who was attending a football camp in Florida at the time of the announcement, wasn't even sure that meant.
"My coach gave me a call one day after camp," Farris said. "He's like, 'Did you know you made Sizzlin' Sophomore of the Year?' I just said, 'What's that?' "
Farris may not have realized it, but his play caught the attention of many college recruiters.
Soon, UVa wasn't the only ACC football program to send him a letter.
Boston College, Maryland and Virginia Tech also expressed interest.
"I started getting a whole bunch of letters, and people wanted me to come to camps for evaluation for football scholarships," Farris said. "That's when I knew I had to put in the work."
The Wildcats' season ended on Nov. 2. Instead of taking a break, Farris hit the weights.
Now a junior, Farris stands 6-4 and weighs 292 -- roughly 40 pounds more than this time last year.
Rockbridge head coach Jason White believes that Farris' work ethic will be a major factor in the recruiting process.
"He's an unbelievable worker," said White, now in his fourth year as head coach. "He's had a great offseason this year. He's put on some weight, added some strength and is moving real well."
Rockbridge has produced several Division I players over the years, but the school has never had an offensive lineman like Farris.
"He's bigger than any of our Division I signees over the last few years, so it's hard to compare him to some of those," White said. "He's our first big-time offensive line prospect that we've had in the nine years that I've been here."
Most of the schools that have inquired about Farris want to see some film from the first two games of his junior campaign.
The NCAA officially allows schools to extend scholarships to juniors on Sept. 1. Both White and Farris expect several offers to follow.
The Farris family has been Virginia Tech season-ticket holders for several years, but he has made it clear that he will look into all of his options.
"I'm gonna try to at least go to one game for each college," Farris said. "Boston may be a stretch, but if they offer me, I have to go."
Farris is sitting out of practice with a tweaked hamstring, but he should be ready to go for the Wildcats' opener at Jefferson Forest on Aug. 29.
Who knows? He may even get to play some defense this year.
"All the colleges are looking at me for offense, so I'm mainly trying to keep up with that," Farris said. "But I would like to play a little defense, hit somebody on the other side of the ball."
Rockbridge returns a total of 18 starters, including district defensive player of the year Dylan Walsh.
With a talented and experienced group returning, Farris believes that the Wildcats can make another deep run into the playoffs.
"It's all about the team," Farris said. "I'm hoping that we can get a ring on everybody's finger.
"For myself, I just want to do the best I can."
