Southern Conference Signing Day Recap And Class Rankings

Oct 11, 2014; Tucson, AZ, USA; Detailed view of an official Nike football in the hands of a player prior to being snapped on the field during the game between the Southern California Trojans against the Arizona Wildcats at Arizona Stadium. The Trojans defeated the Wildcats 28-26. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

9. VMI

There’s no doubt that over the years, VMI has had trouble bringing in the type of talent to be competitve in the Southern Conference, however, the program has produced some fine talents in years past despite the obvious struggles of being a military school.

After all, the Keydets did acquire the services of running back Thomas Haskins (1993-96) and Joey Gibson (2000-04) in years past, which are two solid players to say the least, and just last season, the Keydets were able to bring in a quarterback that ended up leading the SoCon in passing and was named the league’s Freshman of the Year in 2014.

VMI will have a new man in charge of its football program this fall, as Scott Wachenheim takes the reins of the football program. The 1984 graduate of The United States Air Force Academy had to hit the ground running at VMI, as he was hired a little less than two months until Signing Day 2015.

Wachenheim’s most recent stop was at Virginia, where he served as the offensive line coach for the Cavaliers. Prior to that, Wachenheim spent four seasons in Lynchburg, VA, where he was elevated to as high assistant head coach while with the Flames before leaving UVa in 2011.

Wachenheim was able to put together a solid group of signees despite having a limited time to work on procuring talent after taking over the head job on Dec. 14. The Red and Gold welcomed the addition of 13 new student-athletes.

The Keydets addressed needs on both sides of the football, signing seven on the offensive side of the ball, while six on the defensive side of the ball. Eleven of the Keydets’ 13 signees hail from the Commonwealth of Virginia, while also picking up a pair of signees from neighboring Maryland.

Linebacker was among the biggest needs addressed in Wachenheim’s inaugural signing class at the helm in Lexington, as the new head coach brought in a pair of talented performers, in outside linebacker Arnold Roots (Varina HS/Henrico, VA) and Tyler Fedison (Salem HS/Salem, VA) at inside linebacker.

The Keydets also welcome in a pair of talented performers along the defensive line, adding defensive end Jarrod Richmond (Graham HS/Bluefield, VA) and Casey Phillips (McDonough HS/Neburg, MD).

Offensively, the skill positions were a focus, as the Keydets brought in three running backs, a pair of wide receivers and a quarterback.

The 2014 season marked VMI’s return to the Southern Conference, and in the first season back in the league, the Keydets would finish with a 2-10 overall mark and a 1-6 league mark. VMI’s lone win in the Southern Conference was a significant one, however, as the Keydets knocked off Furman for the first time since 1979, with a 31-15 win in Lexington. It snapped a streak of 21-straight wins in the series by the Paladins.

The Keydets welcome the return of 18 starters for the 2015 season, including the league’s Freshman of the Year under center.

Best In Class:
The Keydets have always seemingly brought in talented players at the skill positions, and the 2015 class looks to follow in the same theme. In years past, players like Thomas Haskins, Tim Maypray, Al Lester, Joey Gibson, Sean Mizzer and just last season, Alan Cobb, as the explosive talent signed on the offensive side of the ball has become an expectation in the Shenandoah Valley.

The latest of those talented skill signees appears to be Old Line State signee and running back Chris Gavin (South Carroll HS/Westminter, MD), who comes to VMI from South Carroll High School in Westminster, MD.

Gavin appears to be a steal for the Keydets, as he is coming off a senior season which saw him set a new county rushing record, with 2,016 yards on 250 carries, including 26 touchdowns scored and 2,500 total offensive yards.

Gavin was a first-team All-State selection, as well as garnering 1st Team All-State Running Back, in addition to garnering Carroll County Times Player of the Year.

Stay tuned to SaturdayBlitz.com in the coming weeks as we begin to take a look at spring perveiws for all eight Southern Conference teams heading into the 2015 season.

Next: No. 8 Ranked Recruiting Class