COLLEGE FOOTBALL
Ex-Southern University QB pledges to Hampton
Hampton University received a commitment from quarterback Jalen Woods, who has played for FCS Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
The 6-foot-1, 200-pounder from College Park, Georgia, was a backup in 2025, completing 13 of 18 passes for 88 yards and rushing once for 8 yards. He played more as a freshman in 2024, completing 38 of 66 for 541 yards, four touchdowns and three interceptions and carrying 19 times for zero net yards, counting sacks.
Woods presumably will compete for the starting job under first-year coach Van Malone.
UVA, Hokies, JMU add more players
Former Yale and San Diego State defensive end Ezekiel Larry of Palmdale, California, committed to Virginia, he confirmed to the Daily Progress of Charlottesville. Larry, 6-foot-2 and 240 pounds, played sparingly for SDSU in 2024 but had 48 tackles and 10.5 sacks for Yale in 2025, forcing two fumbles and defending two passes.
Virginia Tech added former Baylor edge defender Kamauryn Morgan, a 6-5, 251-pounder with three years of eligibility, according to On3 Sports. He had six tackles in five games in 2025.
James Madison gained a commitment from former Division II West Florida wide receiver Corey Scott. The 6-foot-1, 180-pounder earned first-team all-conference honors this season by totaling 63 receptions and 1,018 yards.
He reportedly chose the Dukes over Michigan State and Virginia Tech, among others, and has two years of eligibility remaining.
Meanwhile, the Dukes signed former Western Kentucky defensive lineman Chukwunedu Okeke.
NFL
Commanders conduct OC, DC interviews
The Washington Commanders, who are seeking replacements for former offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury and defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr., have been requesting and conducting interviews.
They have interviewed offensive coordinator candidates Lunda Wells, Dallas’ tight ends coach, and Drew Terrell, a former Commanders aide who joined the Arizona Cardinals’ staff in 2023, according to si.com and ESPN’s Adam Schefter. They have requested an interview with Las Vegas Raiders defensive coordinator Patrick Graham.
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, internal interviews have been conducted. Potential candidates include passing game coordinator and assistant head coach Brian Johnson, run game coordinator and running backs coach Anthony Lynn, and assistant quarterbacks coach David Blough.
HIGH SCHOOLS
Area cheerleaders named all-state
Several area girls earned Virginia High School League all-state honors in Class 4 Competition Cheer.
The first team included Grafton senior Sophia Padalino, junior Makaylia Wyatt and sophomore Sophia Swisher, as well as Gloucester sophomores Audrey Hartney and Lia Neilson.
The second team included Grafton junior Breeanna Connors, Gloucester sophomore Charleigh Riley and senior Carly Conway, Lafayette senior Elsie Dabney and Jamestown senior Estella Miller.
Grafton was the state runner-up to Broad Run, which provided Athlete of the Year Hannah Dufour and Coach of the Year Megan Bichy. Gloucester was seventh at state.
BASEBALL
VCU won’t play at CarMax Park in 2026
CarMax Park is scheduled to be ready for the Double-A Richmond Flying Squirrels’ opening day April 7, but the team released a statement Friday saying it is ending discussions about VCU about playing any 2026 games there, CBS TV affiliate WTVR reported.
For now, VCU will continue to play home games at The Diamond, the Squirrels’ former home. The Rams will have to play all of their home games in daytime, since The Diamond’s lights have been transferred to CarMax Park.