Ocean Lakes receiver says he's headed to LSU

VIRGINIA BEACH

Ocean Lakes wide receiver Justin Hunter, one of the nation's most highly regarded athletes in the c lass of 2010, orally committed Sunday night to Louisiana State.

The 6-foot-4, 175-pound junior had offers from Ohio State, Tennessee, Penn State, USC, Virginia Tech, Virginia, Alabama, Clemson and Florida.

Ocean Lakes coach Chris Scott said Hunter wanted to go to a school where he'd have the opportunity to compete in football and track.

"He's been really good at communicating that to all coaches," Scott said of Hunter's desire to participate in both sports. "And some people have been more understanding about his desires to want to play both sports.

"I know that LSU was one of those schools that would allow him to do both and compete at a very high level in both sports."

Last season, Hunter showed signs of greatness on the football field when he finished with 34 receptions for 558 yards and nine touchdowns to help lead the Dolphins to their first Eastern Region final. He also was named second-team All-Tidewater.

On the track, Hunter is ranked second in the nation in the long jump with a leap of 25 feet, 1/2 inch and fifth nationally in the high jump at 7-2.

Scott said committing now will enable Hunter to focus more on his studies.

"I know the recruiting process has already taken its toll on Justin in regards to everyone pulling at him from different sports and different schools," he said. "I just know that he has a big year of academics ahead of him in making sure he takes care of his grades and the SAT.

"He wasn't really able to focus on that. So that also played a big part into him making an early decision."

Larry Rubama, (757) 446-2273, larry.rubama@pilotonline.com