Oscar Smith RB transforming from Tiger to Hokie

CHESAPEAKE

J.C. Coleman is trying to take it all in.

On Monday, he graduated with honors from Oscar Smith High School. On Thursday, he celebrated his 18th birthday and had a going-away party with family and friends. And this morning he left to prepare for classes at Virginia Tech.

"It's a whole lot to take in for anybody," said Coleman, a two-time first-team All-Tidewater running back who helped lead the Tigers to a Group AAA Division 6 state title last month. "I had to finish up a couple of classes, I had exams and I had to pack. So it's a whole lot to think about right now."

He has even more to think about. Last week, Virginia Tech star running back David Wilson announced he was skipping his senior season for the NFL. Wilson set a school single-season record with 1,709 yards, and the Hokies must find his replacement.

Coleman wants to make sure he's ready.

"I pretty much told myself that I have to work even harder because I'm probably going to have an increased role in the offense," said Coleman, the No. 9 prospect in the state according to Rivals.com. "It's going to be pretty hard to keep me off the field this year. I just want to make sure that I'm ready."

Coleman, 5-foot-8 and 180 pounds, finished his Tigers career with 4,416 yards, including playoff games. He's fifth in South Hampton Roads history with 326 points scored.

He rushed for 1,488 yards and 20 touchdowns as a senior despite missing three games because of an ankle injury. He also scored three touchdowns in the state championship game.

"When I came back from my injury, I wasn't myself at all," said Coleman, who says he's about 99 percent now. "I just couldn't do what I used to do and I was in a lot of pain.

"But I got through it and we won a state title. So it all worked out."

Coleman will have plenty of competition at Virginia Tech. First Colonial's Tony Gregory and King's Fork's Dominique Patterson already are there, and two incoming freshmen are expected to be in the backfield mix. But Coleman believes enrolling early will help his chances.

Coleman follows other recent Oscar Smith stars to enroll early, including quarterback Phillip Sims (Alabama), receiver Quinta Funderburk (Arkansas) and lineman Evan Hailes (Penn State).

"I get to go in and start spring practice, get a whole semester in of lifting weights, learn the playbook and get acclimated to school," he said. "I just thought there was nothing but positives coming out of it."

Coleman's parents also believe he's ready.

"I told him he doesn't have time to play around or party," Joel Coleman said. "He has to go there ready to work because they're going to put demands on him."

Though his mother knows he's ready, it doesn't make it any easier.

"To see all of his goals so far come to fruition you can't help but be really proud," Mychelle Coleman said. "But I know when we're driving back on Sunday it's going to hit me. I feel like he's ready and I have no other choice but to let him go."

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