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Gwynn Park High School running back Khalek Shepherd, Prince George's County's leading scorer and one of its top rushers, committed to play football at the University of Virginia earlier this week.
Shepherd, who has rushed for 1,075 yards and 20 touchdowns through 10 games for the undefeated Yellow Jackets, said he accepted his only Division I scholarship offer in a call to Virginia coach Al Groh Monday morning.
"I just told him I was ready to play at the University of Virginia," Shepherd said. "He told me that I was the type of player he wanted on his team and that my commitment made his week."
The 5-foot-9, 185-pound tailback/defensive back said Virginia coaches plan to employ his speed (4.49 seconds in the 40-yard dash) at running back and slot receiver. Virginia is 3-5 this season including a 26-14 opening-day loss to Division I-AA school William & Mary.
"I want to get in there and learn as much as I can so I can help turn that program around," Shepherd said.
During his recruitment, Shepherd said he received strong interest from West Virginia, Boston College and Maryland. Virginia was the first Division I school to make him an offer, which came less than three weeks ago.
"When I found out that they wanted me, I was very excited," Shepherd said. "They were the first ones to come to me with something real, so I followed suit and committed right away."
Shepherd said he gave his verbal commitment after two weeks of reflection with family and Gwynn Park coach Danny Hayes.
"It's a great decision for him," Hayes said. "He felt at home when he visited and he loved the atmosphere. He wanted to go to a place where academics were important and Virginia fits that."
Virginia rose to the top of Shepherd's short list after a visit to the Charlottesville, Va., campus.
"I felt like I fit in as soon as I got down there," he said. "It just seems like a small town that is together and they really love their sports. It felt like an environment where I wouldn't get in trouble, but I'd still have fun as a college kid."
Shepherd's choice is known as a "soft" commitment, because he has not accepted the scholarship offer in writing. He plans to sign his letter of intent on Feb. 4, the National Signing Day for high school football players.
Hayes says several other Gwynn Park players plan to make college decisions in the coming weeks. Senior wide receiver Curtis Hardy is considering a full scholarship offer from the University of New Mexico. Senior linebacker Brian Blue is considering one from Northeastern. Senior wide receiver Aaron Lewis has an offer from Stony Brook. Senior defensive end Jerome June plans to decide between Stony Brook, Northeastern and Villanova before the end of the regular season, Hayes said. Senior defensive back Everette Weldon committed to Towson earlier this fall.
Gwynn Park (10-0) has this weekend off after Crossland High School cancelled its final two football games of the season in the wake of unsportsmanlike conduct by members of the team. The Yellow Jackets will have the top seed in the 2A South Region playoffs, which they will open at home on Nov. 14.
