Woodbridge's Da'Shawn Hand shines at U.S. Army National Combine

One person on hand at the U.S. Army National Combine Jan. 5-7 in San Antonio described Da’Shawn Hand as a “freak of nature.”

Another person at the combine was shocked to learn that Hand was only a sophomore in high school, while another was so impressed with Hand’s firm handshake that he felt like the tight grip was crunching his hand.

Hand’s experience at the combine was an eye-opener for both those observing Woodbridge’s 6-5, 245-pound defensive lineman and for Hand himself.

One of the few sophomores at the invite-only event where underclassmen are run through a variety of test and drills, Hand said he received positive feedback from those overseeing the proceedings. Hand was so impressive that he was named to the Rivals.com U.S. Army All-Combine Team for defense.

“I’m not bragging, but I did well,” Hand said.

Hand competed against other players from the United States as well as players from Canada and even one from Europe. He also got a hefty supply of adidas products like shirts, shorts and socks and listened to Hall of Famers Anthony Munoz and David Robinson speak.

But if there was anything he took away from the combine, it was the importance of a solid work ethic.

“You can never take a day off,” Hand said. “As good as you are, there is always someone out there as good as you. You always need to work hard.”

Hand, who currently holds offers from Boston College, Virginia Tech, Syracuse, N.C. State and Rutgers, recorded 21 sacks this past season in being named the Cardinal District Co-Defensive MVP and second-team all-Northwest Region.

Hand said he has been invited to attend a combine in March at Rutgers.

JACKSON HAS OFFERS

Former Battlefield standout running back Nagee Jackson has offers from Morgan State and Delaware State and was waiting to hear this week about a possible offer from Miami (Ohio).

Jackson spent the fall of 2011 at Fork Union Military Academy after graduating from Battlefield in June.

As a senior on the Bobcats’ 2010 Division 6 state championship team, Jackson was all-Cedar Run District and all-Northwest Region after rushing for 1,134 yards and finishing as the area’s second-leading scorer with 138 points.

STILL WAITING

Former Woodbridge High School standout running back De’Antwan Williams has yet to hear back from the NCAA regarding his petition to retain two years of eligibility. Williams hoped to have the matter cleared up by this month at the latest so he could enroll in another college for the start of the spring semester.

Williams played in two games last season for Rutgers before leaving the team in mid-September after he was replaced as the starting running back. He then decided to transfer to another program. Williams has asked the NCAA to void his junior season so he has two years of eligibility rather than one.

Once Williams hears back from the NCAA, he will have a clearer idea of where he can transfer to.

Ideally, Williams wants to compete for another Division I program, but a player with two years of eligibility is far more attractive to a D-1 school than a player with one year of eligibility.

If the NCAA rejects his request, Williams said he would still consider playing Division I if that works out. But if not, he’ll look at the Division I-AA or Division II level, where he could transfer and play immediately.

If he does transfer to another Division I program, Williams will have to sit out a year before he can play.

OSBOURN COACHING UPDATE

The Eagles began interviews Tuesday and will finish them up early next week to fill their head football coaching position. Steve Schultze, Osbourn’s head coach for 10 seasons, stepped down Dec. 6 for personal reasons.

Sports editor David Fawcett can be reached at 703-530-3911