Collegiate Times

Having left high school behind, DJ Coles and Tony Gregory have a step on the competition, both academically and physically after spending a semester at Fork Union Military Academy.

Coles, a 2008 graduate of Goochland High School, offered a verbal commitment to Virginia Tech last year, but opted to play at Fork Union this season.

He committed to Virginia Tech during his senior year in high school, and was rated in the top 10 players in the state of Virginia for his graduating class, above Hokie receivers Dyrell Roberts and Jarrett Boykin.

Coles stands 6'4" and weighs in at 200 pounds, making him the tallest wide receiver in the incoming class.

Goochland High School coach Joe Fowler said Coles would reap the benefits from an extra year of physical development.

"Regardless of where he's going to play at the next level, he needed that extra time in the weight room," Fowler said.

Fork Union head coach John Shuman, father of Tech center Ryan Shuman, said Coles had plenty of athletic ability waiting to be harnessed.

"DJ is an explosive athlete with good hands," Shuman said.

Coles made the switch from running back, his high school position, to wide receiver at Fork Union.

Fowler said a season at prep school was advantageous because of Coles' position change.

"I think the year at Fork Union was great for him," Fowler said. "He got an opportunity to work on his skills at wide receiver."

Shuman said Coles progressed in some of the basics of the position.

"We had to get him going on his routes, and he really improved in that respect," Shuman said.

Shuman said Coles also played safety and showed potential value in a defensive role.

Gregory is a speed-oriented running back, originally from First Colonial High School in Virginia Beach.

He runs the 40-yard dash in 4.4 seconds, but weighs only 178 pounds. Shuman said he made the most of his prep school season.

"For an undersized kid, he played pretty well for us," Shuman said. "He did everything we asked of him."

Gregory scored seven touchdowns, but one 85-yard burst against North Carolina Tech stood out to Shuman.

Both players stand to benefit from going to prep school, in both athletics and academics.

"They'll be good students and good guys on the field," Shuman said.

Gregory enrolled at Tech for the current semester and is majoring in communication.

Fowler said Fork Union is a positive experience for athletes.

"I don't know anyone who's ever gone to Fork Union who didn't say he was better for it," Fowler said.

After a year of playing prep schools with other major college athletes, Shuman said the two future offensive threats will have a better idea of what is required for success.

"They understand the level of competition," Shuman said. "They know to be a sponge and absorb everything from the coaches."