A Look Towards The Future: Nick Dew

Nick Dew
Safety
6'2", 200 lbs, 4.45
First Colonial High School - Virginia Beach, VA
Offers: Virginia Tech (committed), Arkansas, ECU, Kentucky, Louisville, Maryland, Purdue, Syracuse, UVA, and West Virginia.

Rankings
Rivals.com: 3 star, 49th best defensive back, 18th best in-state
ESPN.com: 4 star, 49th best player in the nation, ESPN 150 member, 7th best Safety
Scout.com: 2 star, 131st best defensive back.

ESPN Bio and Analysis

Dew is the entire package and a major sleeper. He has a great blend of speed, quickness, size and athletic ability. A tall drink of water that has good overall size and is an intimidating player both sides of the ball. As a defensive player could line up at safety, outside linebacker or defensive end. A real threat coming off the edge as a pass rusher or blitzer. Times his get off the ball well and shows a real burst when coming on the blitz; runs by blockers or uses his hands and long arms to defeat pass protectors.

Uses hands to control the blockers pads and works the edge of the offensive man to win the one on one battle. Gives exceptional effort and will not be denied getting to the quarterback. Often deflects the pass with long arms while on the blitz or pass rush once the quarterback releases the ball. A rangy athlete that is a long strider and can cover a lot of territory within just a few strides. Shows a real burst getting to the football in order to make the play. Can change direction quickly and is always in control of his body; never off balance. Exceptional jumping ability and gets way into the air to break up passes on defense and to catch the ball as a wide receiver on offense.

As a receiver runs good routes and is a real threat due to speed and vertical ability. Few receivers are more dangerous running the fade or takeoff. Dew has tremendous athletic talent and has all the tools to standout at the next level. He can line up at several positions and with his speed and athleticism can be a major producer on special teams as a punt or field goal blocker.

Lemming's Notes

A fast rising FS who shows a smooth backpedal, he's quick in transition, and does a good job in pass defense. He also proves to be very reliable in run support. An explosive ball player with good anticipation and timing, he's able to break down in the open field and make plays. He's also known for his sure hands on defense. Grades–His GPA is over a 2.5. Benches 310 and has 37" vertical jump. Favorite Schools– Committed to Virginia Tech.

Hampton Road's Recruiting Summary

One recruiting service ranks him the No. 9 prospect in the state and the No. 29 safety in the country. Purdue likes him as a receiver because of his fearlessness to go up and get the ball. Virginia Tech sees him as a rover/linebacker, but most schools like him as a defensive back.

“He’s strong enough to play linebacker but also quick enough to cover someone out of the backfield,” Patriots coach Bill McTyre said. “He’s a unique individual.”

Others call him “the total package.” He has a great blend of speed, quickness, size and athletic ability. He’s a great open-field tackler and his long arms and jumping ability on the blitz make him a nightmare for quarterbacks. He can bench 275 pounds, has a 36-inch vertical and runs 4.4 in the 40.

He also might be playing with a chip on his shoulder after he received just one vote for All-Beach District. Instead of complaining, he worked harder.

“I just shook my head because I knew what he could do,” McTyre said. Now everyone else will find out what Dew can do. He has been chosen to play in the 2010 Under Armour All-American game Jan. 2 in Orlando.

Not surprisingly he’s getting a lot of interest. He has got many offers, including from Virginia Tech, Purdue, Virginia, Syracuse, West Virginia, Maryland, Louisville and Arkansas. He’s getting interest from Alabama, Duke, Michigan State, North Carolina and Tennessee.

Justin's Assessment

I very rarely agree with anything ESPN says but in this case, their 4 star ranking of Nick Dew is by far the most accurate I've seen. It's easy to see that something about the Virginia Beach native has caught the eye of the Scouts and needless to say, he caught the eye of defensive coordinator Bud Foster and offensive line coach Curt Newsome, who was his lead recruiter.

Dew has the ability to play several different positions at Tech including Rover, Free Safety, and WHIP Linebacker. With Tech having 4 senior at those positions, It wouldn't surprise me to see Dew sneak his way into the two deep by this time next year. It's going to be awfully hard to keep a player of his ability off the field, even if it is best to let him redshirt and adjust to the college game.

Nick is fully qualified and will enroll in the second summer session next July.

Videos

You can view Nick Dew's Hampton Roads.com recruiting profile, which includes his highlight film, here.

Articles

Nick Dew Commits to Virginia Tech - HamptonRoads.com