Radir Anoor, Al Thompson, Woody Baron, Graham Shuler, Jaclyn Heckle and Kaylor Murray

Shuler, Baron stick with Pac-12, ACC schools; Thompson, Anoor staying in-state

Updated 2:50 p.m.
By CAROL STUART
Brentwood Home Page
Four Brentwood Academy football players, a soccer player and a runner signed national letters-of-intent at a Wednesday school ceremony to compete collegiately in their respective sports next year.

Defensive line recruit Woody Baron stuck with his commitment to Virginia Tech, although Vanderbilt and Cocah James Franklin made a strong push.

All-American offensive lineman Graham Shuler, likewise, inked with Stanford as expected even though he made a trip to Georgia two weeks ago.

Woody Baron is headed to Virginia Tech for football.

Graham Shuler will play for the Pac-12's Stanford in football.

Al Thompson signed with UT-Chattanooga in football.

Radir Anoor will play for the Tennessee Tech football team.

Kaylor Murray will run track for Hampton University.

Jaclyn Heckle signed to play soccer for UT-Martin.

Wide receiver Al Thompson, originally headed to Arizona State before a coaching change, decided on Tennessee-Chattanooga despite last-second overtures from other schools including Ole Miss and UCLA.

Running back Radir Anoor, who missed his entire senior season after knee surgery, took an offer from Tennessee Tech instead of waiting till some other coaches could see him return to form in track season.

Kaylor Murray chose Hampton University over Norfolk State to continue her running career, and Brentwood Soccer Club Premier ’94 player Jaclyn Heckle will compete at Tennessee-Martin where both her parents graduated.

Woody Baron, Virginia Tech, football

Baron, a four-year starter on both the BA offensive and defensive lines, said his uncle James Baron’s experience at Virginia Tech played a big factor in his decision. He considered Vanderbilt which offered an opportunity to be close to family, but enjoyed several trips to the Hokies campus last summer.

“I found it to be the perfect it,” said Baron, whose family each put on a hat as he signed. “… I know that in order to improve myself that I felt like Virginia Tech was best in my future.”

Baron was a Mr. Football finalist, the 2011 team captain, and had more than 30 sacks as well as numerous tackles for loss and quarterback pressures. BA defensive coordinator Floyd Elliott, while at MBA, remembered seeing film of “this humongous  guy in the eighth grade punting,” getting a low snap, and then outrunning everyone.

“I’ve been doing this for 35 years and I think I can honestly say I’ve never seen anyone with as much speed, power, strength and quickness, and he knows how to use those attributes on the football field,” Elliott said. “He is an awesome individual.”

Graham Shuler, Stanford, football 

Shuler had committed to Pacific-12 power  Stanford eight months ago, and was ready to sign on the dotted line Wednesday after the long wait. But in the meantime, he waffled somewhat over his decision and visited Georgia two weeks ago.

“So I had some hesitations last minute, but at the end of the day it was great for me just because I was able to see the full picture of everything and really realize that I had made the original right choice,” said Shuler, who played with some of his future teammates at the Army All-American Game. (He was invited to the current International Bowl but would miss too much school.)

During his 38 games for the Eagles, Shuler  started on the O-line at tight end, tackle, guard and even center some. He was a Mr. Football finalist, Rivals first-team All-American and won the Doc Blanchard Award at the Army national all-star game.

“Graham had the opportunity to play at a lot of colleges,” said Jason Mathews, line coach and former Titans player. “In fact there were a lot of close colleges and I’m sure a lot of his friends, mentors told him … it might be easier if you play here other than Stanford. Graham didn’t take the easy way out. He’s going to a place that’s going to challenge him. He will have to work day and many long nights at Stanford, and I know he’s going to do it.”

Al Thompson, UT-Chattanooga, football

Thompson, who had committed to Arizona State before Dennis Erickson was fired as coach, fielded several late offers this week after he de-committed with the new Sun Devils coaching staff. He said he “didn’t get a good vibe” at ASU.

“It moreso came down to do you want to go somewhere that wants you the most, or do you want to go somewhere where they want you just kind of last-second. I wanted to be somewhere where I was comfortable,” Thompson said. “… I think it was better for me to take something different, rather than going to Arizona State. I’m excited.”

Eagles’ second-year wide receivers Clay Whitehurst recalled as just “a BA dad watching football from the stands” three seasons ago that Thompson stood out even as a sophomore. Now, in the press box last year, he was always “trying to figure out a way to get the ball to Al.”

“UT-Chattanooga is extremely fortunate to have a football player like Al,” Whitehurst said. “… I had a coach call me asking some adjectives to describe Al; they were smooth, explosive, dependable, reliable, fast and high character.”

Radir Anoor, Tennessee Tech, football

Anoor, after helping BA win a state track championship last spring, ended up with summer knee surgery that kept him sidelined from football his senior season. He decided to go with Tennessee Tech on National Signing Day instead of waiting on some schools that wanted to check his progress during his spring track sprints.

He said he felt at home and felt most wanted at Tech, coached by former Vanderbilt player and coach Watson Brown – and the brother of Texas football coach Mack Brown. “I actually didn’t know until I saw him and he looked just like Coach Mack.  I was like ‘Whoa, are y’all related,’ and he said ‘We’re brothers.’ That just caught me by surprise,” Anoor said, laughing.

Kurston Biggers, strength coach and running backs coach, said he didn’t think as a freshman Anoor would ever play much for Brentwood Academy but that “Radir outworked everybody we had.” He said Tech is getting a great football player and “a much better man.”

“We’ve been blessed over the years to have many great running backs here at Brentwood Academy. I can honestly say that I’ve never been more proud of a young man than I am Radir,” Biggers said. “We all know what he’s gone through this last year ... But the whole time Radir has kept a smile on his face. Y’all have all seen that smile, and we all love it.”

Kaylor Murray, Hampton University, running

Murray started competition as a runner at age 7, and still holds BA middle school records in the 800, 1600 and 1.5-mile cross country race. She earned 19 national age-group awards while competing with the Illusions Track Club in AAU and USA Track & Field events.

“I took a visit two weeks ago to both Norfolk and to Hampton, and then I liked both campuses,” said Murray, whose neighbor attends Hampton currently. “But I just felt peace and felt more comfortable at Hampton University so I’ll be running there next year for the Pirates."

In high school, Murray was all-state in cross country and in track for the 800, 1600, 3200, 4x800 and 4x 400. Her personal bests are 2:18 in the 800 meters; 5:11 at 1600; 11:26 in the 3200; and 19:02 for 5K cross country.

“Kaylor’s journey has been one marked with growth, courage and will,” track coach Kathy Cheeseman said.

Jaclyn Heckle, UT-Martin, soccer

Heckle chose UT-Martin over other schools including Cincinnati and Belmont. She was a four-year starter in high school, a team captain, and participated in student leadership and service organizations.

“Both my parents went to UT-Martin so I was really excited, and it just fits me the most so I took that offer and that chance,” Heckle said.

She also won three state championship teams in travel soccer with BWSC and participated in the Tennessee Olympic Development Program. Her select coach is Brandy Gagliano.

“She is incredibly competitive and works extremely hard to get where she is today,” BA varsity girls soccer coach Warren Bezuidenhout said.

Back row, from left: BA football assistant coaches Kurston Biggers, Clay Whitehurst, Floyd Elliott and Jason Mathews; girls soccer coach Warren Bezuidenhout; and girls track coach Kathy Cheeseman. Front row, from left: Radir Anoor, Al Thompson, Woody Baron, Graham Shuler, Jaclyn Heckle and Kaylor Murray.