Before the聽, 草莓传媒 is taking a closer look at this year鈥檚 award recipients. This year鈥檚聽Players of the Year are DeMarcco Hellams from D.C., Tre鈥橫on Morris-Brash from Maryland, and Taylor Morin from Virginia.聽
Thursday night, three outstanding prep football players will be added to an illustrious list of those honored by the DC Touchdown Club. DeMatha WR/DB DeMarcco Hellams, St. John鈥檚 DE Tre鈥橫on Morris-Brash and Westfield WR/DB Taylor Morin will each take home their respective state honors as Player of the Year.
鈥淚鈥檝e heard a lot about the Touchdown Club and players who鈥檝e come before me,鈥� said Hellams. 鈥淚鈥檓 looking forward to the speakers and the chance to build relationships with other guys who have been places where I鈥檇 like to be.鈥�
While he had nearly 1,500 receiving yards and 21 touchdowns as a wideout, his 12 interceptions were arguably more impressive, and the reason he鈥檒l play defense at Alabama next year.
On the Falcons鈥� second play of the drive, Nick Cross rips the ball away from the running back, returns it 37 yards for a TD. 2-pt conversion good, 22-2
鈥� Noah Frank (@NoahFrank草莓传媒)
Hellams was actually recruited by new Maryland head coach Mike Locksley, while the latter was an assistant at Alabama. While he at least gave College Park a look once Locksley came home, ultimately what had sold him on Alabama remained.
鈥淚t was more about the relationships I have already built,鈥� said Hellams, who was very complimentary of Locksley, nonetheless. 鈥淚 committed for the program. I committed for the school. He made the best decision for him, I made the best decision for me.鈥�
Morris-Brash is UCF-bound, committing to the emerging powerhouse during the Under Armour All-America Game in Orlando. Despite more than 20 offers from schools across the country, Morris-Brash only visited Central Florida. Perhaps the biggest of his 15 sacks in his senior season came in the closing seconds to seal St. John鈥檚 regular season win over DeMatha, which kept the Cadets perfect at the time.
Morin, headed to Wake Forest, is thrilled to be sharing the stage with his fellow award winners.
鈥淲e鈥檝e scrimmaged their teams a couple times, they鈥檙e tremendous players,鈥� he said.
The award will also give the Westfield senior 鈥� who was forced into action as a quarterback in his team鈥檚 final game and totaled four touchdowns, one receiving, one rushing, one passing and one defensive 鈥� a chance to reunite with Darrell Green. The legendary cornerback also presented Morin with his Pro Football Hall of Fame Award for excellence last year.
Green will receive the Founder鈥檚 Award, while other honors will go to Verne Lundquist (Lifetime Achievement), Morgan Wootten (Circle of Legends), Dwayne Haskins Jr. (Washington Metro College Player of the Year) and Tom Verbanic (Washington Metro High School Coach of the Year).
