By Owen Gotimer
LoCoSports Editor-in-Chief
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Sterling (February 27, 2016) — Dominion High School senior Jordan Hinson has made a commitment to continue his football career at University of Virginia’s College at Wise beginning in the 2016-2017 academic year.
“It was a very long process for me and my family, and it is very relieving to know that I have found a school that feels like home where I can fit in,” the 5-foot-10, 175-pound Hinson said. “It really is exciting to move onto the next chapter in my life.”
Hinson decided UVA Wise was the best spot for him to pursue the next chapter of his life after taking a visit to the school in southwestern Virginia.
“The campus really impressed me, and the new coaching staff is very experienced and motivated to push the program to its fullest potential,” Hinson said. “Also, my recruiting coordinator coach Shap Boyd was very interested in me and what I could bring to the team.”
The Division II Highland Cavaliers new coaching staff is headlined by veteran head coach Dane Damron who took over the UVA Wise program in December 2015. Damron hopes to bring in some LoCo talent – like Hinson, fellow Dominion senior James Burless and Loudoun Valley senior Michael Cypher – to improve on a 1-10 finish in 2015.
“I think I can bring another playmaker that makes great decisions and is always around the ball,” said Hinson who will play defensive back for the Highland Cavaliers.
The Washington, D.C.-native certainly knows how to impact his team as he helped the Dominion Titans — along with James Madison-commit Adeeb Atariwa, Shenandoah-commit Chris Hanna, Gannon-commit Derrick Kouame, Fairmont State-commit Brandon Ruffin, McDaniel-commit Luke Thompson and Bryant-commit Taliek Washington – to a 6-4 finish in 2015 missing a VHSL 4A West region playoff berth by less than half a power point.
“Coach Karl Buckwalter is a great mentor and has helped me tremendously in my search for a college,” said Hinson who was named first team all-Conference 21B in 2015. “I have made many close relationships from the players on the Dominion football team. Everyone always pushed each other in the weight room and out on the field, and it was an honor to represent the Titans as a football player.”
When he was just six-years-old, Hinson’s dad introduced him to the sport he has taken a keen interest in and the one he will take with him to college.
“From that day on, I really learned to love the sport ever since,” Hinson said. “My mother, as well as, my father pushes me every day to be not only the best player that I can be but also the best person that I can be. I had always dreamed of playing football at the collegiate level, and now it’s reality.”
