ROCKINGHAM — Even though he hasn’t been able to participate in spring practices with the Richmond Raiders, rising senior wide receiver Dalton Stroman has spent the coronavirus dead period doing some serious thinking.
The 6-4, 170-pound wideout recently announced the top five colleges and universities he’s considering playing at following his high school graduation in 2021.
Stroman currently has 11 offers from schools up and down the east coast, all of which are Division I programs and carry a full athletic scholarship.
He took to Twitter to announce his top five are Appalachian State University, Coastal Carolina University, Duke University, Liberty University and Wake Forest University.
Other collegiate programs to come forward and offer the Richmond Raider a spot on their team were the University of Akron, Boston College, UNC-Charlotte, Old Dominion University, the University of Richmond and the University of Toledo.
“It really hasn’t been too difficult of a decision to narrow down my list,” Stroman said. “These five teams are the ones who have been recruiting me the most. They’re showing me the most love and the most interest, and that has an impact on my decision.
“Each of them are checking in with me every couple of days, which is nice to know,” he added.
Duke and App State were the first two programs to offer Stroman, respectively, extending their invites on Aug. 23 and Aug. 31 of last year.
Stroman is just one member of the star-studded rising senior class at Richmond, which features quarterback Caleb Hood (UNC commit) and wide receiver Jakolbe Baldwin (N.C. State commit).
Offensive lineman Jaleel Davis is also fielding Division I offers from programs like Kansas, Maryland, N.C. State, South Carolina and Tennessee. Linebacker CJ Tillman, who was named all-state last year, is starting to pick up several offers, too.
“It has been absolutely incredible to have so many offers to play at the collegiate level,” Stroman explained. “It’s been fun to have such a big recruiting process.
“When I’m considering where I want to play, I look at being close to home, getting a good education, and being part of a great football team with great coaches that can help me be the best player I can be.”
Regardless of where he goes, Stroman said he will pursue a degree in computer science.
During a time when Stroman and the rest of the Raiders would be close to wrapping up spring practices, the team hasn’t been able to get together because of the current NCHSAA dead period.
Despite not being able to go to school and workout with the team on a regular basis, Stroman is staying in shape by running several miles a day and working on footwork, breakdown and release drills at home. He’s also teamed up with Hood to work on route running and catching.
Hoping that Gov. Cooper and the NCHSAA allow sports to resume a normal schedule soon, Stroman is gearing up for what will be his final season with the Raiders.
As a junior, he caught 31 passes for team-highs in receiving yards (716) and touchdowns catches (9). He was also named to his first All-Sandhills Athletic Conference team last season.
Knowing he’s already got 11 offers, and potentially more coming his way this fall, Stroman is all gas and no brakes.
“Having these schools looking at me motivates me to play really well,” he closed. “Eyes are on me all the time and that makes me want to play my best game every game. I also want to be the best player I can be on and off the field.”
Stroman said he plans to make a final decision and verbally commit “sometime before the start” of his senior season.
