PREP FOOTBALL: Josh Hess of Richlands headed to Richmond

For the past four years, Josh Hess has manhandled defensive linemen and linebackers.

Wednesday night, the 6-foot-7, 285-pound Richlands senior shed another large burden.

At 11:58 p.m., Hess finally signed his letter of commitment to play football at the University of Richmond.

“It was a big relief to get my decision out of the way,” Hess said. “Now I can concentrate on graduating while getting bigger, stronger and faster for college.”

Two minutes after signing his scholarship papers, Hess faxed the documents to the Richmond athletics office.

“I was very excited but I finally went to bed around 1:30,” Hess said.

Around 7:30 Thursday morning, Hess received a phone call from the Richmond football coaches.

“They were yelling and screaming over the phone,” Hess said. “It was a good feeling. I’m glad to have it all over with.”

Hess, who plans an official signing ceremony at some point next week, said he has been bombarded by the same question since wavering on his early verbal commitment to Florida International University in Miami.

“Everybody wanted to know where I was going,” Hess said. “I got asked on Facebook and Twitter; I got text messages and phone calls, and I got asked by people at the store. Now, I can finally give them an honest answer.”

Hess said a big factor in his decision was the charisma of Richmond head coach Danny Rocco, who was tabbed as the head coach of the Spiders on Dec. 6.

Richmond finished the 2011 season with 3-8 overall record and 0-8 mark in the FCS Colonial Athletic Association. The Spiders won the 2008 FCS national championship behind current University of Virginia head coach Mike London.

Rocco, who took over from interim head coach Wayne Lineburg of Radford, earned national praise for his six-year rebuilding project at Liberty University where he led the once downtrodden Flames to four straight Big South Conference titles and a 47-20 overall record.

Mark Lineburg, Wayne’s brother, is the superintendent of schools in Bristol, Va.

“Coach Rocco recruited me when he was at Liberty, and he’s just a really good guy and coach who turned that program around,” Hess said.

Hess made an unofficial visit to the Richmond campus last year, and then made his official visit last weekend.

“I fell in love with the campus,” Hess said. “And Coach Rocco has been down to Richlands the past two weeks to see me.”

Former Richlands receiver Rob Stanton attended Richmond for a year before transferring to Virginia Tech where he made an impact on the special teams.

“I’ve seen highlights of Richmond games, and a bunch of my friends wanted me to go there,” Hess said. “I feel like I made a great decision, and so many people have helped make this all possible.”

Hess was among the large crowd in the Richlands library Wednesday morning when Blue Tornado running back signed to play at Marshall University.

“I thought about my decision all day Wednesday. Watching Devon added to my thought process,” Hess said.

Hess also watched parts of the non-stop national signing day coverage on ESPNU and he saw some familiar faces.

“It was cool to see guys I went to camp with or played against, like Korren Kirven of Brookville, announce their college choice,” Hess said. “Seeing that type of excitement is what college football is about.”

Hess will now shift his focus to immersing him in the Richmond playbook and training program. Hess said he has not had a soft drink since he was 8 years old and had not eaten bread in three weeks.

“I’m trying to cut back on fat and put on muscle,” said Hess, who weighed over 300 pounds during football season. “The offensive line coach at Richmond said one freshman lineman will have to play next year but I’m good with redshirting if that’s what they want.”

Hess is eager to resume the life of a semi-normal high school student

“It’s been an ongoing process with recruiting, but I like everything Richmond has to offer,” Hess said.

agregory@bristolnews.com | Twitter: @Greg_BHCSports | (276) 645-2544