By Bob Sutton
Special to The Alamance News
On the surface it appeared that Devin Witherspoon, who developed into a clutch performer for Cummings last year, would be a player to rally around this year.
That could come to fruition, but it’s bound to be a little more complicated.
Witherspoon has been dealing with back ailments since the spring, so that could thrust Ja’Kori McNair, who didn’t play football last year, into the starting role.
McNair, who sat out because of Alamance-Burlington School System’s transfer rules, said he’s confident he can fill the role.
McNair and Samajay Wright hold spots on the quarterback depth chart for the Cavaliers.
“I’m a passing quarterback,” McNair said. “I can run it, too, but passing is my main thing.”
Coach David Grimm said McNair might have been the starter last year if he was eligible. McNair was the 2022 junior varsity quarterback as a freshman.
But during ABSS redistricting, he was in the Graham zone. He chose to stay at Cummings, but was required to sit out a calendar year in order to be eligible for athletics.
Now a 5-foot-9, 131-pound junior, McNair said he likes the Cavaliers’ options on offense.
“We got a good run game and a good pass game,” he said.
Meanwhile, Witherspoon is uncertain about his status.
“I really don’t know. I go day-by-day,” he said. “It gets better every day. I try to take it slow.”
That will be the Cavaliers’ approach with one of their most accomplished players.
“We’re going to bring him along slowly,” Grimm said.
Witherspoon said the injury, which involved a fracture, occurred when he was at track and field practice; he was triple jumping.
“I landed the wrong way and I popped it,” he said.
Grimm said Witherspoon had been groomed as a running back until last summer, when factors dictated a position change. Johnniyus Sharpe, who had been the 2022 quarterback for Cummings, transferred to Reidsville and McNair had to sit out.
Even if healthy, Witherspoon’s spot on the field might have changed for this year.
“I can switch to running back,” he said.
