The Thomas Johnson senior has committed to play football at NCAA Division I Wake Forest University, headed there on a full athletic scholarship, but he won't join the team for at least another year.

Chase, a 6-foot-6 260-pound two-way end for the Patriots, said he will be what is termed a grey-shirt. "I won't be going to the campus until next January," he said.

In the meantime, Chase said he will begin his training next fall. He also said it's possible the Demon Deacons could still red-shirt him, but the grey-shirt status means he retains four full years of eligibility if that happens.

Chase explained the grey-shirt status is used in case an athlete was to attend a prep school between high school and college without affecting eligiblity. "But I won't be attending prep school," he said.

The plan Chase has is to bulk up in preparation for joining the college football ranks. "I'm still young, compared to some of those guys at Wake Forest," Chase, 17, said, adding some members of the team can be as old as 23.

Chase said he had looked at such schools as Rutgers, Vanderbilt, Penn State, Dartmouth and Brown. But he chose Wake Forest because he wanted to attend a school in the south, where the weather was warmer. "I wanted to get out of the cold," he said.

The idea of playing for a school in the ACC excites Chase. "I like ACC football a lot," he said. "I think it's also an underrated conference. They are two years removed from winning the ACC title and playing in a BCS Bowl Game."

"Now they are playing on national TV a lot," Chase said.

While Chase was a two-way end at TJ, he said he doesn't think that will be his position at Wake because he is too big for the position. He said he is thinking more on the lines of defensive back.

The campus and coaching staff at Wake Forest are other reasons while Chase chose the Deacons.

"I was looking for education value over football," Chase said. "I am going to get a good education at Wake Forest. The football program is very good too. They play in the ACC and have won 20 games in the last two years. That says a lot."

Greg Swatek contributed to this article.

Post your comments » Round 2: Snow expected to fall today, Wednesday Fast on the heels of the largest 24-hour snowfall to hit the Frederick County since 1983, meteorologists are predicting another round of heavy snow and wind to hit today. The National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning Monday afternoon for the area, including Frederick County, and said 10 to 20 inches of snow is possible by Wednesday night. Weather-related closings, delays A list follows of weather-related closings and cancellations for this week. Fire and police blotter Police search for robber School closures cause makeup schedule revision Even though Frederick County Public Schools are closed today -- using the sixth snow day this school year -- the school system will not hold school on the Monday Presidents Day holiday as the first scheduled snow makeup day. Crowds pay respect to fallen marine Even U.S. Marines couldn't hold back tears Monday at the viewing of their colleague, Sgt. David Smith. The procession to the Frederick Christian Fellowship Church was led by Frederick County Sheriff's deputies. Dressed in full military regalia, Marines carried Smith's casket into the church followed by family members as more Marines stood at attention.