Prep's Bullock commits to Virginia Tech

St. Peter's Prep quarterback Tahjamell Bullock in action last season at Caven Point Cochrane Stadium

A little more than three years ago, when Tahjamell Bullock was thinking about the high school that he wanted to attend and play football at, he didn’t hesitate in choosing St. Peter’s Prep.

After all, Prep had sent players like Brandon Wimbush (Notre Dame), Johnathan Lewis (Rutgers) and Maasai Maynor (Navy) to major college football. Even as an eighth grader, Bullock had Prep’s strong quarterback history planted firmly in his mind.

“I knew that Prep had a lineage of great quarterbacks,” Bullock said. “In my mind, I knew then that I wanted to get the chance to play big-time college football. The goal was always to go (NCAA) Division 1 on a scholarship.”

After a brilliant junior year for the Marauders, throwing for 2,260 yards and 28 touchdowns to just seven interceptions, while rushing for an additional 461 yards and scored five TDs on his own, Bullock collected his fair share of big-time college scholarship offers.

It didn’t hurt that Bullock led the Marauders to an 11-1 record and the NJSIAA Non-Public Group 4 state championship and the No. 1-ranking overall in the state of New Jersey.

So as the recruitment of Bullock continued throughout the winter and spring – and even through the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic shut down everything else in the sports world – it did not deter the colleges from pursuing Bullock.

Bullock narrowed down his choices to three – Rutgers, UCLA and Virginia Tech.

In the end, the 6-foot-3, 215-pound Bullock decided to go to the school that best fit his football and academic needs. On Wednesday, Bullock gave a verbal commitment to Virginia Tech and will sign a national letter of intent to attend the Blacksburg, Va. school when the first signing period begins in December.

Bullock said that he was a tough decision, but said that Virginia Tech won out for a handful of reasons.

“I always felt like I had built a good relationship with the coaching staff,” Bullock said. “I had a good visit with Coach (Justin) Fuente and his staff when I visited Blacksburg. I had a good tour of the campus. I enjoyed my visit there and met some of the players. Academically, it’s the best fit for me.”

Bullock plans on majoring in architectural and constructional engineering.

From a football standpoint, the Hokies’ offensive scheme is one that totally fits Bullock’s playing style of passing, running and creating plays that might have broken down in coverage with his fleet feet.

It was his running ability that helped the Marauders come from behind to defeat St. Augustine Prep in the sectional semifinals, scoring two touchdowns in the final three minutes to win 35-28 (a game where Bullock threw four TD passes and scored the last one with only seconds remaining) and to win 21-14 against Don Bosco Prep in the state championship game at MetLife Stadium last December. Bullock scored the game-winning touchdown in the state title game as well, a 5-yard scamper in the closing minutes.

The Virginia Tech run-pass option offense is one that sent former Hokie signal callers like Tyrod Taylor, Sean Glennon, Logan Thomas and of course Michael Vick to the National Football League after their playing days in Blacksburg were done.

“They do go for quarterbacks that are dual threats,” Bullock said. “They’re going to know how to utilize my talents.”

Now that the recruitment is over, Bullock can focus on the matters at hand, namely trying to be the first Prep team to ever repeat as state champions. With a plethora of talented players returning, the Marauders should be a strong favorite to be among the state’s best teams again in 2020 – provided that there is a football season come fall.

“No doubt, it was our goal last year and we got it done,” Bullock said. “It’s going to be the goal again this year. We all want to win again. I want to have fun with my guys.”

Bullock was asked if he will be the focus of all the opposition come September.

“I guess you can say I’ll have the bulls’ eye on me,” Bullock said. “I think everyone wants to win a championship We all embraced it last year and we all want to focus on it again for this upcoming season. We have a great group coming back. We can’t be phased about what people are saying about us.”

St. Peter’s Prep head coach Rich Hansen believes that Bullock made a wise decision.

“I think it’s a great fit for Tahj,” Hansen said. “They’ve been with him the whole time. The offense s very similar and academically it’s a top school. The proximity of the school to his home so his parents and family can come to see him play meant a lot. I think it’s what Tahj deserves. It’s the whole package for him at Virginia Tech. You couldn’t ask for a better fit for him.”

Hansen just loves what Bullock brings to the table.

“He’s an outstanding leader,” Hansen said. “He’s a very humble kid. He exemplifies what we try to have in our program. He now has his dreams set, his goals set. He’s just a tremendous kid. He’s what every kid should aspire to be in all ways, on and off the field.”

Bullock is ready for his next challenge.

“My recruitment was a blessing,” Bullock said. “I was blessed to be in contact with all those schools and to narrow it down to three good schools. I have a good relationship with (Rutgers head) Coach (Greg) Schiano. Coach (Chip) Kelly at UCLA contacted me all the time. But now that it’s Virginia Tech, I have that weight off my shoulders. I can concentrate on football, go out and have some fun with my teammates. I made the decision that was the best for me. I had to think about the life after football aspect.”

When the idea of the NFL was floated out to Bullock, he stopped the reporter in his tracks.

“Now, let’s not get too crazy here,” Bullock said. “I’m just going to take this one day at a time.”

For now, Bullock is headed to Blacksburg. What happens after that remains to be seen.