Lakeland High School standout DeAndre Faulk has verbally committed to Hampton University.

Suffolk will add another athlete attending an NCAA Division I school for athletics. Faulk, a Class 3 all-state linebacker, reached the decision following a recruiting process that featured interest and offers from multiple college programs.

“Everything went well,” Faulk said. “Hampton showed me a lot of love, and I feel like I would be comfortable playing there.”

While other schools had courted Faulk from the start, Hampton was one of the schools to come in later in his process and express their interest in him.

Faulk also mentioned that his mother played a big role in helping decide his future.

“She been with me from the jump, and I am glad to have her by my side while I have been on my journey,” he said.

At HU, Faulk is expected to remain at his linebacker position. He will be the second Suffolk athlete with plans to attend HU, as kicker Evan Lomax of Nansemond River High School recently signed.

Faulk has been regarded as one of the best linebackers in Hampton Roads and one of the best throughout the state on the Class 3 level. He has been named to the Class 3 all-state team twice as a junior and a senior. He was also a first-team linebacker in the Southeastern District and in Conference 27 in the years before.

In 2016, he was one of the leaders on a historic Lakeland team that reached the regional championship game. All of Faulk’s accolades made him one of the most decorated Lakeland football players.

“Man, it is indescribable to have my name as one of the best to come out of Lakeland,” Faulk said of his accomplishments. “It is just a blessing, and I could not have gotten it done without God.”

The senior Cavalier has plans to major in automotive engineering in college. HU went 6-5 this season and recently hired a new head coach, Robert Prunty, for next season.