Recruiting Updates Continued
Recruiting update archives at links on right.
26 Recruits Sign Letter of Intents with UVa
By Michael Ingalls, February 6, 2002, 4:30 p.m.
Virginia Football received all letters of intent from their 26 committed recruits today. For information on the signees, please see the football recruiting commitments page. Stay tuned for a report and comments from Coach Al Groh in tomorrow's SabreMail.
Brett Tobin Commits to Virginia
By Michael Ingalls, February 5, 2002, 3:30 p.m.
Virginia received a commitment this morning from Brett Tobin, a 6-5, 275-pound offensive lineman from Pulaski High School in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
Tobin is a big, physical lineman and is rated two stars by Rivals100.com. Virginia has 26 commitments thus far and five in the last 24 hours.
Marcus Vick Chooses Virginia Tech
By Michael Ingalls, February 5, 2002, 3:25 p.m.
Virginia Tech received a commitment from Warwick High School quarterback Marcus Vick today. Vick is ranked as one of the top ten quarterbacks nationally by Rivals100.com and Tom Lemmings. Vick chose Virginia Tech over Virginia and Tennessee.
Wali Lundy Commits to Virginia
By Michael Ingalls, February 5, 2002, 10:45 a.m.
Mike Farrell from AERecruiting on Rivals100.com is reporting that Wali Lundy has committed to Virginia. Lundy is a 6-0, 195-pound running back/wide receiver from Holy Cross H.S. in Willingboro, New Jersey. He chose Virginia over Boston College, North Carolina and Rutgers.
Lundy is rated four stars and is ranked 14th nationally at his position. Lundy is the 26th commitment for the Cavaliers, and the fourth commitment in two days. Yesterday, the Hoos received commitments from three of the nation's best players, Ahmad Brooks, Kai Parham and Michael Johnson, Jr.
Virginia Tech and Virginia are waiting on Marcus Vick to decide on his destination this afternoon. Vick was rumored to be heading to Virginia Tech, but rumors popped up on the Internet last night that he contacted the Hokie coaches and told them he was headed to UVa. At the moment, these reports are unsubstantiated, and most will have to wait until after 3:00 PM today to know the truth.
Michael Johnson, Jr. Commits to Virginia
By Michael Ingalls, February 4, 2002, 5:10 p.m.
Michael Johnson, Jr. (5-10, 190), one of the top all-purpose running backs in the nation, has committed to the University of Virginia. Johnson is the third five star recruit to commit to the Cavaliers today. Top linebackers Ahmad Brooks and Kai Parham were the others.
Johnson is rated is ranked 2nd nationally by Rivals100.com as an all-purpose runner. Johnson brings speed to his game, and a lot of it. At UVa's summer football camp, Johnson was clocked at 4.24 and 4.27 in the forty yard dash. Johnson says he's a consistent 4.3 flat runner.
Johnson racked up 4,310 rushing yards in three years and scored 95 touchdowns for Coach Reggie Garrett at Heritage HS in Newport News. Johnson has scholarship offers from over 30 schools before entering the 12th grade. He chose Virginia over Michigan State and Miami.
Brooks and Parham Commit to Virginia
By Michael Ingalls, February 4, 2002, 3:45 p.m.
Ahmad Brooks and Kai Parham, the top two players in the state of Virginia, and two of the best linebackers in the nation, verbally committed to the University of Virginia today. Brooks committed at a press conference at his high school and Parham chose to announce his decision during a live chat with Tom Lemming on ESPN.com.
Brooks (6-4, 230 C.D. Hylton HS, Woodbridge) chose the Cavaliers over Tennessee, Florida State and Virginia Tech. Many assumed that he was Tennessee-bound when he made several positive comments about the Volunteers shortly after his official visit. Brooks had said that he was leaning to Tennessee as recently as last week, but the flood of recent Virginia commitments must have convinced him that UVa was getting a tremendous class and that he and the other recruits could make a positive impact immediately.
Brooks is rated the number one linebacker nationally by Rivals100.com and has a five star rating. Brooks was named first-team All-State in Virginia this season at linebacker and second-team All-State at running back. Brooks' speed and strength are comparable to that of ex-Virginia linebacker Jamie Sharper, who currently plays for the Baltimore Ravens.
Parham (6-4, 235 Princess Anne HS, Virginia Beach), Virginia's Gatorade Player of the Year, is a versitile defensive player. Rivals100 has him listed as the number one weakside defensive end, although he is projected to be a linebacker in college. Parham has a five star rating and was one of the most sought-after recruits nationally as well. Kai chose UVa over Tennessee, and had some interest in Florida earlier in the recruiting process. Distance and good academics were the main concerns for Parham, although he had said on occasion that being part of a winning program was essential. With the recruiting class that Virginia is bringing in this year, winning shouldn't be a problem over the next few years.
Brooks and Parham had discussed on many occasions the possibility of attending the same school. They met at Tom Lemmings photo shoot in Charlottesville last summer, along with several of the state's top players. They made several unofficial visits to UVa and spent time with the UVa staff watching film and discussing defensive philosophy and how they'd fit into the system. The weekend of January 18th, Brooks and Parham joined an amazing group of athletes on their official visit to UVa. Along with them, Marcus Vick, Michael Johnson, Jr. and Marcus Hamilton were just a few of the other top recruits visiting. That being said, it should be no surprise that Brooks and Parham committed to Virginia on the same day, and at the same time, 3:00 PM.
Commitments from these players could influence another top recruit's decision, Marcus Vick. Vick is holding off until tomorrow at 3:00 PM to make his announcement, and although many expect him to commit to Virginia Tech, the recent commitments to UVa, and the ground that the staff has made over the last few weeks, might be enough to convince Vick to join the Cavaliers and make it the number one ranked recruiting class in the country. Vick's good friend, Michael Johnson, Jr., is expected to announce his decision in a press conference at his school in Newport News at 5:00 PM today. Many believe that Johnson will select Virginia over Michigan State, giving Virginia commitments from four of the top six players in the state.
Information was accidentally deleted between August 2001 and January 2002. This information will be returned at a later date.
Jonathan Lewis narrows his choices
By Michael Ingalls, July 31, 2001, 3:55 p.m.
Jonathan Lewis, a 6-2, 290-pound defensive tackle from Varina H.S. in Richmond has narrowed his choices. His top two schools are Virginia and Virginia Tech. Lewis is considered the top defensive linemen in the state. He camped at Virginia this past summer.
Jonathan Lewis Recruiting Card
Braden Campbell Commits to Virginia
July 15, 2001
Braden Campbell, a 6-4, 260-pound defensive linemen from Slippery Rock, PA has verbally committed to the University of Virginia. This is UVa's seventh commitment for this recruiting class.
Kenneth Tynes Commits to Virginia
July 12, 2001
Kenneth Tynes, a 6-0, 180-pound defensive back from Centreville H.S. Clifton, VA has verbally committed to the University of Virginia. This is UVa's sixth commitment for this recruiting class.
Tynes wowed the Virginia staff at the UVa summer football camp as a defensive back, and Virginia offered him a scholarship shortly after.
Top In-state punter commits to UVa
July 7, 2001
Tom Hagan, a 6-2, 170-pound punter from Cave Spring, H.S. in Roanoke, VA has verbally committed to the University of Virginia. This is UVa's fifth commitment for this recruiting class.
Hagans is considered one of the top punters in the nation, and the best in the state of Virginia. Hagan chose Virginia over Michigan, UNC, Maryland, Wake Forest, Ohio State, Michigan, Duke and GT.
Hagan is also a baseball player and chose Virginia with the intent on playing for both the football and baseball programs.
Hagan is an excellent student with a 4.1 GPA and a 1,200 on his SAT.
North Carolina safety Willie Davis commits to UVa
June 19, 2001
Willie Davis, a 6-2, 190-pound safety, has committed to the Cavaliers. Davis plays for Laney High School in Wilmington, North Carolina, and is considered one of the top players in the state. Davis chose Virginia after making two unofficial visits to Charlottesville.
"I came up there for junior prospect day this past weekend," Davis said. "I also went up there for Tom Lemming Day in April."
Davis chose Virginia over a host of top schools.
"The two schools I was interested in were Virginia and Clemson, but Penn State, Wake Forest, Florida, NC State, South Carolina and others were interested."
Davis says he plays many positions, but will likely play safety at Virginia.
"Right now, I play running back, safety, wide receiver, tight end - I just do what I can to help the team," Davis said. "[At Virginia], I'm going to try and stick with free safety, but I'll play wherever they want me - wherever I can help the team. I'm good on offense too, so if they need me there, I'll help them with that too.
"I like the coaches [at Virginia]. They're like an extended family - that's how they made me feel," Davis said. "The reason for the early commitment was so that I can focus on my academics and focus on the upcoming football season. Virginia's a good academic school. This is a very solid commitment."
Davis was recently clocked at 4.38 in the forty, and rushed for 900 yards while sharing time at tailback last season. He also scored two touchdowns off kickoff returns, and caught 5 touchdown passes.
"He's one of the hardest hitters I've ever coached," Laney Coach Gordon Walters said. "Willie's a great young man. Coach Prince did a great job recruiting him. I was very impressed with the staff at the University of Virginia, as Willie was and his mother was. I'm happy for Willie made his decision, and it certainly sounds like a firm commitment. I'm just tickled to death for him."
Davis is the fourth commitment for the Cavaliers for this recruiting class. He joins Damian Spradlin, Keenan Carter and Tony Franklin.
Ohio back Tony Franklin commits to the Hoos
June 19, 2001
Tony Franklin, a 5-11, 175-pound running back from Bedford, OH committed to the Cavaliers on Sunday. Franklin is one of the top running back recruits in the state of Ohio.
This makes the third commitment for the Cavaliers this season. He joins Liberty (Bedford) offensive lineman Damian Spradlin and Potomac defensive tackle Keenan Carter.
Brandon Gore receives scholarship offer from UVa
June 8, 2001
Brandon Gore |
Brandon Gore received another scholarship offer on Thursday, this one from the University of Virginia. This makes 12 full-ride scholarships for Gore in less than a month.
Gore, a 6-6, 315-pound offensive linemen from Liberty H.S. in Bealeton, received the offer from Virginia when he and his family made an unofficial visit to UVa on Thursday.
"The visit went great," said Gore. "The information provided by Coach Musgrave and
Coach Groh was excellent. I was a little uncertain whether or not I got an
offer, but after speaking with coach this morning it is clear to me that I
indeed have another offer to consider."
Indeed he does. Gore has already received offers from Virginia, Florida State, Florida, Georgia, NC State, North Carolina, West Virginia, Virginia Tech, Tennessee, Michigan, Maryland and Richmond. Coaches from Notre Dame and Ohio State have also met with him and are expected to offer.
According to Liberty High School Assistant Coach Tommy Buzzo, Gore said that he was rated very high on UVa's list of top recruiting targets.
Buzzo also said that only two offensive linemen have received scholarship offers from Virginia thus far, Damian Spradlin (who has already committed to the Cavaliers) and Brandon Gore.
Brandon Gore Recruiting Card
More Updates
