The WAR ROOM is back and this edition is full of football and basketball recruiting scoop! Another spring football weekend means more visitors for the Hoos. We'll tell you who is expected and who might be next to join the movement. We'll also move over to basketball recruiting ahead of the live period this weekend and fill you in on what to expect as well as break down one intriguing recruitment that could be bringing an official visitor to Charlottesville soon.
As always, what's said in the War Room, stays in the War Room. Let's go!
More visitors expected this weekend
With legacy recruit Joey Blount now in the fold, the Wahoos have pulled in commitments in consecutive weekends and given some of those expected in Charlottesville tomorrow, that streak may well continue.
Bronco Mendenhall and his staff are in the midst of hosting a coaching clinic for high school coaches in the region that began yesterday and runs through tomorrow but it won't keep them from holding practice or having recruits on Grounds.
Though we aren't saying any of these three are likely to pull the trigger while on their visits, the Cavaliers are expecting recent offeree Zeke Brandle, the 6-foot-5, 250-pound defensive end from Forest City (NC) Chase as well as Garner (NC) running back Collin Eaddy and Smithfield wideout/linebacker Chris Pierce. Brandle told us earlier this week that he was hoping to visit other schools, so perhaps he's less likely to commit but then again, visits have a way of making things happen. We wouldn't be shocked if Eaddy or Pierce decided to join the fold even though we aren't expecting it.
One player who has not been offered yet but could be in line is Trajan Anderson, an intriguing linebacker prospect from Massaponax. This will be his second trip to Charlottesville this spring and according to sources, he really likes what Mendenall and Co. are doing. Word is the Hoos think highly of him, though no offer has come yet, and he'll be able to sit in on a position meeting.
Lastly, keep an eye on three-star Belfry (KY) offensive lineman Cole Bentley. Though UVa hasn't offered yet, the 6-foot-4, 286-pound guard seems to fit the mold of guys the Cavaliers have been looking at this spring and we've seen how aggressive they've been in the trenches.
New offers out
As has been the standard for some time now it seems, UVa tossed out a couple of new offers this past week. One of them went to three-star wide receiver Michael Young, a 5-foot-11, 175-pound playmaker from Destrehan (LA). He's already got a pretty nice offer list and it's easy to see why.
The Cavaliers also extended an offer in 2018 to a very good offensive line prospect, as four-star Santa Ana (CA) Mater Dei tackle Tommy Brown added an offer from Virginia. The 6-foot-7, 315 pounder is going to be a pretty sought-after recruit in the next class.
Plan for the live period this weekend
As we transition to the hardwood, we'll start with what we promised last week in this space: A breakdown of the plan for this weekend's live period.
For UVa, Brad Soderberg will be in Texas watching the adidas kids and he'll be the lone member of the staff who doesn't spend time in and around New York City. There, Nike and Under Armour will each be holding events that will include most of the players that the Cavaliers are serious about in 2017 and 2018.
While Jason Williford will begin his weekend watching the 16U EYBL games on Friday in NY, he'll spend Saturday and Sunday bouncing between UA and Nike. Head coach Tony Bennett, according to our sources, will also be in New York all weekend bouncing between events.
Associate head coach Ron Sanchez will join Bennett and Williford on Saturday and Sunday but first, he'll be in the state of Washington....
Kispert situation is intriguing but fluid
Contrary to some reports we've heard about, Virginia's offer to four-star 2017 wing Corey Disport could be legit. And as of late this week, our sources were pretty confident (absent an absolutely abysmal performance on Friday night with Sanchez watching) that the visit, planned for next Wednesday and Thursday, will happen.
And here's the intrigue: Sources say UVa has continued to evaluate its 2017 needs and realistically, the "need" for a point guard might not be quite as clear as it was before Ty Jerome's hip surgeries (he's feeling much better now and the thinking is he's on schedule to be back soon) and the way Darius Thompson played against Iowa State. So, with that frame in mind, look for the staff to go with finding a good fit regardless of position.
That's really why Kispert, a 6-foot-6, 190-pound wing who can really shoot it well, comes into play. Take away for a second that he'll be coming to Charlottesville straight from an official visit to Notre Dame. This is a kid who plays for the Friends of Hoop, the same AAU program that produced one Joe Harris. And that comparison holds, per sources, both in terms of location but also in that the Harris family and the Kispert family are close. And that's why Virginia is even more intrigued: Kispert is "about the right stuff," as one source told us this week.
The tricky part, at least for UVa, is that not only has Bennett not seen him live but that Kispert's high school team plays zone on defense. And that means Virginia's coaches have yet to get a good read on his defensive ability, if he can move his feet, and how he'd fit in with what they do. Offensively, his game is solid. He's a shooter with length who moves well and brings a complete skillset. But defensively, the question mark the Hoos have right now is at least moderately significant.
At this point, it's likely that he takes the visit unless, as we said, Sanchez just doesn't see a fit. And as Bennett often does, if the fit is right he's not going to wait around. He has always taken players who he thinks fits regardless of numbers, rankings, or where things stand with other recruits.
Who's on the list to watch?
When Soderberg is in Texas this weekend, he'll be watching three key recruits: Three-star Raleigh (NC) Ravenscroft guard Mike Okauru from the 2017 class, and 2018 four-star Concord (NC) Cannon School wing Jairus Hamilton and 6-foot-7 fellow four-star small forward Nate Laszewski.
In NY, the Hoos will be focused on a pair of 2017 guards in four-star Norfolk native Matt Coleman and four-star South Kent (CT) standout Tremont Waters. In talking to sources, it's clear that UVa would be very happy with either of these guys. Either would be "no brainer" type of takes, per our sources, if they wanted to come. The question Virginia has had with Coleman for a while is: How realistic are their chances? The thinking is that if the Cavaliers were the likely pick, he'd already be in the fold. He's certainly been a priority recruit for a long, long time. But make no mistake: Bennett is very high on Waters and if the Cavaliers were able to nab him, there would be a lot of excitement from the staff.
In addition to those two guys taking part in the EYBL, UVa will also obviously be watching five-star forward Michael Porter, the No. 2 overall player in the Rivals150 for 2017. Needless to say, if he wants to come and UVa has a spot for him, it's a done deal. But in talking to sources, the Wahoos aren't feeling quite as optimistic about staying in this fight long term.
Lastly on the 2017 kids, sources say UVa continues to monitor three-star guard Alex Barcello but that his stock has dipped. It's not at the point where we can say that Virginia has moved on but it certainly doesn't seem like he's a priority any longer. Then again, a good game or two with coaches in the house might change that.
Now, in terms of 2018s, this might be where UVa's real focus is and considering that they have five spots to fill in that class, it's easy to understand why that would be the case. In NYC this weekend, Bennett and Co. will be keeping a close eye on Coleman's Boo Williams Summer League teammate and five-star guard Keldon Johnson as he continues to work his way back from a broken ankle.
Three other names to watch in EYBL action: Four-star Paul VI guard Brandon Slater, four-star Nashville native Darius Garland, who in an interesting twist will be playing with the St. Louis Eagles this spring/summer, and five-star Westtown (PA) forward Cameron Reddish. It's also worth mentioning that UVa will also be tracking four-star shooting guard Tim Finke, a 6-foot-6 prospect from Champaign (IL) Central.
Lastly, at UA's event, UVa will also be watching four-star Gonzaga shooting guard Prentiss Hubb, who has an offer from the Cavaliers and could be a big piece of the puzzle for them moving forward depending on how things stack up for him in terms of his interest in Maryland and Georgetown.
That is it for this week, and as always, what's said here, stays here!
As always, what's said in the War Room, stays in the War Room. Let's go!
More visitors expected this weekend
With legacy recruit Joey Blount now in the fold, the Wahoos have pulled in commitments in consecutive weekends and given some of those expected in Charlottesville tomorrow, that streak may well continue.
Bronco Mendenhall and his staff are in the midst of hosting a coaching clinic for high school coaches in the region that began yesterday and runs through tomorrow but it won't keep them from holding practice or having recruits on Grounds.
Though we aren't saying any of these three are likely to pull the trigger while on their visits, the Cavaliers are expecting recent offeree Zeke Brandle, the 6-foot-5, 250-pound defensive end from Forest City (NC) Chase as well as Garner (NC) running back Collin Eaddy and Smithfield wideout/linebacker Chris Pierce. Brandle told us earlier this week that he was hoping to visit other schools, so perhaps he's less likely to commit but then again, visits have a way of making things happen. We wouldn't be shocked if Eaddy or Pierce decided to join the fold even though we aren't expecting it.
One player who has not been offered yet but could be in line is Trajan Anderson, an intriguing linebacker prospect from Massaponax. This will be his second trip to Charlottesville this spring and according to sources, he really likes what Mendenall and Co. are doing. Word is the Hoos think highly of him, though no offer has come yet, and he'll be able to sit in on a position meeting.
Lastly, keep an eye on three-star Belfry (KY) offensive lineman Cole Bentley. Though UVa hasn't offered yet, the 6-foot-4, 286-pound guard seems to fit the mold of guys the Cavaliers have been looking at this spring and we've seen how aggressive they've been in the trenches.
New offers out
As has been the standard for some time now it seems, UVa tossed out a couple of new offers this past week. One of them went to three-star wide receiver Michael Young, a 5-foot-11, 175-pound playmaker from Destrehan (LA). He's already got a pretty nice offer list and it's easy to see why.
The Cavaliers also extended an offer in 2018 to a very good offensive line prospect, as four-star Santa Ana (CA) Mater Dei tackle Tommy Brown added an offer from Virginia. The 6-foot-7, 315 pounder is going to be a pretty sought-after recruit in the next class.
Plan for the live period this weekend
As we transition to the hardwood, we'll start with what we promised last week in this space: A breakdown of the plan for this weekend's live period.
For UVa, Brad Soderberg will be in Texas watching the adidas kids and he'll be the lone member of the staff who doesn't spend time in and around New York City. There, Nike and Under Armour will each be holding events that will include most of the players that the Cavaliers are serious about in 2017 and 2018.
While Jason Williford will begin his weekend watching the 16U EYBL games on Friday in NY, he'll spend Saturday and Sunday bouncing between UA and Nike. Head coach Tony Bennett, according to our sources, will also be in New York all weekend bouncing between events.
Associate head coach Ron Sanchez will join Bennett and Williford on Saturday and Sunday but first, he'll be in the state of Washington....
Kispert situation is intriguing but fluid
Contrary to some reports we've heard about, Virginia's offer to four-star 2017 wing Corey Disport could be legit. And as of late this week, our sources were pretty confident (absent an absolutely abysmal performance on Friday night with Sanchez watching) that the visit, planned for next Wednesday and Thursday, will happen.
And here's the intrigue: Sources say UVa has continued to evaluate its 2017 needs and realistically, the "need" for a point guard might not be quite as clear as it was before Ty Jerome's hip surgeries (he's feeling much better now and the thinking is he's on schedule to be back soon) and the way Darius Thompson played against Iowa State. So, with that frame in mind, look for the staff to go with finding a good fit regardless of position.
That's really why Kispert, a 6-foot-6, 190-pound wing who can really shoot it well, comes into play. Take away for a second that he'll be coming to Charlottesville straight from an official visit to Notre Dame. This is a kid who plays for the Friends of Hoop, the same AAU program that produced one Joe Harris. And that comparison holds, per sources, both in terms of location but also in that the Harris family and the Kispert family are close. And that's why Virginia is even more intrigued: Kispert is "about the right stuff," as one source told us this week.
The tricky part, at least for UVa, is that not only has Bennett not seen him live but that Kispert's high school team plays zone on defense. And that means Virginia's coaches have yet to get a good read on his defensive ability, if he can move his feet, and how he'd fit in with what they do. Offensively, his game is solid. He's a shooter with length who moves well and brings a complete skillset. But defensively, the question mark the Hoos have right now is at least moderately significant.
At this point, it's likely that he takes the visit unless, as we said, Sanchez just doesn't see a fit. And as Bennett often does, if the fit is right he's not going to wait around. He has always taken players who he thinks fits regardless of numbers, rankings, or where things stand with other recruits.
Who's on the list to watch?
When Soderberg is in Texas this weekend, he'll be watching three key recruits: Three-star Raleigh (NC) Ravenscroft guard Mike Okauru from the 2017 class, and 2018 four-star Concord (NC) Cannon School wing Jairus Hamilton and 6-foot-7 fellow four-star small forward Nate Laszewski.
In NY, the Hoos will be focused on a pair of 2017 guards in four-star Norfolk native Matt Coleman and four-star South Kent (CT) standout Tremont Waters. In talking to sources, it's clear that UVa would be very happy with either of these guys. Either would be "no brainer" type of takes, per our sources, if they wanted to come. The question Virginia has had with Coleman for a while is: How realistic are their chances? The thinking is that if the Cavaliers were the likely pick, he'd already be in the fold. He's certainly been a priority recruit for a long, long time. But make no mistake: Bennett is very high on Waters and if the Cavaliers were able to nab him, there would be a lot of excitement from the staff.
In addition to those two guys taking part in the EYBL, UVa will also obviously be watching five-star forward Michael Porter, the No. 2 overall player in the Rivals150 for 2017. Needless to say, if he wants to come and UVa has a spot for him, it's a done deal. But in talking to sources, the Wahoos aren't feeling quite as optimistic about staying in this fight long term.
Lastly on the 2017 kids, sources say UVa continues to monitor three-star guard Alex Barcello but that his stock has dipped. It's not at the point where we can say that Virginia has moved on but it certainly doesn't seem like he's a priority any longer. Then again, a good game or two with coaches in the house might change that.
Now, in terms of 2018s, this might be where UVa's real focus is and considering that they have five spots to fill in that class, it's easy to understand why that would be the case. In NYC this weekend, Bennett and Co. will be keeping a close eye on Coleman's Boo Williams Summer League teammate and five-star guard Keldon Johnson as he continues to work his way back from a broken ankle.
Three other names to watch in EYBL action: Four-star Paul VI guard Brandon Slater, four-star Nashville native Darius Garland, who in an interesting twist will be playing with the St. Louis Eagles this spring/summer, and five-star Westtown (PA) forward Cameron Reddish. It's also worth mentioning that UVa will also be tracking four-star shooting guard Tim Finke, a 6-foot-6 prospect from Champaign (IL) Central.
Lastly, at UA's event, UVa will also be watching four-star Gonzaga shooting guard Prentiss Hubb, who has an offer from the Cavaliers and could be a big piece of the puzzle for them moving forward depending on how things stack up for him in terms of his interest in Maryland and Georgetown.
That is it for this week, and as always, what's said here, stays here!
