The WAR ROOM is back and this edition is full of football recruiting scoop! The Cavaliers are in the midst of camp season and with that, players are starting to earn more offers and some are making decisions. As such, the board has been losing some names of late and things are tightening up a bit even new targets emerge. So we'll go position by position and focus on the prospects that make the most sense as we identify storylines and existing needs for UVa in the class of 2018.
As always, what's said in the War Room, stays in the War Room. Let's go!
Camp season and summer visits
Over the years, regardless of coach, UVa has done most of its heavy lifting in recruiting well before the fall. That means that this timeframe, the next seven to eight weeks, is absolutely critical for Bronco Mendenhall and his staff as they continue to build out the 2018 recruiting class. At this point, the group sits at nine commitments and the likelihood, given Virginia's numbders, is that it'll grow well beyond twice that by the time this cycle ends.
UVa is holding a series of camps this month (closed to media) so new offers will undoubtedly go out and in some cases, those players will jump on them. So we thought this week we'd revisit the big board and go position by position to outline where things stand given the current numbers, needs, targets, and storylines.
Quarterback
With three-star Florida signal caller Wyatt Rector in the fold, UVa has its quarterback in the class of 2018. Word is that as he's now cleared, he's been making steady progress and showing no ill signs from last season's knee injury.
Running back
In the past, we've talked about the number of quality targets that the Cavaliers had at running back. In what will understandably be a bit of a theme this week, that group has tightened up a bit. Three-star David Bailey, thought at one point to be a potential UVa lean, is off the board to Boston College and the Hoos didn't make the cut for four-star Mychale Salahuddin. Given that former 2016 signee Wayne Taulapapa is slated to enroll with this class, the need here isn't as great but it doesn't change the fact that (for both talent acquisition and perception purposes) UVa really needs to close well on Hopewell three-star Ronnie Walker. We still feel confident in Virginia being the odds-on favorite there but that recruitment is going to take some time to play out. Also worth keeping an eye on is Nadir Thompson, the three-star back from Bailey (NC) Southern Nash who is expecting to visit this summer. Lastly, we're not entirely sure what to make of UVa's chances with Blacksburg three-star RB Coleton Beck but it'll be interesting to see how that one develops over the next month or two.
Wide receiver
In our view, three-star Hayfield standout Brian Cobbs remains one of UVa's top targets in this class and particularly at this position. With Tavares Kelly in the fold, the class isn't likely to be too deep but guys like three-star Pittsburgh WR Julian Major (who cut his list to Iowa State, Kentucky, Michigan State, UVa, and Wisconsin late last month), three-star Greensboro (NC) Dudley prospect Nigel Fitzgerald, and Florida's Blake Veargis (who put UVa in his top 10 this week) are going to be key targets to watch this summer. The skill positions also lend themselves to camp offers, so don't be surprised if someone plays their way into the mix.
Tight end
When he was a three-star prospect in the spring, it felt like UVa was in a great spot for Atlanta native John FitzPatrick, who gave us an incredible interview about his visit. But now, he's a Rivals250 four-star and the competition has gotten fierce. We still see UVa having a puncher's chance but it's a much, much bleaker outlook as far as the Cavaliers are concerned than earlier this year. At this point, our sneaky suspicion is that whomever Virginia lands in this class at tight end isn't currently on the radar and he's someone who will impress at camp, too.
Offensive line
With three additions already in this class in guards Joe Bissinger and Will Lawrence as well as tackle Bobby Haskins, there's at least two more spots left to fill and we'd expect the staff to focus on tackles with length and athleticism. It's pretty apparent from our recent conversation with him that UVa and Oscar Smith standout James Collins aren't quite on the same page these days. So who else might be in line? Devonte Gordon, Tola Banjoko, and Aidan Rafferty all make sense. It's also worth keeping an eye on Detroit (MI) three-star OT Nick Carey, Elgin (SC) native Wyatt Campbell, and Camendton (MO) standout Josh Semau, who visited last week. The early work on the O-line was imperative but the staff still needs to wrap up what looks like a solid class on the line.
Defensive end
With Chris Collins off the board to Carolina and UVa missing the cut for four-star NJ native Jayson Oweh, this remains the hardest position to forecast. There is, of course, the dream scenario where four-star Rivals250 DL and Gilman standout Thomas Booker takes that planned summer visit and ultimately decides to pick the Hoos. But we hope folks aren't expecting that. When we spoke with him recently, Emmett McNamara certainly sounded like someone we could see landing at UVa soon but camp season has a way of sometimes changing narratives. Virginia also has been in the mix with GA three-star Nick Fulwider but our gut says the Yellow Jackets likely hold on to the in-state talent. UVa is also trying to make a play in Texas, where Darren Brown recently picked up an offer. Lastly, Mohamoud Diabate out of Alabama has been on the radar for a while, so that might be one to watch too.
Defensive tackle
With Ja'Mion Franklin and Ryan Bryce off the board to Notre Dame and Army, respectively, there's been some heartburn on the message board given the need at NT, especially since Austin Smith sounds like a guy who is likely to stay in the Peach State. Despite things tightening up, it's worth noting that the early work UVa did has them in great shape with a trio of solid DTs: Cam Goode, Jayde Pierre, and Kai Golden. In addition, the Hoos recently offered Henry Chibueze as a NT as well. Overall, while it's always tough to get close but ultimately miss out, that's the nature of the beast and why the staff has spread a much wider net this year than in the previous cycle. Undoubtedly, they have to find NTs in this class.
Linebacker
With UVa having already pulled in three at this position in Noah Taylor, Javar Garrett, and Case Gatlin, the need here isn't as pressing. The guy who makes the most sense right now is Grant Misch. He, like Gatlin, could easily develop into a DE at the next level, too. We had also heard that UVa likes Donaldsville (LA) athlete Jaylin Williams at linebacker but there hasn't been too much buzz out there on where things stand with him in the last month or so.
Defensive back
UVa continues to hang in the fight with three-star Georgia cornerback Trey Morrison but that one seems to have gotten away from them for the most part. At one point it looked like UVa had a good shot with Noah Boykin and Vincent Flythe out of H.D. Woodson but those two seem to have gone quiet as far as UVa is concerned. Taylor's high school teammate at Avalon, three-star DBJermaine Waller, is probably the one corner we expect Virginia to have the best chance with right now. In addition, after talking to him recently we think UVa is in a good spot with Graham athlete Taymon Cooke, who could play on either side of the ball but initially would be slotted at corner. Another Converse (TX) Judson three-star with an offer, Chris Mills could factor in here, too. Also at corner, Covington (GA) Newton standout Elija Godwin will be one to watch as well. With Joseph White in the fold at safety, we could still see the staff going after guys like Kaleb Smith and Kohl Henke but camp season is likely to produce one or two offers to DBs a bit off the radar and safety seems like a good place for that this year.
Kicker
Finally this week, and for what we think is the first time we've added kicker to this sort of run down, it's worth noting that UVa offered South Carolina native Hunter Pearson last month. Ranked third in the nation by Kohl's Kicking, he's also been offered by Indiana and West Virginia thus far.
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!
Camp season and summer visits
Over the years, regardless of coach, UVa has done most of its heavy lifting in recruiting well before the fall. That means that this timeframe, the next seven to eight weeks, is absolutely critical for Bronco Mendenhall and his staff as they continue to build out the 2018 recruiting class. At this point, the group sits at nine commitments and the likelihood, given Virginia's numbders, is that it'll grow well beyond twice that by the time this cycle ends.
UVa is holding a series of camps this month (closed to media) so new offers will undoubtedly go out and in some cases, those players will jump on them. So we thought this week we'd revisit the big board and go position by position to outline where things stand given the current numbers, needs, targets, and storylines.
Quarterback
With three-star Florida signal caller Wyatt Rector in the fold, UVa has its quarterback in the class of 2018. Word is that as he's now cleared, he's been making steady progress and showing no ill signs from last season's knee injury.
Running back
In the past, we've talked about the number of quality targets that the Cavaliers had at running back. In what will understandably be a bit of a theme this week, that group has tightened up a bit. Three-star David Bailey, thought at one point to be a potential UVa lean, is off the board to Boston College and the Hoos didn't make the cut for four-star Mychale Salahuddin. Given that former 2016 signee Wayne Taulapapa is slated to enroll with this class, the need here isn't as great but it doesn't change the fact that (for both talent acquisition and perception purposes) UVa really needs to close well on Hopewell three-star Ronnie Walker. We still feel confident in Virginia being the odds-on favorite there but that recruitment is going to take some time to play out. Also worth keeping an eye on is Nadir Thompson, the three-star back from Bailey (NC) Southern Nash who is expecting to visit this summer. Lastly, we're not entirely sure what to make of UVa's chances with Blacksburg three-star RB Coleton Beck but it'll be interesting to see how that one develops over the next month or two.
Wide receiver
In our view, three-star Hayfield standout Brian Cobbs remains one of UVa's top targets in this class and particularly at this position. With Tavares Kelly in the fold, the class isn't likely to be too deep but guys like three-star Pittsburgh WR Julian Major (who cut his list to Iowa State, Kentucky, Michigan State, UVa, and Wisconsin late last month), three-star Greensboro (NC) Dudley prospect Nigel Fitzgerald, and Florida's Blake Veargis (who put UVa in his top 10 this week) are going to be key targets to watch this summer. The skill positions also lend themselves to camp offers, so don't be surprised if someone plays their way into the mix.
Tight end
When he was a three-star prospect in the spring, it felt like UVa was in a great spot for Atlanta native John FitzPatrick, who gave us an incredible interview about his visit. But now, he's a Rivals250 four-star and the competition has gotten fierce. We still see UVa having a puncher's chance but it's a much, much bleaker outlook as far as the Cavaliers are concerned than earlier this year. At this point, our sneaky suspicion is that whomever Virginia lands in this class at tight end isn't currently on the radar and he's someone who will impress at camp, too.
Offensive line
With three additions already in this class in guards Joe Bissinger and Will Lawrence as well as tackle Bobby Haskins, there's at least two more spots left to fill and we'd expect the staff to focus on tackles with length and athleticism. It's pretty apparent from our recent conversation with him that UVa and Oscar Smith standout James Collins aren't quite on the same page these days. So who else might be in line? Devonte Gordon, Tola Banjoko, and Aidan Rafferty all make sense. It's also worth keeping an eye on Detroit (MI) three-star OT Nick Carey, Elgin (SC) native Wyatt Campbell, and Camendton (MO) standout Josh Semau, who visited last week. The early work on the O-line was imperative but the staff still needs to wrap up what looks like a solid class on the line.
Defensive end
With Chris Collins off the board to Carolina and UVa missing the cut for four-star NJ native Jayson Oweh, this remains the hardest position to forecast. There is, of course, the dream scenario where four-star Rivals250 DL and Gilman standout Thomas Booker takes that planned summer visit and ultimately decides to pick the Hoos. But we hope folks aren't expecting that. When we spoke with him recently, Emmett McNamara certainly sounded like someone we could see landing at UVa soon but camp season has a way of sometimes changing narratives. Virginia also has been in the mix with GA three-star Nick Fulwider but our gut says the Yellow Jackets likely hold on to the in-state talent. UVa is also trying to make a play in Texas, where Darren Brown recently picked up an offer. Lastly, Mohamoud Diabate out of Alabama has been on the radar for a while, so that might be one to watch too.
Defensive tackle
With Ja'Mion Franklin and Ryan Bryce off the board to Notre Dame and Army, respectively, there's been some heartburn on the message board given the need at NT, especially since Austin Smith sounds like a guy who is likely to stay in the Peach State. Despite things tightening up, it's worth noting that the early work UVa did has them in great shape with a trio of solid DTs: Cam Goode, Jayde Pierre, and Kai Golden. In addition, the Hoos recently offered Henry Chibueze as a NT as well. Overall, while it's always tough to get close but ultimately miss out, that's the nature of the beast and why the staff has spread a much wider net this year than in the previous cycle. Undoubtedly, they have to find NTs in this class.
Linebacker
With UVa having already pulled in three at this position in Noah Taylor, Javar Garrett, and Case Gatlin, the need here isn't as pressing. The guy who makes the most sense right now is Grant Misch. He, like Gatlin, could easily develop into a DE at the next level, too. We had also heard that UVa likes Donaldsville (LA) athlete Jaylin Williams at linebacker but there hasn't been too much buzz out there on where things stand with him in the last month or so.
Defensive back
UVa continues to hang in the fight with three-star Georgia cornerback Trey Morrison but that one seems to have gotten away from them for the most part. At one point it looked like UVa had a good shot with Noah Boykin and Vincent Flythe out of H.D. Woodson but those two seem to have gone quiet as far as UVa is concerned. Taylor's high school teammate at Avalon, three-star DBJermaine Waller, is probably the one corner we expect Virginia to have the best chance with right now. In addition, after talking to him recently we think UVa is in a good spot with Graham athlete Taymon Cooke, who could play on either side of the ball but initially would be slotted at corner. Another Converse (TX) Judson three-star with an offer, Chris Mills could factor in here, too. Also at corner, Covington (GA) Newton standout Elija Godwin will be one to watch as well. With Joseph White in the fold at safety, we could still see the staff going after guys like Kaleb Smith and Kohl Henke but camp season is likely to produce one or two offers to DBs a bit off the radar and safety seems like a good place for that this year.
Kicker
Finally this week, and for what we think is the first time we've added kicker to this sort of run down, it's worth noting that UVa offered South Carolina native Hunter Pearson last month. Ranked third in the nation by Kohl's Kicking, he's also been offered by Indiana and West Virginia thus far.
That is it for this week, and as always, what's said here, stays here!
