Welcome to another addition of Recruiting Roundup! Today, we will recap the week that was in UVa recruiting and much more.
Let's go!
The Commits
We told you that the month of August had monster potential for the UVa football program, and so far, it has not disappointed. The Wahoos opened the month by reeling in commitments from Myles Robinson, Kareem McDonald, and four-star linebacker Javhoni Simmons in the first week. In the last several days, Virginia has doubled its pledges for August, reeling in three more members of the class of 2015. Let's take a closer look at the new Hoos.
Rasool Clemons- Coach London and company started the weekend off with a bang, picking up a commitment from the four-star defensive end from Aiken, South Carolina. Clemons selected the Wahoos over LSU, Tennessee, and West Virginia, and also held offers from Florida State and Clemson. Though he is a little raw and underweight for a college defensive end, it is impossible not the see his potential and how he would fit like a glove in Tenuta's defense. Pulling an Aiken kid away from Clemson, no matter how long he has lived there is impressive. London has proved several times in this recruiting cycle that he can get it done against some of college football's elite.
Eli Hanback- Hours after reeling in Clemons, the Hoos picked up another lineman. Hanback is being recruited to play offensive guard or defensive tackle, and he will add much needed depth to whichever position he ends up at. The 6-4 275 pound lineman showed well at London's camp in June, and returned to Charlottesville over the weekend hoping to secure an offer from Virginia. After receiving the elusive offer, it did not take Hanback long to jump on board. Hanback selected UVa over offers from the instate CAA programs, as well as Old Dominion.
Gladimir Paul- Along with linebacker C.J. Stalker, Virginia's latest commit is in the running for the best name for the class of 2015. Paul became the 20th member of UVa's class of 2015 on Tuesday, selecting the Cavaliers over offers from UConn, Temple, and UMass among others. Like Clemons, Paul is an undersized defensive end, at 212 pounds. Paul is being recruited as a hybrid weak side DE/OLB, and appears to be the ideal heir apparent to current defender Max Valles.
Successful Cookout:
Following the Virginia football team's third scrimmage of camp, London welcomed members of the 2015 class, along with a host of top prospects for the program's annual summer cookout. Simmons, McDonald, Robinson, Juan Thornhill, Nick Johns, R.J. Proctor, and David Eldridge of the 2015 class were all in attendance. Glen Allen wide receiver Cole Blackman was also in the house representing the class of 2016.
Speaking of 2016, top junior cornerbacks Levonta Taylor and Robbie Robinson made the trek up from the 757 to the 434 on Saturday afternoon. Taylor has been killing it on the camp circuit this summer. After standout performances at the Rivals 100 Challenge and the Opening, Taylor earned a five-star ranking. Taylor holds over two-dozen offers, but the Cavaliers are in excellent shape, and landing Simmons earlier this month certainly helps their cause. Robinson is another top defensive back for the class of 2016, and is the younger brother of linebacker Daquan Romero. The Pheobus standout is a major priority for UVa going forward.
In addition, Woodberry Forest OT Clark Yarbrough made an appearance on Saturday. The Wahoos were one of the first schools to reach out to Yarbrough, but the rising junior has since added offers from Florida, Michigan, and Oklahoma among others.
Perhaps the most encouraging news of the weekend was the presence of 2015 linebacker Ricky DeBerry. It was DeBerry's second visit in the last several weeks, after the four-star 'backer made it up for London's camp in late July. DeBerry trimmed his EXTREMELY long list of schools to just eight at the beginning of this month, and the Cavaliers made the cut. DeBerry, who announced this week that he will play his senior year at Atlee High School, plans to be back in the Hook for the season opener against UCLA.
Off the Board
This past week was not all peaches and cream, as the Wahoos missed out on Georgia defensive end G.G. Robinson. Robinson was high on Virginia, but ended up selecting UVa's new cross-division rival Louisville last Thursday night. New UL defensive coordinator Todd Granthem came to the school from UGA, and has made recruiting the Peach State a priority this cycle and beyond. While Robinson is committed to the Cards, we would not be surprised if the three-star DE/TE elected to take official visits this fall.
Ocean Lakes safety Jahque Allenye also came off the board this past weekend, committing to Virginia Tech. Allenye has many ties to the UVa program, but the Wahoos already have commitments from safeties, Thornhill and David Curry, and remain in pursuit of Pennsylvania DB, John Petrishen.
Hooping it up
We will close this week's roundup with a few notes from Tony Bennett's camp this past weekend.
2016 targets, Mamadi Diakite, Ty Graves, Clayton Hughes, Demonte Buckingham, Ty Graves Javin Montgomery-Delaurier, and Kwe Parker along with 2017 point guard Matt Coleman were all in attendance.
Diakite, who was on Justin Anderson's team was one of the most, if not the most impressive big men at the camp. The Blue Ridge power forward displayed tremendous improvements in nearly every aspect of his game, especially his handle. Look for Bennett and company to take several short drives to St. George to watch the big man play this upcoming winter.
Bennett spent a great deal of time evaluating prospects that have not been offered yet, including Clayton and Parker. The Virginia head coach had a long one-on-one chat with Parker in the midst of all the action.
Finally, we cannot close the roundup without expressing how impressive Coleman is. The rising sophomore plays well beyond his age, and will clearly be one to watch in the years to come. UVa is in excellent shape with the Norfolk standout, but there is plenty of time left in this one, and the Hoos will need to fend off some of the blue bloods.
That will do it for today's roundup! Have a great week everybody.