Head Coach Mike London and Cornerbacks Coach Chip West picked up a big time player today, as Virginia Gatorade Player of the Year Demetrious Nicholson announced today that he will be joining Virginia's Class of 2011.
Both Scouts and Rivals rate Nicholson as a four-star cornerback, while ESPN lists him on the ESPNU 150, ranked 92nd overall and fourth nationally in his position. Rivals also ranks him as the second best recruit in Virginia.
"He's a nice and humble kid," Bayside coach Darnell Moore said in a Virginian-Pilot article. "You could walk through the building and nobody would have anything bad to say about him."
This marks another big hit on the Hoos vs. Hokies 757 recruiting trail, as the Bayside High School (Virginia Beach, Va.) senior received offers from both schools, as well as North Carolina, Stanford, Michigan, NC State, West Virginia and Clemson.
Coming in at 5'11, 170 lbs (though the Virginian-Pilot recently listed him at 5'9, 160 lbs), Nicholson is perhaps a little smaller than ideal, but as one might expect out of the smaller frame, his footwork is what sets him apart. He can cut in and out alongside a receiver's breaks and, according to ESPN.com, has excellent ball and awareness skills."A lot of people keep telling me to make Bayside proud," Nicholson recently said to The Virginian-Pilot. "It's great to see other people be happy about my ability."
This season, Nicholson posted 38 receptions for 597 yards and eight touchdowns. He also has three interceptions. In 2009, he had 28 tackles, nine interceptions, 18 pass breakups, 857 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns.
In addition to being named the Virginia Gatorade Player of the Year, Nicholson will be playing in the Under Armour All-American game on January 5 in Florida, as the only player from the state of Virginia.
As of December 17, ESPN ranks Virginia's 2011 Recruiting Class No. 19 in the nation. This includes 24 commits, with three 4-star recruits, two of whom are ESPNU 150s. The addition makes it 25 commits, four 4-stars, and three ESPNU 150s.
Virginia also has a commitment from Damascus cornerback Brandon Phelps, another four-star prospect named to the ESPNU 150. Phelps is ranked seventh overall in his position.
Not too bad for a team that finished 4-8 and 3-9 in the last two seasons, respectively.