Virginia landed another talented player at their greatest position of need Thursday night, when Linebacker LaChaston Smith committed to the Cavaliers. Smith, a North Carolina native, chose Virginia over offers from North Carolina, Florida, Tennessee, Wake Forest, and others. LaChaston Smith becomes the 9th member of UVA's 2013 class, and joins fellow commit Micah Kiser in the Linebacking core.
Smith is listed at around 6'0'' 215 lbs, and is ranked as a high 3-star prospect by both 247sports and Rivals. The Statesville, North Carolina native racked up 82 tackles as a junior at South Iredell High in 2011. Smith anchors his team's defense, playing the Mike Linebacker role in a basic 4-3 defense. His film shows that Smith has good speed, and a knack for sniffing out the football. Another thing Smith does well is keep his eyes on the Quarterback, while dropping back in coverage and sticking with his man. Smith had several interceptions as a junior, and several pass breakups as well. The Carolina native also packs a punch, and can deliver big hits on ball carriers.
Smith has been high on UVA for a while now, and Virginia was right there at the top after his recent visit to Charlottesville. Although the timing was unexpected, the fact that he committed to the Cavaliers isn't all that shocking. Smith also represents a good player at Virginia's biggest area of need, the Linebacker spot. Already having Micah Kiser in the fold for 2013, Virginia could take another one or two linebackers in addition to the two they now have. Among those Virginia will pursue the hardest will be Stanford commit Doug Randolph, and a pair of North Carolina natives, Peter Kalambayi and Larenz Bryant, all three of which are in Rivals' Top 100 prospects in the nation.
Virginia Football: 2013 Recruiting Class
Brendan Marshall, Quarterback, Good Counsel (Olney, MD)
6'5'', 210 lbs
Rating: Rivals (3*), 247sports (3*)
Offers: Virginia, California
Sadiq Olanrewaju, Offensive Tackle, Salisbury School (Salisbury, CT)
6'5'', 260 lbs
Rating: Rivals (3*), 247sports (3*)
Offers: Virginia, UConn, Rutgers, Temple, West Virginia
Andre Levrone, Wide Receiver, Good Counsel (Olney, MD)
6'1'' 198 lbs
Rating: Rivals (3*), 247sports (3*)
Offers: Virginia, Auburn, Mississippi State
Tim Harris, Cornerback/Safety, Varina
6'2'' 173 lbs
Ratings: Rivals (4*) 247sports (4*)
Offers: Virginia, California, Ohio State, Michigan, Tennessee, Rutgers, Virginia Tech, Rutgers, Georgia Tech, Ole Miss, Syracuse
Zack Jones, Wide Receiver, Oscar Smith
5'11'' 178 lbs
Ratings: Rivals (NR), 247sports (3*)
Offers: Virginia, Illinois
Micah Kiser, Linebacker, Gilman
6'1'' 215 lbs
Ratings: Rivals (3*) 247sports (4*)
Offers: Virginia, Boston College, Florida, Maryland, Oklahoma, Penn State, Purdue, Rutgers, Stanford, Virginia Tech
Corwin Cutler, Quarterback, Ocean Lakes
6'4'' 180 lbs
Ratings: Rivals (3*), 247sports (3*)
Offers: Virginia
Hipolito Corporan, Cornerback, Westside (Houston,TX)
6'1'' 160 lbs
Ratings: Rivals (NR), 247sports (3*)
Offers: Virginia, Baylor, Tulsa, UTEP
LaChaston Smith, Linebacker, South Iredell (Statesville, NC)
6'0'' 215 lbs
Ratings: Rivals (3*), 247sports (3*)
Offers: Virignia, Florida, North Carolina, Wake Forest, ECU, Tennessee, South Carolina, Minnesota