5-Star Defensive Tackle Andrew Brown Commits to Virginia

Andrew Brown committed to Virginia this afternoon, announcing his choice at his home in Chesapeake. Brown picked Virginia over four other finalists: Alabama, Florida State, Clemson and Virginia Tech. Brown is a consensus 5-star prospect, ranking anywhere from #2 to #7 in the nation according to the major recruiting services. The Oscar Smith standout chose UVa over offers from his four other finalists, as well as Ohio State, Notre Dame, Auburn, Florida, Michigan and tons of over schools. This is Virginia's 2nd 5-star, top-10 prospect for the 2014 class, joining star safety Quin Blanding in the recruiting class.

At 6'4" 298 lbs, Brown is a behemoth in the middle of the defensive line. Expect Brown to play defensive tackle primarily at Virginia, but also rush from the end position situationally. Brown is a good enough athlete to play at both spots, and his versatility will help send different looks at opposing offenses. At his impressive size, Brown is a rare athlete that can both overpower offensive linemen, and use his quickness to get by them as well. He has done really well on the camp circuit for the last few years, earning recognition and landing invites to the nation's premier competitions. Along with Quin Blanding, Brown will head to Oregon tomorrow to compete in arguably the nation's most elite recruiting combine, Nike's The Opening. The duo will also play in the Under Armour All-American Game in January.

It goes without saying that this is a huge commitment for Mike London and the Cavaliers. There are currently three 5-star players in the Commonwealth in the 2014 cycle, and UVa has landed two of them, with the other heading out of state. Virginia has also once again landed an ultra-talented player from the Tidewater area, holding off basically every school in the nation, and their rivals to the southwest, for Brown's verbal. The UVa staff did a great job selling Brown on the music program, where he hopes to get a degree in music production. If you're interested in some of his work to date, click here. Brown's relationship with London and the coaching staff was key, as was his close friendships with several UVa players and commits, including his cousin, quarterback Corwin Cutler.

With Virginia's top two 2014 targets in the fold, the 2014 class could be one of the program's greatest classes ever. Blanding and Brown are among the highest ranked players that the Hoos have ever landed, and UVa is the only school in the nation currently with two commits ranked as top ten prospects. If the Cavaliers can land a few other of their top targets, including 4-star wide receiver Jamil Kamara, then the staff will have put together a tremendous recruiting effort coming off a 4-8 2012 season.

Virginia Cavaliers 2014 Recruiting Class

Quin Blanding, FS, Virginia Beach, VA (Bayside)

Ratings: Rivals (5*), 247Sports (5*)

Offers: Virginia, Alabama, Florida State, North Carolina, Michigan, Ohio State, Miami, Clemson, NC State, Notre Dame, West Virginia, Auburn, Cincinnati, UConn, ECU, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Penn State, Purdue, Tennessee, UCLA, Vanderbilt, Virginia Tech

Steven Moss, OL, Fredericksburg, VA (Chancellor)

Ratings: Rivals (4*), 247Sports (4*)

Offers: Virginia, Auburn, Florida State, Arkansas, Tennessee, Clemson, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia Tech, Penn State, West Virginia, NC State, Maryland, Boston College, Illinois, Oklahoma, Syracuse, ODU

Gary Wunderlich, Kicker, Memphis, TN (Memphis University School)

Ratings: Rivals (3*), 247Sports (2*)

Offers: Virginia, Texas A&M

J.J. Jackson, DE/OLB, Purcellville, VA (Woodgrove)

Ratings: Rivals (2*), 247Sports (3*)

Offers: Virginia, Duke, ODU, Ohio, Yale, Hampton

Will Richardson, OT, Burlington, NC (Cummings)

Ratings: Rivals (3*), 247Sports (4*)

Offers: Virginia, FSU, NC State, Duke, Virginia Tech, Louisville

Caanan Brown, LB, Clearwater, FL (Clearwater Central)

Ratings: Rivals (2*), 247Sports (2*)

Offers: Virginia, UMass

Jordan Ellis, RB, Suwanee, GA (Peachtree Ridge)

Ratings: Rivals (2*), 247Sports (3*)

Offers: Virginia, Western Kentucky, Miami (OH)

Evan Butts, TE, Newtown Square, PA (Episcopal Academy)

Ratings: Rivals (2*), 247Sports (3*)

Offers: Virginia, Boston College, Pittsburgh, Rutgers, Temple, Army, Navy

Andrew Brown, DT, Chesapeake, VA (Oscar Smith)

Ratings: Rivals (5*), 247Sports (5*)

Offers: Virginia, Alabama, Florida, Florida State, Clemson, Michigan, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Notre Dame, Tennessee, Virginia Tech, UNC, WVU, Penn State