Virginia Football Recruiting: Four-Star Linebacker Jahvhoni Simmons Commits to the Hoos

The month of August has been an eventful one on the recruiting trail under head coach Mike London. In the past five years, some of the Wahoos' top targets have come off the board in August, including Eli Harold in 2011 and Taquan Mizzell in 2012. This summer appears to be no different, as UVa landed four-star Ocean Lakes linebacker Javhoni Simmons on Tuesday afternoon.

Simmons was one of the most sought after recruits in the nation for the class of 2015, having held offers from Alabama, Clemson, Ohio State, and Oregon among many others.

The Wahoos now have two of the nation's top middle linebackers in the country for the class of 2015, with Simmons ranked fourth nationally, and C.J. Stalker 11th by rivals.com.

The 6-0, 230 pound Simmons is the second defender to commit to Virginia on Tuesday, as Woodrow Wilson OLB, Kareem McDonald came off the board several hours ago.

Simmons comes from one the state's top prep programs, Ocean Lakes. With Simmons holding down the middle of the defense, the Dolphins have compiled a record of 26-2 in the past two seasons. Simmons is teammates with fellow UVa targets, 2015 defensive backs, Jahque Allenye and T.J. Griffin, along with five-star 2016 cornerback, Levonta Taylor. The Ocean Lakes program has been kind to UVa over the years, producing Harold, Corwin Cutler, and now Simmons.

Virginia will lose three linebackers following the 2014 season, but the Wahoos have addressed the need with the 2015 recruiting class. The Cavaliers now have three 'backers on board, with Simmons, McDonald, and Stalker. Simmons' pledge allows London to be creative with his new set of linebackers. While Simmons is strictly a MIKE, London and the defensive coaches could elect to move Stalker to the outside. Stalker spent his whole career at OLB  before last season. The Wahoos are also in the mix for four-star OLB Ricky DeBerry. DeBerry trimmed his long list to rights schools yesterday, and Virginia made the cut.

London has been on a tear as of late, as Virginia is up to 17 commits for the class of 2015.