The momentum for Virginia football that built last week—with the public commitment from Delaware prospect Zachariah Burton, and the possible commitment of Florida running back Jamari Peacock—continued through this past weekend. #HoosOnBoard picked up at least one more backfield piece, and the coaches extended an offer to a defensive player at one of the top high school football programs in Texas.
Here’s where things stand this morning after the weekend’s activities.
Hits
PK Kier: In last week’s recap, we relayed the sad news that Kier had lost his young cousin to cancer. Kier rescheduled his visit to UVA for this past weekend, and the coaches landed the Winchester (Millbrook HS) runner.
#HoosRising #Wahoowa ⚔ pic.twitter.com/jje7G7hsK9
— PK Kier (@PK_Kier) June 18, 2016
Kier had been a JMU commit but seems solid in his decision to come to Virginia.
UVA’s newest commit has great patience and vision, and runs strong through potential tacklers. He doesn’t have elite speed or shiftiness, but is elusive enough to keep defenders from lining him up square. At 5’11 and 205 pounds, the big question for Kier in FBS is whether he can run over ACC tacklers the way he runs over VHSL 4A tacklers.
New Offer
Virginia also extended a scholarship offer to Matt Gahm, a linebacker from Highland Park High School in Dallas.
Very excited to receive an offer from the University of Virginia #HoosRising pic.twitter.com/Aj29MfxGl3
— Matt Gahm (@matt_gahm) June 18, 2016
Gahm is 6’2, 224, and plays both linebacker and defensive end for Highland Park, which is the alma mater of Matthew Stafford. UVA is the first Power Five school to offer Gahm, who holds offers from six other schools including Air Force, Army, and Penn.
The Hoos may have sealed the deal with Gahm already, as director of player personnel Justin Anderson tweeted something that sure looks like UVA picked up a commitment from Texas.
Smart, tough and talented! From Texas to Virginia! #HoosONBoard17
— Justin Anderson (@Coach_JJAnders) June 20, 2016
Basketball updates
Charlottesville was also home to some of the top basketball prospects in the country, as JPJ once again hosted the NBPA’s Top 100 camp. For the first time in its 22-year history, two players shared MVP honors—and both are top targets for Tony Bennett’s staff.
MVP x 2.
— Top 100 Camp (@Top100Camp) June 19, 2016
For the first time in #NBPATop100 history, there are 2 camp MVPs. Congrats @TremontWaters and @ZionW32. pic.twitter.com/NxDr8J8ioe
Tremont Waters is a 4-star point guard from Connecticut and rated among the top PGs for the class of 2017. With Gonzaga PG Chris Lykes committing to Miami last weekend, Waters becomes a much more important target if Virginia is focused on adding a point guard in next year’s recruiting class.
Zion Williamson is one of the top rising juniors in the country, ranked in the top 10 to 20 prospects in the class of 2018. A 6’7, 220-pound wing from South Carolina, Williamson is rated five stars by 247 and ESPN, and four stars by Rivals and Scout. Virginia and Maryland are the top programs to have offered Williamson so far but UNC, Duke, and Kentucky have all shown significant interest.
Hopefully the facilities at JPJ did their job and dazzled enough that both players continue to give UVA a good hard look.