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The recruiting trail giveth, and the recruiting trail taketh away.
Just one day after Ohio dual-threat Brennan Armstrong announced his commitment to the Virginia Cavaliers, the Hoos’ 2018 recruiting class is back down to one quarterback after the decommitment of Florida prospect Wyatt Rector.
... No media interviews till after thanksgiving... #godbless pic.twitter.com/iwHOJEZUmt
— Wyatt Rector (@WyattRector) November 21, 2017
Rector was the second commit in the 2018 class, announcing his initial pledge to Virginia in March. At the time, he was coming off an injury-shortened junior season. Healthy again for his senior year, Rector passed for over 3,000 yards and 26 touchdowns and ran for another 18 scores.
The UVA quarterback room now has an open slot for 2018. With Kurt Benkert likely playing his final game in Scott Stadium on Friday night, the only current scholarship quarterback who will return in 2018 is true freshman Lindell Stone. Matthew Merrick transferred in this offseason and will be eligible to play in 2018. In addition to bringing in Armstrong, Bronco Mendenhall said it is very likely the program will add a junior college transfer with multiple years remaining.
Expect that JUCO player to be Bryce Perkins out of Arizona Western.
Extremely grateful and would like to thank God for receiving an offer from The University of Virginia pic.twitter.com/40nSepFEke
— B Perk (@B_Perk3) November 3, 2017
Perkins enrolled at Arizona State as the #17 dual-threat quarterback in the class of 2015 before a broken neck derailed his Sun Devils career. Now in his “bounce back” season, Arizona Western is ranked #2 in the country and will play East Mississippi Community College—of Last Chance U fame—for the NJCAA national title on December 3rd. Perkins evidently enjoyed what he saw from Virginia’s upset bid in Miami on Saturday.
UVA
— B Perk (@B_Perk3) November 18, 2017
A 6’3, 215 pound dynamo, Perkins would bring a significant athletic upgrade to the backfield in Charlottesville.