#NewStandard18: UVA’s latest batch of signed commits, by the numbers

The first letter of intent rolled into the McCue Center at 7:07 AM: the official commitment from Florida offensive lineman Martin Weisz.

Over the next seven hours, the social media feeds for the Virginia Cavaliers were abuzz with tweets and videos and unfettered excitement.

When wide receivers coach Marques Hagans revealed the signing of Tavares Kelly as a late-day surprise, UVA had laid down a solid foundation for continued growth and success under Bronco Mendenhall.

Here is the #NewStandard18 class, by the numbers.

18: Players to sign with Virginia on Wednesday

Virginia rolled into the signing period with 22 committed players, 21 of whom are high school seniors. Better than 80% of the class locked in their commitments to the Cavaliers, on the high side of what most experts were ready to consider a successful day for the Hoos.

84.48: Average 247 Composite score of the early signings

Quarterback Brennan Armstrong was the top commit under the Composite ratings at 87.10. Ten players are rated between 84 and 86. Even the two lowest rated commits are both rated above 81 (OL Derek Devine, at 81.53, and WR Billy Kemp at 81.32). Virginia has never had a class with every player rated 81 or better in the 247 Composite.

2: Quarterbacks signed

The aforementioned Armstrong, plus JUCO transfer Bryce Perkins. The Hoos’ plan to replace Kurt Benkert is coming into sharper focus. Armstrong and Perkins both are quarterbacks who can capably run the option-based attack that helped BYU flourish under Mendenhall with Taysom Hill. With Perkins having two years of eligibility remaining, the succession plan—going from one Thorterback to the next without playing a true freshman—appears to be falling into place.

3: Virginia commits to sign with UVA

Potomac Falls linebacker Grant Misch, Landstown safety JoJo White, and Kemp from Highland Springs. There were four Virginia signees (excluding Woodberry Forest and FUMA players) in the 2017 class.

Quick hits

• 42: Signing day tweets from @UVa_Football
• A bajillion: Cups of coffee consumed among STL staff during our coverage
• 4: Number of hard commits outstanding.
• 49: Days until the February signing day, when we get to have all this fun again.