Virginia Football: Kareem Gibson No Longer Enrolled

The Virginia football roster was updated this week, and a familiar name is missing. Kareem Gibson, who would have been a sophomore cornerback, is no longer enrolled at the University of Virginia. UVA Assistant AD for Media Relations Jim Daves confirmed Gibson’s departure this morning.

Gibson played in six games for the Cavaliers last season and started twice. He recorded a fourth-quarter interception that helped seal Virginia’s win against Central Michigan. He had 14 tackles on the year.

Gibson’s departure likely means that Virginia will rely on at least one true freshman at cornerback this fall. The Cavaliers seem set with Tim Harris and Bryce Hall on the first string. Kirk Garner and Myles Robinson (who has been converted to safety) will likely see time in the nickel. True freshman Germane Crowell, one of Virginia’s highest-rated 2017 recruits, is likely next in line.

Gibson’s departure is the ninth from the UVA program during the off-season and the sixth from the Cavalier defense. He joins Cory Jones, Matt Terrell, Landan Word, Eric Gallon, and Naji Abdullah as former defenders who would have been eligible to play for UVA in 2017.

Virginia signed four defensive backs in the 2017 recruiting class: Crowell, Riah Burton, Joey Blount, and Darrius Bratton. A fifth, Terrell Jana, could play either DB or wide receiver. UVA has two commitments from defensive backs in its 2018 class.