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The Virginia Cavaliers got their summer off to a hot start with an in-state commitment to kick off Memorial Day weekend.
After talking with my family,coaches, and teammates I have decided to commit to the University of Virginia. I am thankful to have the opportunity to be a student athlete at the collegiate level. Thank you to everyone who has helped me get to this point. Go Hoos! ⚔️ ⚔️ pic.twitter.com/cuTx2Bc1nn
— Josh Ahern (@joshahern2) May 25, 2018
Josh Ahern is a 6-foot-3, 215-pound linebacker from Lake Braddock High School in Burke. Rated three stars by 247 Sports, Ahern holds offers from Army, Navy, Cincinnati, and Temple, as well as in-state programs ODU, Liberty, and JMU. He had also taken an unofficial visit to Penn State this month.
Ahern joins Tiquest Terry as in-state commitments to the Hoos for 2019.
There isn’t athleticism that jumps off the screen when you watch him, but Ahern plays with good instincts for where the play is going to be. He’s a plus asset in zone coverage and as a run stuffer, where he shows good technique both in shedding blockers and in finishing sure tackles. Trying to number up with a D1 running back in man coverage may be a challenge, though. You can see the grit factors the UVA coaches value: playing to the last echo of the whistle and demonstrably encouraging his teammates on the sideline.
Ahern should compete for early playing time as a special teams contributor and benefit from speed and strength training. By his second or third year, that playing time could be as a first- and second-down linebacker.
Welcome to UVA, Josh!