The 2014 Spring Game is expected to attract some of Virginia’s top targets in the class of 2015 and beyond. On Saturday I’ll provide a list of those prospects confirmed to be in attendance and will follow up with updates and any breaking news throughout the weekend, but in the meantime here is a preview of those expected to be in Charlottesville.
The first class of 2015 prospect to commit to the Hoos will be in Scott Stadium tomorrow. Altavista (VA) rising senior Juan Thornhill, a free safety prospect, is rock solid in his commitment and has said he will try and do some recruiting for the Hoos. He’ll have his chance on Saturday.
Winton Woods (Cincinnati, OH) rising senior George Brown Jr. tweeted that he intends to be at UVa this weekend. The 6’7”, 260-pound offensive lineman/defensive tackle may arrive today and stay through tomorrow. A highly coveted prospect with offers from all across the country, Brown scored a Virginia offer last month.
Hylton (Woodbridge) offensive lineman Matthew Burrell Jr. will be in Charlottesville again. He has been on Grounds many times before. Burrell had a great time at Virginia Tech earlier this year but appears to be considering both in-state schools strongly. Alabama and Penn State are among the many other schools that have offered this big-time target as well.
Highland Springs (VA) rising senior wide receiver Felton Davis III will be making his third ACC visit in as many weekends. The 6’3.5”, 180-pound prospect traveled to Wake Forest last weekend and Virginia Tech the previous weekend. Virginia, Virginia Tech and Wisconsin are among those schools that have offered.
Ricky DeBerry Jr., a 6’3”, 245-pound rising senior outside linebacker/defensive end out of St. Christopher’s (Richmond, VA), is expected on Grounds. DeBerry received over 50 scholarship offers before recently narrowing the field to 20. Virginia is a school he has visited numerous times, most recently for the March 1 Junior Day.
Centreville (Clifton, VA) offensive lineman Justin Skule has an offer from Virginia and serious interest from a handful of others, including Boston College. The 6’6”, 290-pound prospect visited UVa earlier this year and enjoyed his time, but at last check he was not in a rush to commit anywhere. He’ll be joined on the trip by teammates and classmates A.J. Turner and Taylor Boose. Turner, a running back who was one of Centreville’s big-time performers in the dominate state title win over Oscar Smith last year (the game was held in Scott Stadium, by the way), also has a Virginia offer as well as offers from Virginia Tech and South Carolina, among others.
Boose is a fullback prospect and productive player, but as of now Virginia has not offered.
Hopewell defensive end/outside linebacker Darrell Taylor has attracted college recruiters with his combination of size (6’4”, 220 pounds) and athleticism (Virginia thinks he could play outside linebacker or defensive end). Taylor has visited Virginia before and plans to return on Saturday. Virginia and Virginia Tech have offered and he is high on both in-state programs. He is also considering out-of-state offers such as Illinois, Iowa and Purdue.
Taylor is a class of 2015 prospect. His cousin, Tabyus, signed with Virginia Tech in the class of 2014.
On the rising junior front, at least a pair of Ocean Lakes (Virginia Beach, VA) prospects will be on Grounds tomorrow. They are cornerback Levonta Taylor and safety Anthony Womack. Taylor is already one of the most coveted prospects in the class of 2016. Womack has not received an offer from Virginia just yet, but Dolphins head coach Chris Scott expects him to be a FBS-level recruit.
Coach Scott says linebacker Jahvoni Simmons will not make the trip to Charlottesville because he is scheduled to take the ACT. Virginia is one of the top contenders for the rising senior middle linebacker, who has also drawn offers from Alabama, Clemson, Virginia Tech and others. Rising senior Dolphin defensive backs Jacque Allen and TJ Griffin likely won’t make it to UVa tomorrow, either. Virginia has offered both players.
