Coach Mike London scored a commitment today from Lakota West (West Chester, OH) standout C.J. Stalker, one of UVa’s top linebacker targets in the class of 2015. The 6’3”, 225-pound rising senior chose the Hoos over offers from Cincinnati, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisville and West Virginia, among others.
Stalker revealed his decision through Twitter.
Proud to say that I am officially committed to the University of Virginia! #ACC pic.twitter.com/MamXwFfZoM
— CJ Stalker (@Clayton_Stalker) July 23, 2014
Defensive coordinator Jon Tenuta serves as Stalker’s primary recruiter. Tenuta began recruiting the Ohio native in the fall of 2013. Stalker received a Virginia offer this past winter and was interested enough to take a visit, which he made in March of this year.
“I really didn’t know much heading into it,” Stalker said in April of his March experience in Charlottesville. “Going down there, there is so much history I think so many overlook. It’s interesting seeing everything the school has to offer. It’s Thomas Jefferson’s university. Everything was really interesting to me.”
Academics are a big factor for Stalker, who carries a 3.7 GPA.
“I want to do Pre Med. On my visit, my parents and I spoke to two or three doctors, one of which is the head of the Med School. He said he would advise me if I chose UVa. He said it’s completely doable, doing Pre Med plus athletics,” Stalker said in April.
As a junior, Stalker started off the 2013 season at outside linebacker before moving inside. Lakota West head coach Larry Cox says the move paid big dividends for Stalker and the team.
“He just felt more comfortable when he got in the middle. He patrols from tight end to tight end and comes downhill. He’ll be a 250-pound Mike linebacker when all is said and done,” Cox said.
Speaking to Stalker’s character, Cox said: “CJ is a worker. He’s a great person. He does everything we ask of him. He is a driven student and he is a driven athlete. The expectations he has for himself I think exceeds the expectations others have for him. We hit the weight room at 6:30 in the morning and he never misses it. He also will stay after school for a half hour to work out. I’m the track coach as well and he does hurdles. He’s real goal oriented, and I think he raises the expectations of others.”
Verbal commitment no. 12 for the Hoos in this class, Stalker is rated a 4-star recruit by Rivals. 247Sports, ESPN and Scout rate him as a 3-star prospect. In addition to the offers he received, Stalker received strong interest from Ohio State.
Stay tuned to TheSabre for more on this latest recruit. In the meantime, check out his junior season highlights below.
