The official press release courtesy of VirginiaSports.com
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The Virginia football program signed 21 student-athletes to a National Letter of Intent (NLI) for the 2015-16 academic school year head coach Mike London announced. Two additional recruits enrolled at UVa in January, topping the class off at 23. Highlighting the class are nine signees from the Commonwealth of Virginia, while student-athletes from six other states also signed with the Cavaliers. UVa also welcomes recruits from Florida, Georgia, Maryland, New Jersey, Ohio and Pennsylvania.
The following is a list of individuals who have signed National Letters-of-Intent to attend the University of Virginia on football grant-in-aid.
2015 Football Recruiting Class
Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Hometown High School
Naji Abdullah DE 6-5 230 Jacksonville, Fla. Sandalwood
Ryan Bischoff OL 6-6 300 Plymouth, Pa. Plymouth-Whitemarsh
Richard Burney TE 6-4 230 Chesapeake, Va. Hickory
Tanner Cowley TE 6-4 210 Manasquan, N.J. Manasquan
Warren Craft WR 6-2 185 Roanoke, Va. William Fleming
David Eldridge WR 6-1 175 Bealeton, Va. Kettle Run
Eric Gallon LB 6-2 220 Lakeland, Fla. Lakeland Christian
Kareem Gibson CB 5-11 160 Johnstown, Pa. Greater Johnstown
T.J. Griffin CB 5-9 185 Virginia Beach, Va. Ocean Lakes
Eli Hanback DT 6-4 275 Ashland, Va. Patrick Henry
Nick Johns QB 6-4 215 Leesburg, Va. Gonzaga
Gladimir Paul LB 6-2 215 Philadelphia, Pa. Northeast
Grant Polk** OL 6-6 300 Punta Gorda, Fla. Charlotte
R.J. Proctor OL 6-4 295 Bealeton, Va. Liberty
Myles Robinson WR 5-11 175 Olney, Md. Good Counsel
Chris Sharp RB 6-2 195 Princeton, N.J. The Hun School
Dominic Sheppard LB 6-2 225 Miami, Fla. Gulliver Prep
Jahvoni Simmons LB 6-1 240 Virginia Beach, Va. Ocean Lakes
C.J. Stalker** LB 6-2 225 West Chester, Ohio Lakota West
Juan Thornhill S 6-1 180 Altavista, Va. Altavista
James Trucilla DT 6-1 265 Erie, Pa. Cathedral Prep
Steven Wright DE 6-4 235 Waycross, Ga. Ware County
Olamide Zaccheaus RB 5-8 195 Philadelphia, Pa. St. Joseph’s Prep
** – currently enrolled at UVa and did not sign an NLI
Pronunciation Guide
Naji Abdullah – Nah-Gee Ab-Duel-Ah
Ryan Bischoff – Bish-Off
Gladimir Paul – glah-DEE-meer
Jahvoni Simmons – Ja-VAUGHN-EE
James Trucilla – True-Sil-A
Olamide Zaccheaus – Oh-lama-day Za-key-us
Naji Abdullah
6-5 • 230 • DE
Jacksonville, Fla.
Sandalwood HS
Played defensive end and outside linebacker at Sandalwood High School for head coach Adam Geis … rated a three-star recruit according to ESPN.com and 247sports.com … a two-star recruit according to Rivals.com and Scout.com … tallied 40 tackles, eight sacks and made five pass deflections … recovered two fumbles … son of Faheemah Abdullah … stepfather is Gary Mccool … has two brothers, Giovann Riddle and Adain Mccool … has three sisters, Nyja Abudllah, Doris Mccool and Caitlyn Mccool … name is pronounced Nah-Gee Ab-Duel-Ah.
Ryan Bischoff
6-6 • 300 • OL
Plymouth, Pa.
Plymouth-Whitemarsh HS
Played offensive guard and defensive tackle at Plymouth-Whitemarsh High School for head coach Dan Chang … rated a three-star recruit according to ESPN.com, Scout.com and 247sports.com … a two-star recruit according to Rivals.com … Class AAAA first-team all-state performer … two-time first-team All-Suburban One American Conference at offensive tackle … three-year starter on the offensive line … also started at defensive tackle as a junior and senior … first-team All-Eastern Pennsylvania … helped the Colonials to back-to-back Suburban One American Conference championships in 2012 and 2013 … is a pitcher on the baseball team … son of Eric and Tabitha Bischoff … has one brother, Evan … on the honor roll at Plymouth-Whitemarsh … is a certified life guard … enjoys hunting, fishing and paintball … volunteer work includes the Jingle Bell Jog, Alzheimers Walk, Greater Plymouth Community Center cleanup and working the Plymouth-Whitemarsh Diamond Baseball camps … name is pronounced Bish-Off.
Richard Burney
6-4 • 230 • TE
Chesapeake, Va.
Hickory HS
Played tight end and defensive end at Hickory High School for head coach Jupiter Wilson … rated a three-star recruit according to ESPN.com, Rivals.com and 247Sports.com … a two-star recruit by Scout.com … All-Conference 10 first-team honoree at tight end in 2013 and 2014 … played in the 757 All-Star football game on the East team … also can long snap … all-region honoree … named team MVP … also was a thrower in track and a forward on the basketball team … son of Richard and Laureen Burney … has two older sisters, Shauntee Parker and Richelle Dandridge … father Richard was a tight end and linebacker at Wisconsin from 1977-80 … played AAU basketball from 2011-14 … volunteer at the Jim O’Sullivan Football Camp.
Tanner Cowley
6-4 • 210 • TE
Manasquan, N.J.
Manasquan HS
Played outside linebacker and tight end at Manasquan High School for head coach Jay Price … rated a three-star recruit according to ESPN.com, Scout.com and 247Sports … a two-star recruit by Rivals.com … All-Class A Central first-team … Coast Star Defensive Player of the Year … second-team All-Shore … first-team All-Zone … accumulated 82 tackles and 10 tackles for a loss in 2013 … broke up six passes and grabbed one interception … made 20 catches and six touchdowns while playing tight end … also plays baseball … son of Drew and Sandy Cowley … has two sisters, Shae and Jane … father, Drew, played football at Southern Connecticut from 1982-83 and at Rowan in 1985 … sister, Shae, currently plays women’s lacrosse at Duquesne … grandfather, Bill Cowley, Sr., played basketball and baseball at Georgetown in 1952 and at St. Johns from 1953-55 … uncle, Bill Cowley, Jr., played football at William Patterson in 1983 and baseball at Saint Leo from 1984-86 and with the Pittsburgh Pirates minor league organization from 1987-88 … on honor roll in 2012, 2013 and 2014 … volunteered with Restore the Shore to help cleanup after Hurricane Sandy … volunteered at the Manasquan Recreation Football Camp.
Warren Craft
6-2 • 185 • WR
Roanoke, Va.
William Fleming HS
Played wide receiver and free safety at William Fleming High School for head coach Bobby Martin … rated a four-star recruit according to ESPN.com … a three-star recruit by 247Sports.com … a two-star recruit by Rivals.com and Scout.com … played football for the first time in 2013 and caught eight passes for 240 yards and three touchdowns in Fleming’s season opener at Fluvanna County … missed three games with injury in 2013 and still finished his first football season with 30 receptions for 617 yards and seven touchdowns on his way to making second-team All-Group 4A and second-team All-Timesland … caught 42 passes for 833 yards and eight touchdowns in 2014 … also rushed eight times for 118 yards and one touchdown … accumulated 23 tackles and one interception at the free safety position … also plays basketball.
David Eldridge
6-1 • 175 • WR
Bealeton, Va.
Kettle Run HS
Played wide receiver, defensive back and was a kickoff and punt returner at Kettle Run High School for head coach Jeff Lloyd … rated a three-star recruit according to ESPN.com, Rivals.com, Scout.com and 247Sports … graduated from Kettle Run with 16 school records, including career receptions (91), receiving yards (1,655) and receiving touchdowns (15) … during his three-year career at Kettle Run he scored 29 total touchdowns receiving, rushing, on punt returns, on kick returns and via interceptions … collected 45 receptions for 708 yards and three touchdowns in 2014 on his way to first-team All-Region 3A West at wide receiver … also a first-team honoree as a kick and punt returner … first-team All-State 3A East kick returner and punt returner … second-team All-State 3A East wide receiver … returned 11 punts for 297 yards and three touchdowns in 2014 … returned 14 kickoffs for 368 yards in 2014 … four career punt returns for a touchdown are also a school record … tied a school record with three kickoffs returned for a touchdown in 2013 … finished career with 28 kick returns for 793 yards for a 28.3 yards per return average … a two-time first-team All-Conference 27 wide receiver, kick returner and punt returner … second-team All-Region 3A defensive back in 2013 … finished career with 10 interceptions that he returned for 215 yards and four touchdowns … rushed 33 times in his career for 150 yards and three touchdowns … all-state performer in 2013 as a return specialist … second-team All-Region 3A East wide receiver and punt returner … spent freshman season at Liberty High School … son of David and Tina Eldridge … born in Sacramento, Calif. … has an older sister, Qiana Williams, who is a nurse in Las Vegas … cousin Mike Watts played college football at Tuskegee from 2011-13 … uncle, Ruben Jackson, played in the Detroit Tigers minor league system from 1985-89 … part of an organization called College Prep World that helps prepare high school student-athletes make the transition from high school into college … volunteers as a coach and instructor for Warrenton Wolfpack football camps.
Eric Gallon
6-2 • 220 • LB
Lakeland, Fla.
Lakeland Christian HS
Played linebacker and tight end at Lakeland Christian for head coach Wayne Peace … rated a three-star recruit by ESPN.com, Rivals.com, Scout.com … a two-star recruit by 247Sports … tallied 96 tackles, four sacks and one interception to help Lakeland Christian to an 11-2 record and an appearance in the 3A state semifinal round … also posted 44 solo tackles … honorable mention 3A all-state … was a second-team all-county selection by PolkPreps.com … spent first three years of high school at George Jenkins High School … as a junior at George Jenkins he finished with 83 tackles, 55 solo stops and 3.0 sacks … as a sophomore at George Jenkins he finished with 80 tackles, 50 solo stops and 2.0 sacks.
Kareem Gibson
5-11 • 160 • CB
Johnstown, Pa.
Greater Johnstown HS
Played cornerback and wide receiver at Greater Johnstown High School for head coach Tony Penna … rated a three-star recruit by ESPN.com, Scout.com, 247Sports … a two-star recruit by Rivals.com … tallied 23 tackles and one interception in 2014 … also caught 27 passes for 353 yards and three touchdowns … Class AAA first-team all-state honoree … Pennsylvania Football News first-team all-state.
T.J. Griffin
5-9 • 185 • CB
Virginia Beach, Va.
Ocean Lakes HS
Played cornerback and running back at Ocean Lakes High School for head coach Chris Scott … rated a three-star recruit according to ESPN.com, Rivals.com and Scout.com … a two-star recruit by 247Sports … helped Ocean Lakes to a 51-2 record over his final three seasons, including the 2014 state title … tallied 49 tackles, two interceptions and broke up nine passes as a senior in 2014 to help Ocean Lakes to a 15-0 record and the school’s first state championship … rushed 56 times for 665 rushing yards and nine touchdowns … caught four passes for 111 yards … first-team VHSL 6A all-state at defensive back … first-team All-Tidewater at defensive back … first-team All-Coastal Conference … high school teammates with fellow UVa signee Jahvoni Simmons.
Eli Hanback
6-4 • 275 • DT
Ashland, Va.
Patrick Henry HS
Played offensive line and defensive line at Patrick Henry High School for head coach Bryan Davis … four-year letterman for Patrick Henry … rated a three-star recruit by ESPN.com, Scout.com and 247Sports … a two-star recruit by Rivals.com … team captain as a junior and senior … first-team all-conference as a junior and senior … Conference 16’s Player of the Year … first-team all-metro and all-region in 2014 … second-team all-state … defensive and offensive team MVP as a junior … son of Don and Lisa Hanback … father, Don, played football at Bridgewater College from 1976-78 … involved in community outreach and took part in the Mission to Virginia through Beaverdam Baptist Church.
Nick Johns
6-4 • 215 • QB
Leesburg, Va.
Gonzaga College HS
Played quarterback at Gonzaga College High School for head coach Randy Trivers … rated a three-star recruit by ESPN.com, Scout.com, Rivals.com and 247Sports … completed 66 percent (101-of-155) of his passes for 1,366 yards and 12 touchdowns to help Gonzaga win the Washington, D.C. championship … played in the Offense-Defensive Senior Bowl … threw for 963 yards and five touchdowns in six games in 2013 before missing the remainder of the season with an injury.
Gladimir Paul
6-2 • 215 • LB
Philadelphia, Pa.
Northeast HS
Played defensive end at Northeast High School for head coach Phil Gormley … rated a three-star recruit by ESPN.com and 247Sports … a two-star recruit by Rivals.com and Scout.com … started all 30 games of his high school football career at defensive end for Northeast … team defensive MVP and Maxwell Award nominee (Pennsylvania Mini Max winner) … attended the US Army national combine … named All-Public League two years in a row … finished junior season with 21 sacks, the most in the Philadelphia Public League … also made 68 tackles as junior … son of Jules and Nerlande Paul … volunteered mentoring youth football players at the Bustleton Bengals Football Camp and the Fox Rok Ravens Football Camp … is currently the bass guitarist in the gospel music band “Divine Music” … previously was part of the gospel music band “One Faith” … was honored by the Philadelphia Eagles among talented high school city football players with a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
Grant Polk
6-6 • 300 • OL
Punta Gorda, Fla.
Charlotte HS
Enrolled in January to participate in spring practice … an offensive tackle at Charlotte High School for head coach Binky Waldrop … rated a three-star recruit by ESPN.com, Rivals.com, Scout.com and 247Sports … named an Associated Press first-team all-state 7A honoree … two-time honoree on the Charlotte Sun all-area team … twice named to the Sarasota Herald Tribune all-area team … named to the 2013 and 2014 Florida Athletic Coaches Association District 8 team … named team’s most valuable offensive lineman in 2014 … spent sophomore year of high school in North Carolina at Charles D. Owen High School where he also played defensive tackle and defensive end … also played baseball and basketball … son of Mike and Jeannine Polk … has an older brother, T. Crosland Polk … member of Young Life … enjoys fishing.
R.J. Proctor
6-4 • 295 • OL
Bealeton, Va.
Liberty High School
Played offensive tackle at Liberty High School for head coach Sean Finnerty … rated a three-star recruit by ESPN.com and 247Sports … a two-star recruit by Rivals.com … three-year varsity letterwinner … helped lead the Liberty High School rushing attack tally 4,788 rushing yards for a school record 342 rushing yards per game … was a 2014 first-team all-state honoree by VirginiaPreps … named a first-team All-Conference 22 offensive tackle in 2013 and 2014 … second-team VHSL all-state 4A as a senior… first-team All-Regional 4A North in 2014 … 2013 second-team All-Regional 4A … 2013 4A all-state underclass team … set the Liberty High School squat record at 585 pounds … also played defensive tackle in 2013 and 2014 and collected 40 tackles, 4.0 sacks, recovered three fumbles and forced another … also deflected two passes … son of Ronald and Rosalind Proctor … has three older sisters, Ronita, Shadonna and Kiera … from 2011-14 was a community service worker at the Annual Health Fair … has been a voting poll worker in primary and general elections for county council in Prince George County.
Myles Robinson
5-11 • 175 • WR
Olney, Md.
Our Lady of Good Counsel
Played wide receiver and cornerback at Our Lady of Good Counsel for head coach Bob Milloy … rated a three-star recruit by ESPN.com, Scout.com, Rivals.com and 247Sports … played in the 2014 Maryland National Guard Crab Bowl.
Chris Sharp
6-2 • 195 • RB
Princeton, N.J.
The Hun School
Played linebacker and running back at The Hun School for head coach Todd Smith … rated a three-star recruit by ESPN.com, 247Sports and Scout.com … a two-star recruit by Rivals … a four-year varsity letterwinner and team MVP in 2013 and 2014 … senior captain … 2014 Maxwell Award winner … 2014 MAPL Conference Offensive Player of the Year … NJ Prep first-team all-state … first-team all-area … 2014 Scholar Athlete Award … 2014 All-Mid-Atlantic Prep League … led the conference with 1,085 rushing yards on 81 carries and 19 rushing touchdowns … averaged 13.4 yards per carry … recorded 281 yards receiving with four touchdowns … as a junior was first-team All-MAPL, all-prep and All-Princeton Packet … on honor roll in 2013 and 2014 … a 2014 Red Shield Society Leader … son of Garry and Terri Sharp … has an older brother, Gary, and an older sister, Tyler … brother, Gary, played football at Johns Hopkins from 2010-12 … volunteers through the Sigma Beta Club for the Feed the Homeless program … also helps provide supplies to the Teen Mothers program in Burlington County, N.J. … enjoys reading Japanese Manga/Anime and playing the piano.
Dominic Sheppard
6-2 • 225 • LB
Miami, Fla.
Gulliver Prep
Played outside linebacker and fullback at Gulliver Prep High School for head coach Earl Sims, a three-year letterwinner Virginia as a linebacker … rated a three-star recruit by ESPN.com, Scout.com, Rivals.com and 247Sports.com … Florida High School Athletic Association second-team all-state at linebacker … Miami Herald AP Class 4A second-team all-state team at linebacker … played for the East team in the 2015 Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl in Carson, Calif. … tallied 90 tackles and one interception as a junior in 2013 … posted 55 tackles and five sacks for loss mainly as a defensive end in 2012 … also plays basketball at Gulliver Prep.
Jahvoni Simmons
6-1 • 240 • LB
Virginia Beach, Va.
Ocean Lakes HS
Played inside linebacker at Ocean Lakes High School for head coach Chris Scott … ESPN 300 recruit … ESPN.com’s No. 4 inside linebacker recruit … rated a four-star recruit according to ESPN.com, Rivals.com and Scout.com … a three-star recruit by 247Sports … played in the Under Armour All-American game … helped Ocean Lakes to a 51-2 record over his final three seasons, including the 2014 state title … tallied 73 tackles and three interceptions as a senior in 2014 to help Ocean Lakes to a 15-0 record and the school’s first state championship … also collected 12 tackles for loss despite missing three games with an injury … forced two fumbles, recovered two fumbles, and blocked two field goals and one punt … owns the Ocean Lakes’ career record for tackles with 423 … first-team All-Tidewater … defensive back of the year in the Coastal Conference … All-757 Defensive Player of the Year … made 157 tackles and 23 tackles for loss in 2012 as a sophomore … made 125 tackles and four interceptions in 2013.
C.J. Stalker
6-2 • 225 • LB
West Chester, Ohio
Lakota West HS
Enrolled in January to participate in spring practice … played middle linebacker at Lakota West High School for head coach Larry Cox … three-year letterwinner … rated a four-star recruit by Rivals.com … a three-star recruit by ESPN.com, Scout.com and 247Sports.com … finished high school career with 241 career tackles, 27 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks … owns school record for tackles in a season (139) and is second in career tackles … tied school records for solo tackles (13) and total tackles (21) in a game … Touchdown Club of Columbus Buckeye Blue Chip honoree … named to the USA Football International Bowl team … first-team Cincinnati Enquirer all-city … Journal News SW Ohio Defensive Player of the Year … AP SW Ohio first-team all-district … AP first-team all-state … Tri-State football first-team at linebacker … as a junior in 2013 was an AP SW Ohio honorable mention … Journal News first team … first-team All-Greater Miami Conference honoree … Tri-State football second-team at linebacker … also played basketball and ran track in high school … Greater Miami Conference All-Academic in football (2012-2014), basketball (2012 and 2013) and track (2013 and 2014) … son of Chris and Barb Stalker … has one older brother, Cole … his brother Cole currently plays football at at Findlay … earned Highest Academic Honors at Lakota West all four years in high school … volunteered with Athletes in Action, Animal Friends Humane Society and at Lakota West’s youth basketball and youth football camps … enjoys playing the guitar.
Juan Thornhill
6-1 • 180 • S
Altavista, Va.
Altavista HS
Played safety and quarterback at Altavista High School for head coach Mike Scharnus … rated a three-star recruit by ESPN.com, Scout.com, Rivals.com and 247Sports.com … Group 1A VHSL State Player of the Year and Group 1A VHSL Quarterback of the Year … first-team VHSL all-state defense … helped Altavista to back-to-back 1A state championships … rushed for the game-winning score, a 40-yard touchdown midway through the fourth quarter of the state championship game win over Essex High School … in the 2014 championship game he ran for two touchdowns and threw for another … he finished with 99 rushing yards and 100 yards passing in the state title game … News and Advance’s defensive football player of the year … intercepted five passes and averaged 35.5 yards per kick return … also plays basketball and has helped Altavista win two 1A state championships … has tallied over 1,000 career points for the basketball team.
James Trucilla
6-1 • 265 • DT
Erie, Pa.
Cathedral Prep
Played defensive tackle at Cathedral Prep for head coach Michael Mischler … rated a three-star recruit by ESPN.com, Scout.com, Rivals.com and 247Sports.com … tallied 40 tackles, 18 tackles for loss and 6.0 sacks in 2014 … first-team all-state Class AAA … twice named to the Erie Times-News District 10 All-Star team … named to the Pennsylvania Football News first-team all-state squad … helped Cathedral Prep to an 11-1 record and an appearance in the first round of the AAA state playoffs.
Steven Wright
6-4 • 235 • DE
Waycross, Ga.
Ware County HS
Played defensive end at Ware County High School for head coach Franklin Stephens … rated a three-star recruit by ESPN.com, Rivals.com and 247Sports.com … a two-star recruit by Scout.com … notched 21 tackles and 3.0 sacks in 2014 … helped Ware County to an 11-1 record and an appearance in the state championship’s round of 16 … first-team All-Region 3-AAAAA.
Olamide Zaccheaus
5-8 • 195 • RB
Philadelphia, Pa.
St. Joseph’s Prep
Played running back and defensive back at St. Joseph’s Prep for head coach Gabe Infante … rated a three-star recruit by ESPN.com, Scout.com, Rivals.com and 247Sports.com … averaged 7.0 yards per rush as he racked up 683 total rushing yards and nine rushing touchdowns in 2014 … also caught 29 passes for 388 yards and four touchdowns … named to the Philadelphia High School 2014 first-team Coaches’ All-Catholic team … Daily News first-team all-city … helped lead the Hawks’ offense to average 35.5 points per game en route to a Catholic League championship and an 11-3 record … part of USA Football’s 2015 International Bowl roster … ran track in the AAU Junior Olympics and made it to nationals from 2007 to 2010 … named pronounced Oh-lama-day Za-key-us.
