Fork Union Military Academy (VA) place-kicker Holland Corbett and Dillard (Fort Lauderdale, FL) linebacker prospect Kenneth Ruff have signed grant-in-aid papers with the University of Virginia, head coach Mike London announced earlier today.
Corbett, a 2015 Western Albemarle (Charlottesville, VA) graduate, originally committed to the Cavaliers as a recruited walk-on; however, instead of enrolling on Grounds this past summer or fall, he decided to do postgraduate work at FUMA. Virginia ultimately offered a full scholarship to the 6’0″, 170-pound prospect, who will be part of the competition to replace the current starter at placekicker, senior Ian Frye.
A first-team Group 3A all-state selection his senior season, Corbett booted 11 field goals his junior and senior seasons combined.
Ruff, a 6’1″, 235-pound senior, is part of a wave of players Virginia has recruited from the state of Florida the past two classes. Four true freshmen — DE Naji Abdullah, LB Eric Gallon, OL Grant Polk and LB Dominic Sheppard — signed with the Hoos in the class of 2015. Four more — Ruff, CB/WR Deedrick Daniels Jr., WR Neru NShaka and RB Laderrien Wilson — have committed to UVa in the class of 2016.
Ruff sees action at linebacker and defensive end at Dillard. He expects to start out at middle linebacker for the Cavaliers, though.
“[The Dillard coaches] use me at defensive end and linebacker for pressure on the quarterback as well as dropping into coverage,” said the 3-star Ruff, who reportedly also held offers from Georgia Tech, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisville, North Carolina and NC State. “UVa is recruiting me at the middle linebacker position, which is really my first position.”
Coach London announced earlier this month that tight end Christian Baumgardner, tailback Tre Harbison and Liberty Christian Academy (Lynchburg, VA) outside linebacker/defensive end Matt Terrell signed grant-in-aid papers with Virginia. FBS programs are allowed to enroll 25 players in a given class, but with five players planning to enter next spring, the coaches have extra flexibility to add more class of 2016 prospects.
