PK/P Brian Delaney, OL Bryson Speas Join Virginia’s Class of 2017

In one week’s time, the Virginia football program has received five verbal commitments in the class of 2017. Bronco Mendenhall now boasts 12 commitments in total in the class, his first full recruiting class as Cavalier head coach.

Westfield (Chantilly, VA) placekicker/punter Brian Delaney and Dudley (Greensboro, N.C.) offensive lineman Bryson Speas verbally committed today. Delaney is fresh off of Virginia’s Hoos Rising Specialist Camp, which took place yesterday. Guest Camp Co-Director was Kohl’s Professional Kicking Camps head Jamie Kohl, who describes the 5’11”, 200-pound Delaney as follows:

Delaney has proven at multiple Kohl’s events that he has D1 talent on KO’s and punts. He won the UC Challenge in Jan of 2016 by averaging almost 7 yards more per KO than his closest competitor. His KO’s are different than other very good 2017 players and his punting is very consistent and impressive. He drives the ball as far as anyone in the 2017 class in punting. His FG off the ground are improving but not quite at the same level as his KO’s and punts. He can be weapon at the D1 level year one.

Delaney earned VHSCA Group 6A first-team all-state honors at placekicker and punter his junior season, when he helped the Bulldogs to a 6A state championship. He averaged 45 yards per punt in 38 tries and was successful on 11 of 17 field goal attempts, including a 49-yarder, in the 2015 season. Showing off a strong leg, Delaney booted 73-percent of his kick-offs for touchbacks last season and 78-percent his sophomore year.

Speas, who measures in at 6’4″, 260 pounds, received a scholarship offer from UVA on February 23 of this year. He has since made several visits to Charlottesville, ultimately choosing the Hoos over offers from East Carolina, Marshall and Appalachian State, among others.

“Honored and blessed to announce that I will be furthering my education and football career at the University of Virginia. I’d like to thank God, my family, friends, teammates, and coaching staff for all their support. #HoosRising” – Speas wrote in this tweet.

Speas is the third offensive line commitment in Virginia’s 2017 Class, joining Tyler Fannin and Harry Crider. Crider announced his commitment to the Cavaliers yesterday. Linebacker Matt Gahm committed last Sunday and running back PK Kier pledged to the Hoos last Friday. With Speas and Delaney in the fold, Virginia’s 2017 Class now looks likes this:

Lindell Stone, QB, Woodberry Forest (VA)
Lamont Atkins, RB, Lake Braddock (Burke, VA)
PK Kier, RB, Millbrook (Winchester, VA)
Harry Crider, OL, Columbus East (Columbus, IN)
Tyler Fannin, OL, Mill Creek (Hoschton, GA)
Bryson Speas, OL, Dudley (Greensboro, N.C.)
Tommy Christ, DL, Dominion (Sterling, VA)
Matt Gahm, LB, Highland Park (Dallas, TX)
Joey Blount, FS, Landmark Christian (Fairburn, GA)
Zachariah Burton, DB, Penn (New Castle, DE)
Germane Crowell, DB, Carver (Winston-Salem, N.C.)
Brian Delaney, PK, Westfield (Chantilly, VA)