Three-star offensive lineman Chris Glaser Jr. has been a Miami of Ohio commitment since April. To the benefit of Bronco Mendenhall and the University of Virginia, he has had a change of heart.
“I would like to thank everyone at Miami for giving me a chance to play ball,” Glaser wrote in the Tweet below. “But after much consideration I have decided to decommit from Miami and commit to the University of Virginia! Thank you to everyone that has helped me through this journey, I WILL be a Cavalier!”
Let's Go HOOS!pic.twitter.com/0zahd5DBMc
— Chris Glaser (@Cglaser17) July 29, 2016
The Solon High School (OH) product’s decision comes on the heels of an unofficial visit he made to Charlottesville.
“I knew it was the place for me on my visit this week,” Glaser wrote in a Twitter direct message. “The players, the excellent education, the Polynesian background of the coaches, and the hard work and dedication that is being put into the program were my biggest factors.”
“I also picked Virginia because it has a true family essence. All coaches care about one another and the players,” Glaser continued. “I would say that the coaches and I have an amazing relationship. When I committed it wasn’t just me who committed, it was my whole family from both sides, the Polynesian side in particular. When the coaches were at BYU a Samoan kid was very common, but with me being committed I am the first Samoan kid committed to their class at Virginia. That’s a relationship that is different with me and the coaches that no other player has.”
Virginia now boasts 18 recruits in the class of 2017. Glaser is the fourth offensive line commitment, joining interior line prospects Harry Crider and Tyler Fannin as well as tackle Bryson Speas. The 6’4″, 268-pound prospect, a lineman with good quickness (he ran a 4.7-second shuttle at Nike’s The Opening Regional in Columbus), gives the Hoos another talented recruit at a huge position of need.
“Being that there was a huge need for [offensive linemen] was definitely a factor in my choice,” wrote Glaser, who played left tackle on a 9-3 Solon squad last season but feels he probably will play guard in college. “Coach Tujague told me, ‘He’ll play me when I’m ready to play.’ I would love to play my first year and I will work harder than anyone else to play my first year but if he feels that I’m not quite ready, I totally agree with his decision. Plus at the moment I’m only 16 and won’t turn 17 till October.”
Glaser, who is rated a 3-star prospect by 247Sports and Scout, also considered offers from Air Force, Bowling Green, Buffalo, Cincinnati, and Navy. Check out his junior season highlights below, but beforehand here is an updated look at UVA’s 2017 Class…
– 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)
– Chris Glaser Jr., OL, Solon (OH)
– Bryson Speas, OL, Dudley (Greensboro, N.C.)
– Mandy Alonso, DT, Gulliver Prep (Miami, FL)
– Tommy Christ, DL, Dominion (Sterling, VA)
– John Kirven, DE, Woodberry Forest (VA)
– Ryan Thaxton, DE, St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes (Alexandria, VA)
– Matt Gahm, LB, Highland Park (Dallas, TX)
– Joey Blount, FS, Landmark Christian (Fairburn, GA)
– Darrius Bratton, DB, Fork Union Military Academy (VA) via William Fleming (Roanoke, VA)
– Zachariah Burton, DB, Penn (New Castle, DE)
– Germane Crowell, DB, Carver (Winston-Salem, N.C.)
– Terrell Jana, ATH, Woodberry Forest (VA)
– Brian Delaney, PK, Westfield (Chantilly, VA)
