Catching Up With UVA Football Recruit Chris Glaser Jr.

University of Virginia football recruit Chris Glaser Jr. is the latest subject of our “Catching Up” feature.

Glaser Jr., a 6’4”, 270-pound offensive line prospect, flipped his commitment from Miami of Ohio to UVA on July 29. The standout rising senior is Solon High School’s (Solon, OH) starting left tackle, although he expects he’ll play guard at Virginia. He is rated a 3-star recruit by 247Sports.com.

Glaser Jr.’s mother is a native of American Samoa. His father, a Youngstown, Ohio, native, was stationed in Hawaii for 20 years while serving in the Navy. Glaser Jr. lived in Hawaii up until three years ago, when he moved to Solon. Having lived in Hawaii was a connection between the standout prospect and a few members of the Virginia staff. Offensive coordinator Robert Anae and running backs coach Mark Atuaia are both Hawaiian natives.

The future Virginia Cavalier comes from an athletic family, as his two older sisters — one is 23 and the other is 18 — starred in volleyball in high school. His eldest sister also captured a state championship in basketball, while his youngest sister is a true freshman on the women’s volleyball team at Clarion University.

Via Twitter direct message, Glaser Jr. discusses UVA, his family, football, and more in this feature.

When did the UVA staff begin recruiting you?

Chris Glaser Jr.: “It started back on the last week of spring recruiting. Coach Tujague came to Solon out of the blue to see if there was any talent. He saw me and immediately was interested from seeing me walk down the hallway.”

Did anything stand out to you with respect to how Coach Mendenhall and the rest of the Virginia coaches recruited you? Anything different from how other schools recruited you?

Chris Glaser Jr.: “It was never a rush for a decision or anything. They let me take my time in anything I did. They never badgered me about anything. They would contact me once in a while to show me that they were still very interested but never badgered me. Also Coach Tujague was the one to offer me, but when Coach Mendenhall Facetimed me, the whole coaching staff was there to celebrate and officially offer me.”

What do you remember from your first conversation with Bronco Mendenhall?

Chris Glaser Jr.: “He was a down-to-earth man. He was humbled about his opportunity. He can’t wait to win, but if nobody is on his side he is fine with going into the fight with just him and his team.”

Whether it was from Coach Mendenhall or anyone else on the staff, what message connected most with you and/or your family?

Chris Glaser Jr.: “They would take care of me. All of the coaches said this to me and my family. No matter what happens they will take care of me. It was sincere and honest, you could tell that each coach who said it really meant that they would care, love, and protect me to their best abilities. That was a huge reason to my commitment.”

How difficult of a decision was it for you to de-commit from Miami and commit to UVA?

Chris Glaser Jr.: “The decision to pick Virginia and disconnect ties with Miami was very difficult. I had great friendships, some were family, and to say goodbye was difficult but I knew that Virginia was overall better for myself. I love and respect the people of Miami but Virginia is my home.”

Has it been a dream of yours to play major college football? What sparked your interest in football?

Chris Glaser Jr.: “After my failed 8th grade season I became really disinterested with football, but my dad convinced me to try out for the team at Solon and I fell in love. When I played my first game and then got hurt at a practice, which sidelined me for 2 weeks, [it got] me even more interested because I hated the feeling of being on the sideline and would do anything it took to get back onto the field. So after that I would say playing in college was a huge goal of mine, and I would credit my interest of football to my dad.”

Do you play other sports?

Chris Glaser Jr.: “I played varsity basketball but I didn’t play last year because of some issues. I also throw discus and shot put. I’ve lettered in track since freshman year and lettered in basketball my sophomore year.”

Your size and athleticism stand out. What else do you think separates you from other linemen?

Chris Glaser Jr.: “I think what separates me from other players is that I’ve played against big boys when I have been small compared to them. I’ve played against a Michigan state commit at 225 pounds and did very well against him. So the attitude that it takes to go into big games and playing bigger opponents than myself and beating them is what separates me, because I don’t care who is lining up against me … I will beat him.”

What is your attitude like on the gridiron?

Chris Glaser Jr.: “I’m mostly calm for games. I think about my assignments, whether it’s blocking or pass setting and focus on technique. But I also can flip the switch very easily and get angry.”

What is your relationship like with UVA offensive line coach Garett Tujague?

Chris Glaser Jr.: “I have a great relationship with Coach Tujague. I love him. He’s a cool guy that anyone can get along with. He’s a best friend, a mentor, and the type of guy that I can tell him anything whenever I need to.”

What does Tujague like most about your game?

Chris Glaser Jr.: “He liked my killer instinct while still being able to staying calm in high pressure moments.”

When did you move to Ohio from Hawaii? How was the transition?

Chris Glaser Jr.: “I moved 3 years ago from Hawaii to Ohio. The transition was good. The only bad part was the first year we moved here it was one of the worst winters that Ohio has had in years. Other than that it was fairly good.”

What is most special to you in terms of your family background?

Chris Glaser Jr.: “What is most special to me is that everything that my parents have in their life and that they give me and my sister was earned not given, which is the same philosophy that [the Virginia coaching staff] has. My parents instill me with those philosophies that anything that I need, I should go out and get it. Also the sense of knowing where you come from is huge to me when I play. Because I’m not only playing for myself, but I’m playing for everyone in my family as well. Anything that I do reflects on them and I think that it gives you a sense of responsibility that not a lot of people have today.”

What is your most prized possession?

Chris Glaser Jr.: “That’s a tough question. I would have to say my wallet. It’s my dad’s wallet that he’s had for years and he gave it to me when I was young. I still use it to this day.”

One word to describe your personality would be?

Chris Glaser Jr.: “Goofy. I’m a goofy guy that likes to have fun.”

College or pro football?

Chris Glaser Jr.: “College.”

Favorite college growing up and why?

Chris Glaser Jr.: “Hawaii and Ohio state were my favorites. Ohio State because my dad was from Ohio and we would wake up at like 4 am just to watch the games because Hawaii time is 6 hours behind Ohio. And Hawaii because that’s the closest thing Hawaii has to a pro team.”

When you are not playing football, you are…

Chris Glaser Jr.: “Hanging out with family. That includes friends because I don’t have friends I have family.”

Favorite thing about Charlottesville?

Chris Glaser Jr.: “The weather. I’ve been told that it doesn’t snow as much and I love that!”

When your playing days are done, what do you want to do?

Chris Glaser Jr.: “Well I’m going to study chemical engineering at Virginia and hope to go into the oil business or energy business to help find a better/cleaner source of energy.”

Do you know what a Wahoo is yet?

Chris Glaser Jr.: “I was going to search it up and tell you but I honestly don’t know what a wahoo is. I’ve heard stories about where the saying Wahoowa came from but I don’t really know! Haha lol.”

How does it feel to be a UVA commit?

Chris Glaser Jr.: “It feels amazing. I honestly can’t wait to be on campus again and truly be a Cavalier.”