Virginia football’s success on the graduate transfer front continued today, when former Missouri quarterback Marvin Zanders announced his commitment to the Cavaliers.
“Just committed to UVA! So excited for this new opportunity! #HoosRising #GoHoos #UVA,” Zanders announced via Twitter this afternoon.
Zanders plans to graduate from Missouri this spring before enrolling on Grounds. As a graduate transfer, the 6’1″, 185-pound signal caller will be eligible to play immediately. He has two years of eligibility remaining.
A dual-threat quarterback prospect out of Raines High School (Jacksonville, FL), Zanders, who totaled over 2,500 yards of offense each of his last two years of high school, chose Missouri over Duke, Florida, Georgia Tech, Iowa State, and Kentucky. He redshirted in 2014, which was his true freshman season, before playing in only one game his redshirt freshman campaign and eight games this past season as a redshirt sophomore. Zanders completed 10-of-12 passes for 114 yards and one touchdown and rushed 35 times for 198 yards and two scores for the Tigers in 2016.
Kurt Benkert, who started 10 of 12 games for the Hoos last season, returns for his final year of eligibility in 2017. Virginia’s 2017 quarterback depth chart is also expected to include redshirt freshmen Sonny Abramson and De’Vante Cross and true freshman Lindell Stone.
In addition to Zanders, Virginia has received commitments from a pair of Notre Dame offensive line grad transfers this offseason in Colin McGovern and John Montelus. Oklahoma State grad transfer offensive lineman Brandon Pertile also has UVA high on his list following a visit to Charlottesville this past weekend.
