The University of Virginia football program has lost a commitment at its biggest need position in 2017 Class recruiting.
Columbus East (Columbus, IN) rising senior offensive lineman Harry Crider pledged to the Cavaliers back on June 23, but a scholarship offer from home state Indiana University swayed the 6’4″, 255-pound lineman to stay close to home and head to the Big 10. Crider, who was an interior offensive line recruit for the Hoos, announced his decision via Twitter.
“I would like to thank the Virginia coaching staff for believing in me, but after consideration I have decided to decommit from the University of Virginia and commit to Indiana University,” Crider wrote.
Crider’s flip leaves UVA with 18 commitments in total, including three offensive line recruits. Center/guard Tyler Fannin, guard Chris Glaser Jr., and tackle Bryson Speas are the three offensive line recruits. Including those commitments, Virginia currently projects to have only 11 scholarship offensive linemen in the 2017 season.
Projected Offensive Line Scholarship Breakdown, 2017 Season
TACKLES: Jack English (Senior), Ryan Bischoff (Sophomore), Ben Knutson (R/S Freshman or Sophomore), Bryson Speas (2017 Class Commit)
GUARDS & CENTERS: Jack McDonald (OG, Senior), Steven Moss (OG, Junior), Jake Fieler (OG/OT/C, Junior), RJ Proctor (C, Sophomore), Dillon Reinkensmeyer (OG/C, R/S Freshman or Sophomore), Tyler Fannin (C/OG, 2017 Class Commit), Chris Glaser Jr. (OG, 2017 Class Commit)
Assuming there are no more flips, look for Virginia to try and add at least three more offensive recruits in this class.
Tujague’s Offensive Line Recruiting Philosophy
New UVA offensive line coach Garett Tujague hinted at his recruiting philosophy in Monday’s teleconference.
“The smaller you are, the more athletic you’re going to be,” Tujague said. “I’d much rather recruit players who are 245 or 255 pounds and lean and long as opposed to guys having to trim fat in year one. I’d rather have guys who are 295 pounds in their fifth year of college, being athletic and able to move.”
Current commits Fannin, Glaser Jr. and Speas measure in at 6’3″, 290 pounds, 6’4″, 270 pounds, and 6’4″, 265 pounds, respectively.
Commitment Cookout
UVA football will host a “Commitment Cookout” this Saturday, August 20. Stay tuned to TheSabre.com for reaction from the event, which, as you might expect given the name, will be attended by Virginia’s 2017 Class commitments. Carver (Winston-Salem, N.C.) cornerback recruit Germane Crowell Jr. told TheSabre.com that he plans to attend the event, which is one day after his team’s regular season opener against Dudley (Greensboro, N.C.). Dudley features aforementioned offensive line commit Bryson Speas, a friend of Crowell’s.
Pratt’s Track Accomplishments
UVA’s most recent commitment, Good Counsel (Olney, MD) rising senior wide receiver Darnell Pratt Jr., is accomplished on the track as well as the gridiron. The 6’3″, 170-pound prospect is the reigning WCAC 100-meter champion, posting a time of 10.85 seconds in the varsity final this past spring. In addition, Pratt captured the 2016 WCAC 400-meter title and helped Good Counsel win the 4X200 relay event. He came close to winning the 200-meter title, too, finishing second in that event by just .11 seconds.
