At least six uncommitted recruits are expected on grounds for official visits this weekend. Those recruits scheduled to be in Charlottesville include Vance (Charlotte, N.C.) DB Rico Bell , Prince George (VA) LB John Bivens , Blue Ridge DB Greg Davis, Fork Union Military Academy WR Jacoby Ford, Meadowbrook (Richmond, VA) OLB/DE John Graves and Scotland (PA) DB/LB Greg Robinson .
Kenny Britt , a 6-4, 185-pound wide receiver recruit out of Bayonne (N.J.), was trying to schedule his official visit to Virginia for this weekend as well. As of now, we have not been able to confirm whether Britt will be in Charlottesville.
Stay tuned as TheSabre.com follows up on each of the official visitors and their official visit experiences. No doubt Virginia would love to get a commitment (and needs to), although the coaching situation could be a hurdle to overcome. Virginia is very high on the lists of all of these prospects, with Greg Robinson perhaps being the least likely to land of the group. If Virginia gets some verbals this weekend, Rico Bell and John Bivens are the likely possibilities.
The Visitors…
Rico Bell , DB, 5-11, 185, 4.4
Vance (Charlotte, N.C.)
Primary Recruiter: Mike Groh
Bell is a fast player who could end up at cornerback or safety on the next level, with corner being the probable position at this point. He plays for Jeff Simpson, who was an assistant coach at Southern Durham last year (Mo Covington and Brandon Woods ’ former school).
Bell made an unofficial visit to UVa for the Florida State game, with the Cavs coming away as the leader following the experience. He could commit if he has an excellent experience this weekend, but it is not a certainty. Clemson, N.C. State and Tennessee likely would get official visits if Bell does not make a decision this weekend.
John Bivens , LB, 6-2, 215, 4.6
Prince George (VA)
Primary Recruiter: Mike Groh
Bivens is a talented, athletic recruit. After playing as a sophomore, he decided to focus solely on baseball as a junior and didn’t play football that year. He decided to the return to the gridiron for his senior season and the Virginia coaches loved what they saw on film. Although he played safety this season, he is being recruited as a linebacker (the position he played as a sophomore).
Bivens is receiving a lot of interest recently from N.C. State. The North Carolina native said he may take a visit to NCSU before or after his official next weekend, but there is a chance he ends his recruitment this weekend and commits to the ‘Hoos. He likes Al Groh a lot, so it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him make a decision.
Greg Davis, DB, 6-3, 195, 4.5
Blue Ridge School
Primary Recruiter: Mark D’Onofrio
Greg Davis is an important recruit for several reasons. He would give the ‘Hoos a top 15 in-state commitment but, more importantly, would add more versatility and speed to the defensive backfield. One sticking point between Virginia and “Hollywood” could be position – he wants to play cornerback and Virginia really likes him as a safety. Just how big of a factor this will turn out to be is the question right now, but we may have some answers after next weekend.
The top contenders here include Nebraska (OV on September 30th), N.C. State (OV on December 9th) and West Virginia (OV in January ). Greg plans to visit NCSU and West Virginia before committing.
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Jacoby Ford |
Jacoby Ford, WR, 5-9, 175, 4.19
Fork Union Military Academy
Primary Recruiter: John Garrett/Danny Rocco
Ford, who possesses blazing speed, has become one of Virginia’s top targets at the wide receiver position. He has been to Virginia quite a few times this fall for games, so this will certainly not be his first visit to Virginia. The Cavs were the first school to offer.
Following the Virginia visit, Ford, who has taken an official visit to Michigan State, will head to Virginia Tech (12/09) and Clemson (12/16). He hopes to make a decision about two weeks before signing day and claims no favorites at this point.
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John Graves , OLB/DE, 6-3, 240, 4.7
Meadowbrook (Richmond, VA)
Primary Recruiter: Mike Groh
Virginia offered Graves on the first day it could officially offer juniors and there is no question he is important part of this year’s class. At this point, Graves could be Virginia’s best shot at landing a top 10 recruit in the state of Virginia.
Had John committed in August (as he was thinking seriously about doing), Virginia would have been the choice. Virginia Tech has been able to get back into this race and it will be a close call as to where the Meadowbrook standout ends up. Right now, I give the edge to Virginia but Virginia Tech will get its chance to impress next weekend. Expect a decision before Christmas.
Greg Robinson , LB/S, 6-3, 205, 4.55
Scotland School (Scotland, PA)
Primary Recruiter: Bob Price
Robinson was offered on an unofficial visit to UVa earlier this fall. Virginia is in the mix here, but Penn State may be the team to beat at this point and he also has a former teammate at Wisconsin. Robinson, a 6-3, 205-pound prospect who played quarterback and defensive end this year, projects as either a safety or outside linebacker.
After UVa, Robinson has official visits scheduled to Wisconsin (12/09) and Rutgers (12/16). He has been to Penn State many, many times, so an official visit there may not be necessary for a decision.
Other key visits…
Brad Kanuch, a 6-0, 175-pound athlete out of Westmont Hilltop (Johnstown, PA), is making his official visit to Maryland this weekend. A decision could come soon after, as Kanuch appears to be down to the ‘Hoos and the Terps. He really enjoyed his official visit to Virginia for the Georgia Tech game, but Maryland still has a shot.
