Kettle Run (Nokesville, VA) safety Mike Parker expected Saturday’s trip to UVa to be another typical recruiting visit. It turned out to be an eye-opening experience for the 6’4″, 210-pound junior.

“Virginia gave me probably the best impression of any program yet,” Parker said. “Mike London was late getting there, but I had time to talk with him before the basketball game. He definitely impressed me. The whole coaching staff was great. After we ate, they talked to us. I was sitting at a table with my teammate, (junior RB) Josh Tapscott. I talked with my recruiter, Anthony Poindexter. Coach Lazor came and talked to us, too. They gave me a big impression. I’m going down there [on February 25] for their other junior day. Definitely, some of the things they said and did hit home.”

The attention the Virginia coaches gave the recruits resonated with Parker.

“The fact that the coaches actually took us around and hosted us was big,” Parker said. “I’ve been to programs where interns take us around. Yesterday, the coaches took the time and showed us around everywhere. No one else but the coaches. That impressed me. They have great people there. Mike London is a great head football coach. He has a lot in store for the program. I asked some of the players there how they felt overall about the program. I asked one of the safeties, and he said this is the place he wants to be. He wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. It was great.”

...