The University of Virginia’s football program received some positive news on the recruiting front late Thursday night, when Columbia High School (Decatur, GA) senior Eric Smith verbally committed to the Hoos. Smith, a 6’6″, 285-pound offensive line recruit, pledged to Virginia over offers from North Carolina, Wake Forest, and others.
Smith’s commitment provides a boost on several fronts. Since dismissing four assistant coaches in early December, the Hoos have been primarily in damage control mode, looking to keep previously committed players in the fold. And last weekend, New Jersey standout offensive lineman Brad Henson switched his pledge from UVa to UNC.
Henson’s decision left the Cavaliers with only two offensive line commitments in the class in offensive guard Sadiq Olanrewaju. Smith gives the Hoos another good looking athlete on the O-line. A right tackle for most of his high school career, the Peach State product seems likely to play tackle on the next level.
A solid student as well as a promising prospect, Smith carries a 3.2 GPA.
UVa now has 18 verbal commitments from current high school seniors. Max Valles , a tight end/defensive end prospect that originally signed with Virginia in the class of 2012, is expected to re-sign with the Hoos this coming February. 2012 defensive tackle recruit Tyrell Chavis signed with Virginia last February as well, but he is considering other schools including Connecticut and Virginia Tech.
Stay tuned to TheSabre.com for more on Smith in the coming days. In the meantime, check out his highlights below…
TheSabre’s Take: As mentioned above, Smith is a good looking athlete with a good frame at 6’6″, 285 pounds. He seems to play tough and to the whistle, which is obviously what you want in an offensive lineman. Tackle seems to be his likely spot, while Henson was a guard or center, so we’ll see if the Hoos try and add an interior line prospect with its remaining scholarships.
With Smith’s pledge, Virginia continues to pluck talent out of Georgia under head coach Mike London. London inked another Decatur (GA) product, Miles Gooch , in the class of 2010. In 2011 Virginia signed linebacker D.J. Hill , and in 2012 the Cavaliers scored quarterback Greyson Lambert .
