Kettle Run (Nokesville, VA) rising senior wide receiver David Eldridge III announced his college decision on Twitter this evening. The 6’1”, 165-pound prospect considered scholarship offers from Boston College, Illinois, Old Dominion and Wake Forest, among others, but he has verbally committed to Mike London and the University of Virginia.
I have officially decided to peruse my education and college football career at The University of Virginia! Truly blessed#wahoos #UVA
— David Eldridge (@DavidEldridge4) May 30, 2014
Eldridge III visited UVa for a Junior Day on March 1 and left with a very positive impression. Obviously, the first impression was also a lasting one.
“It was good to be around the coaches and players. It was nice to talk to them a lot,” Eldridge said in a March 24 article on the EDGE. “I liked the way practice was held. Coach Hagans, he kept it real. The wide receivers there were welcoming. I watched film and the spring practice. Mike London talked about the future of the program. I liked what he was saying.”
Eldridge totaled 1,426 all-purpose yards his junior season. At wide receiver, which is the position Virginia is recruiting him to play, he racked up 654 yards and nine touchdowns on 31 catches. A big-time contributor on special teams as well, the Kettle Run star averaged 37.1 yards per kick return and over 17 yards per punt return in 2013. Eldridge returned three kick-offs for scores and added a punt return for a touchdown. He also returned an interception for a touchdown.
“[College coaches] like my speed and hands,” said Eldridge, who ran an electronically-timed 4.60-second 40 and a 4.13-second shuttle at the 2014 Nike Football Training Camp in Northern Virginia. “They like my film and they like that I am good as a kick returner and punt returner. I know my weakness right now is route running, but I’m working hard to improve that this offseason.”
UVa now boasts four Class of 2015 commitments, including three offensive players – Eldridge, quarterback Nick Johns and offensive lineman Ryan Bischoff. Altavista (VA) standout Juan Thornhill is being recruited as a free safety.
Stay tuned to TheSabre.com for more on this latest recruiting development.
