UVa-bound cornerback Kareem Gibson posted a 4.59-second 40, a 4.21-second shuttle, and a 32.3-inch vertical leap at a Nike Combine in February of this year. The 5’10”, 170-pound rising senior, a product of Greater Johnstown High School in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, showed off his athletic abilities at Nike, but he says there is more to his game that separates him from other cornerback prospects out there.

“My understanding of the game and knowledge of recognizing a receiver’s route and the quarterback’s eyes,” Gibson said.

The Virginia coaches, Gibson feels, “Like the man I am becoming and the player they have to coach up. I will listen and do as they say and just as they ask. They just told me how much they would like to coach me up and help me become a better person and grow.”

Gibson also received scholarship offers Maryland and Pittsburgh, the latter being where his cousin, Larod Stephens-Howling, played football before moving on to a career in the NFL. His decision came down to UVa, Arizona and Penn State. PSU offered a gray-opportunity, meaning Gibson would delay enrollment until January of 2016, while Arizona was still evaluating.

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