Heralded QB Abramson Chooses Hoos

UVa is looking for some good news on the field tonight, when the Hoos host Miami in Scott Stadium. Coach Mike London and company scored some good news off the field this afternoon, though, receiving a commitment from Pope John Paul XXIII (Sparta, N.J.) junior quarterback Sonny Abramson.

Pope John XXIII head coach Brian Carlson knew the 6’3″, 210-pound prospect was leaning toward committing this weekend.

“I talked to the family the other day and they feel [UVa] is a good fit academically,” Carlson said. “They are a little concerned about the coaching staff. They planned to go down, watch the game, get the experience, and if things go well he would probably commit to the coach on Sunday.”

Abramson chose Virginia over Vanderbilt and Wake Forest. He received offers from all three finalists as well as Colorado, Duke, Iowa, Rutgers, South Florida, Syracuse, and Temple. Virginia offered this past April, when offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Steve Fairchild saw the standout signal caller throw during Pope John Paul XXIII’s spring practice. Virginia reportedly offered on the spot.

Abramson shined as a freshman starter on the varsity, throwing for 2,137 yards and 20 touchdowns. He followed up by throwing for 2,701 yards and 34 touchdowns his sophomore season (sophomore highlights are below). Abramson earned MaxPreps Freshman All-American honors as a freshman and is currently rated a 4-star prospect by 247Sports.

“He came in and started as a freshman. He had a great year that first year. Last year, in the state finals he lit it up. This year we knew we would be struggling. We moved up in competition. It was a tough year, but he’s a tough kid mentally,” said Carlson, whose team went 5-5 in 2014.

“He’s a great kid. He’s smart. He has a great GPA.”

Carlson describes Abramson as “more of a West Coast guy. He throws the ball well. He loves checking defenses. He’s not a dual-threat type of guy.”

Virginia’s class of 2016 now consists of three players, all offensive prospects. In addition to Abramson, junior wide receivers Cole Blackman and Joseph Reed have also pledged to the Hoos.