Hoos Bolster WRs With Commitment, Transfer

UVa football has scored a verbal commitment from Warren Craft, a 6’2″, 185-pound senior wide receiver prospect out of William Fleming (Roanoke, VA). Several media outlets, including the Roanoke Times, have reported the commitment.

Virginia was the only major FBS school to extend a scholarship offer to Craft, who had serious interest from North Carolina and Virginia Tech. The Cavaliers now have 20 commitments — including two wide receiver prospects in Craft and Kettle Run (Nokesville, VA) all-state standout David Eldridge III — in the class of 2015.

Craft’s recruitment has certainly had its share of twists and turns. He committed to Virginia Tech’s men’s basketball program in the summer following his freshman year, when the Hokies were led by head coach James Johnson. When Buzz Williams took over the head job last spring, Craft no longer had a scholarship offer from the Hokies.

Craft has played on the varsity basketball squad throughout his William Fleming career, but he only decided to take up football as a junior. The decision was a good one. He impressed, putting his athleticism and speed on display, and Virginia football took notice and came through with a scholarship offer this past October, during Craft’s senior season.

As a junior, Craft hauled in 30 receptions for 617 yards and seven touchdowns in seven games. He missed three games due to an ankle sprain that season. Craft finished with 38 catches for 758 yards and eight touchdowns his senior year.

William Fleming varsity football coach Bobby Martin, who coached former Virginia Tech and New York Giants running back David Wilson at George Washington-Danville, sees Craft as a special talent on the gridiron.

“They have the same athletic skillset,” Martin said of Craft and Wilson. “I’ve seen David Wilson doing back flips the length of the field. I’ve seen Warren doing backflips down the field. David could triple jump 50 feet going into his senior year. Warren did 47 in the triple jump his sophomore year. David did indoor track but Warren focused on basketball. They have the same athletic skills. Warren can do anything on the football field. He played quarterback in elementary school and middle school. If he would have stayed at quarterback in high school he would probably be the next Michael Vick. When he was hurt last year, he threw on one foot 60 yards. He has a super skillset. His ceiling is so high.”

Thorpe Transfers To UVa

Craft, who plans to sign a letter of intent with Virginia in February and enroll this coming summer, wasn’t the only wide receiver to join the Cavalier football program last night. T.J. Thorpe announced via Twitter — the official release from UVa is now out —
that he is transferring from UNC to UVa for his final season of eligibility. Already a college graduate, Thorpe is eligible to play right away and could be a starter this coming season.

“We recruited T.J. very hard out of high school and are glad to finally have him join our program,” said Virginia coach Mike London in UVa’s official release. “He has a chance to come in and contribute immediately at both wide receiver and on special teams.”

The 6’0″, 200-pound Thorpe is a dangerous kick returner as well as receiver.