#HoosRising pic.twitter.com/Pd5hDOGeQf
— Ryan Swoboda (@ryan_swoboda) December 5, 2016
Virginia football’s first important recruiting weekend since the 2016 season ended has yielded a commitment. Offensive tackle prospect Ryan Swoboda, a senior out of Windermere Prep (FL), announced via Twitter that he will attend UVA.
“I’m extremely excited to announce that I am committing to the University of Virginia to continue my athletic and academic career,” Swoboda wrote in a tweet, which you can see in full by clicking here. His decision comes on the heels of an official visit to Charlottesville this past weekend.
“I would like to thank my parents who have supported me through this process, my coaches who have allowed me to excel as a player, and every college that recruited me,” he continued.
In an EDGE recruiting report posted last week, Windermere Prep head coach Jacob Doss said Virginia, which was the first school to offer the 6’10”, 265-pound Swoboda, had “an edge” over the competition heading into the weekend official. However, Doss admitted he wasn’t sure of his standout prospect’s decision timetable, if there was one at all.
South Florida and Dartmouth had also offered Swoboda and at least three FBS schools — Kentucky, NC State, Oregon State — were represented at Windermere last week for further evaluations. It appears, though, that Swoboda has found his future school, and based on what his coach said last week the decision is likely a solid one.
“Once he makes his decision, he’ll be all about it,” Doss said.
Virginia now boasts four offensive line commitments in the 2017 Class. Another commitment, Solon (OH) offensive guard/offensive tackle Chris Glaser Jr., was on Grounds as well for an official visit this past weekend. Center Tyler Fannin of Georgia and tackle Ryan Nelson of California round out the group. Look for the Cavaliers to try and add at least two more offensive line prospects to the fold before National Signing Day arrives.
At Doss’ urging, Swoboda first began playing football his sophomore year. His performance this season has not only resulted in major FBS scholarship offers, but also an invite to play in the 2016 Central Florida All-Star game on December 8.
“The kid started out playing basketball,” Doss said. “I begged him to play football his sophomore year and he did. He’s an athlete first, really. He has great hips. He can bend. This year, he found out how good he is. He traveled on a bus to camps and things like that. He said, ‘Coach. I’m beating a lot of 3 and 4-star guys.’ Once he got the confidence, he started doing it all the time. We move him from side to side. Whatever side he is on, we’re basically saying where we are going to run the ball. The defense will put their best player on him and he loves the challenge.”
Highlights of UVA’s newest recruit are below and are followed by a rundown of the Cavaliers’ 2017 Class, which now includes 22 prospects. Those with asterisks plan to enroll in January of 2017. Also stay tuned to TheSabre for more from Swoboda on his decision.
UVA’s 2017 Class
– Lindell Stone, QB, Woodberry Forest (VA)
*- Lamont Atkins, RB, Lake Braddock (Burke, VA)
– PK Kier, RB, Millbrook (Winchester, VA)
*- Jamari Peacock, RB, Yulee (FL)
– Darnell Pratt Jr., WR, Good Counsel (Olney, MD)
– Tyler Fannin, OL, Mill Creek (Hoschton, GA)
– Chris Glaser Jr., OL, Solon (OH)
– Ryan Nelson, OL, Buena Park (CA)
– Ryan Swoboda, OL, Windermere Prep (FL)
– Mandy Alonso, DT, Gulliver Prep (Miami, FL)
– Tommy Christ, DL, Dominion (Sterling, VA)
– John Kirven, DE, Woodberry Forest (VA)
– Matt Gahm, LB, Highland Park (Dallas, TX)
– Zane Zandier, LB, Thomas Jefferson (Jefferson Hills, PA)
– Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB/S, Bethel (Hampton, VA)
– Charles Snowden, LB/DE, St. Albans (Washington, D.C.)
– Joey Blount, FS, Landmark Christian (Fairburn, GA)
– Darrius Bratton, DB, Fork Union Military Academy (VA) via William Fleming (Roanoke, VA)
*- Zachariah Burton, DB, Penn (New Castle, DE)
*- Germane Crowell, DB, Carver (Winston-Salem, N.C.)
– Terrell Jana, ATH, Woodberry Forest (VA)
– Brian Delaney, PK, Westfield (Chantilly, VA)
