Virginia Announces Signings Of Grad Transfer OL John Montelus, Brandon Pertile

The University of Virginia football program announced two graduate transfer additions to its depleted offensive line today.

The 6’4”, 300-pound Montelus is likely to play on the interior line. Pertile, who measures in at 6’5.5”, 315 pounds, told TheSabre.com previously that Virginia wants him to play right tackle. Both players have one season of eligibility remaining. As graduate transfers, they will be able to play this coming season.

Earlier this month, Virginia announced the additions of two other graduate transfers in Missouri quarterback Marvin Zanders and Notre Dame offensive lineman Colin McGovern.

Montelus, who signed with Notre Dame out of Everett High School in Massachusetts, earned U.S. Army All-American honors and was considered a top 75 overall prospect nationally by Scout.com (No. 51) and Rivals.com (No. 74). After redshirting he played in only six games in three seasons with the Irish, mostly playing offensive guard while also receiving a look on the defensive front. He played in only two games last season, his redshirt junior campaign.

Pertile, a graduate of Countryside High School (Clearwater, FL), began his college career at Georgia State, where he started four games as a true freshman. As a sophomore he attended Mesa Community College in Arizona, impressing early before missing most of the season with a torn ACL. He would use a redshirt that year. In 2015 Pertile transferred from Mesa CC to Oklahoma State. He played in three games the past two seasons with the Cowboys, receiving a look at all five offensive line positions.

The Wahoos signed a promising 5-prospect offensive line class in 2017. However, depth and experience at the position is lacking. The three graduate transfers can provide both, at the very least allowing some of the younger Cavalier offensive linemen time to develop.

Rising senior guard Jack McDonald and rising senior tackle Jack English are Virginia’s only two returning starters from last season’s line. Rising junior Jake Fieler (G/C/T) and rising sophomore RJ Procter (G) gained significant experience as part of the line rotation last season. UVA’s other four returning scholarship players, though, have little to no experience. Rising junior guard Steven Moss has played in only one game in his career, while rising sophomore tackle Ryan Bischoff is still waiting for his first action. Tackle Ben Knutson and guard/center Dillon Reinkensmeyer redshirted as true freshmen last season.