Top Placekicker Hunter Pearson Commits To Virginia

Virginia head football coach Bronco Mendenhall extended a scholarship offer to Seneca (S.C.) star kicker Hunter Pearson last month. Today, the 6’4″, 190-pound rising senior announced that he has accepted Coach Mendenhall’s offer.

“I couldn’t be happier to announce that I am 100% committed to play football at the University of Virginia,” Pearson wrote in the tweet below.

Pearson, who becomes the 10th player to commit to the Wahoos in the class of 2018, is ranked by Kohl’s Kicking as a 5-star prospect and the no. 5 placekicker in the nation in his class. Kohl’s describes the newest Cavalier as follows …

Pearson recently attended the 2017 Underclassman Challenge. He is close to challenge for the top spot on field goals and kickoffs in the 2018 class. The ball jumps off his foot and with continued refinement in his kickoffs, could very well be the best kickoff guy in the 2018 class. His punts were solid, his frame and athleticism are superior to most athlete. He will be someone to watch over the upcoming year as he sets himself apart by making field goals when the pressure is on him.

Virginia has certainly addressed the kicking game in each of the past two classes. Last year, the Hoos inked former Westfield (Chantilly, VA) star Brian Delaney, who was ranked the No. 1 punter and the No. 18 placekicker in his class by Kohl’s. Delaney is expected to compete at both punter and placekicker for the Cavaliers this coming season; however, going by the Kohl’s rankings, punting is Delaney’s strength.

Check out several videos of Pearson below. The first is a video produced by Kohl’s Kicking. The second is junior season highlights, courtesy of Hudl.