Virginia Football Recruiting Notes: RB Mike Hollins To Play For State Title

University Lab (Baton Rouge, LA), which features UVA-bound senior running back Mike Hollins, meets St. Thomas More (Lafayette, LA) for the Division II state championship Friday (December 7) afternoon in the Mercedes Benz Superdome.

Hollins and his Cubs teammates have rolled through the 2018 season up to this point, winning all 12 games by 22 points or more. In this state championship preview article by James Bewers of the Lafayette Daily Advertiser, St. Thomas More head coach Jim Hightower described the future Cavalier as “exceptional,” adding that he “definitely runs with the right attitude.”

Hollins, who chose UVA over SMU and Utah, has rushed for over 1,400 yards and 29 touchdowns in his final high school season. The Cubs boast one of the most talented high school teams in the nation, one that is ranked no. 16 in the latest USA Today Super 25.

Terry Decommits From Virginia

Virginia football’s class of 2019 dropped from 22 commitments to 21 on Thursday (December 6), when Blacksburg High School (VA) wide receiver/athlete Tiquest Terry announced that he had decommitted from the Cavaliers.

Blacksburg head coach Eddie Sloss told Robert Anderson of The Roanoke Times that Terry “felt like [decommitting from Virginia] was in his best interest.”

The 5’8”, 160-pound senior was a do-everything player for the Bruins, producing as a rusher, receiver, returner and on defense. He projected to play offense for the Cavaliers.

Virginia Extends New Offer In Class Of 2019

Led by special teams coordinator Ricky Brumfield, who joined Bronco Mendenhall’s staff last January, Virginia has been active in recruiting the state of Louisiana in the class of 2019. The Hoos made the aforementioned Hollins a priority and were able to gain a commitment. Now, coach Mendenhall has offered a scholarship to another Louisiana high school senior.

Plaquemine (LA) standout senior Dontayvion Wicks tweeted on Thursday (December 6) that Virginia has extended a scholarship offer. He also claims offers from New Mexico and Louisiana-Lafayette, among others. Wicks has taken an official visit to New Mexico.

Wicks, who has good size (6’3″, 200 pounds) and athleticism, has seen action at wide receiver, outside linebacker and quarterback (a Wildcat-type) this season. With Marques Hagans playing an active part in Virginia’s pursuit, it would seem as though the Cavaliers are eyeing Wicks as a receiver.

Rivals Rankings Week

Major national football recruiting outlet Rivals.com has dubbed this week as “Rivals Rankings Week.” In its latest class of 2019 team rankings, Virginia’s 2019 Class comes in at no. 30 in the nation, even with yesterday’s decommitment.

Three of UVA’s commits are rated on the 4-star level, including …

– Walnut Hill (Cincinnati, OH) defensive tackle Jowon Briggs, who is the no. 60 overall in the class of 2019, the no. 3 defensive tackle in his class, and the no. 2 overall prospect in Ohio in his class. Briggs is Virginia’s most highly rated recruit in the Bronco Mendenhall era.

– Gonzaga (Washington, D.C.) linebacker Hunter Stewart, who comes in as Rivals’ no. 14 outside linebacker in the class of 2019.

– Sharpsville (PA) star JaQuay Hubbard, who is Rivals’ no. 28 offensive tackle in 2019 and the no. 5 overall senior in Pennsylvania.