Virginia Football Stays Hot, Lands 3-Star Tight End Josh Rawlings

A humble and thankful Josh Rawlings, a rising senior out of Woodland Hills High School (Pittsburgh, PA), announced his verbal commitment to the University of Virginia on Sunday night. The 3-star tight end prospect gives UVA football its fourth commitment since last Sunday (June 16) and nine recruits in total in the class of 2020.

The 6’6”, 235-pound prospect took to Twitter to announce his decision.

“Before my freshman year if you were to tell me that I’d have the opportunity to choose amongst an exclusive list of universities to receive a free education, I wouldn’t have believed you,” Rawlings wrote. “By the grace of God I’ve been blessed ABUNDANTLY these past 3 years. With that my mother has also been a catalyst for current success, sacrificing things for me everyday. Coach Tim, Reese, Johnson, Tomiselli, my coaches at Woodland Hills push me to be my best every day! My father passed away at the age of 3 so those guys show me what it means to be a man. Last but not least my teammates and whoever has supported me, doubted me, motivated me, I thank you because it made me into the player and young man I am today. A huge thank you to all of the college coaches who have believed in me enough to give me an opportunity to play for their program; I truly appreciate it!

“My recruitment is officially closed after today,” Rawlings added before stating …

“Now with that being said, I am excited to announce that I will be continuing my athletic and most importantly my ACADEMIC career at The University of Virginia!! #Hoosrising #WaHooWa #LittyVille”

Rawlings’ extensive scholarship offer list featured schools from the ACC, Big 10, Big 12 and SEC. The list included Indiana, Iowa State, Maryland, Minnesota, Pittsburgh, Rutgers, Syracuse, Vanderbilt, Virginia and West Virginia. He told Pittsburgh Sports Now that his decision ultimately came down to Pittsburgh, Vanderbilt and Virginia, and indicated that the official visit – he traveled to Charlottesville for an official last weekend – made the difference.

Rawlings, who also plays defensive end at his high school, is rated by 247Sports and Rivals as a 3-star recruit and among the top 15 players in the state of Pennsylvania. 247Sports ranks the promising prospect as the no. 35 tight end in the nation and the no. 12 overall player in Pennsylvania in the class of 2020.

Virginia has now landed a Pennsylvania prospect in each of Bronco Mendenhall’s first four full recruiting classes as Cavalier head coach. Rawlings, who can sign an official letter of intent in December, will be the latest, joining 4-star offensive tackle Ja’Quay Hubbard from the class of 2019, offensive guard Derek Devine from the class of 2018, and linebacker Zane Zandier from the class of 2017.

Safety Donovan Johnson, linebacker Sam Brady, dual-threat quarterback Ira Armstead and Rawlings have committed to the Hoos since last Sunday.

Virginia Football’s 2020 Class

– Ira Armstead, Dual-Threat Quarterback, Adams (South Bend, IN)
– Sam Brady, Linebacker/Athlete, North Lincoln (Denver, N.C.)
Jahmeer Carter, Defensive Lineman, Archbishop Spalding (Severn, MD)
Jimmy Christ, Offensive Lineman, Dominion (Sterling, VA)
– Ja’Darius Clark, Defensive Back, Alexandria (LA)
Lavel Davis Jr., Wide Receiver, Woodland (Dorchester, S.C.)
– Donovan Johnson, Safety, Helen Cox (Harvey, LA)
– Jestus Johnson, Offensive Lineman, Gonzaga College (Washington, D.C.)
– Josh Rawlings, Tight End, Woodland Hills (Pittsburgh, PA)