Three Class Of 2020 Football Recruits Set To Begin Their Virginia Careers

By: Chris Horne |

Donovan Johnson, Josh Rawlings, and Ira Armstead have arrived on Grounds and are set to start classes during the University of Virginia’s 2020 spring semester, which begins on Monday, January 13. The talented trio, pictured below (from left to right is Johnson, Rawlings, Armstead), signed with the Virginia football program last month.

Johnson, who graduated in December from Helen Cox High School in Harvey, Louisiana, is a 6’2”, 180-pound defensive back prospect. The consensus 3-star prospect played safety in high school and likely will play the same role in Charlottesville. He is one of five Louisiana natives Virginia has signed in the past two classes. UVA’s class of 2019 Louisiana haul consisted of running back Mike Hollins and wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks, who each played 10 or more games for the Hoos this season. Virginia got defensive in the Bayou state in the class of 2020, signing Johnson and a pair of outside linebackers in Jonathan Horton and Brandon Williams.

Rawlings is a graduate of Woodland Hills High School in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The consensus 3-star prospect chose the Hoos over the hometown Pittsburgh Panthers. He played tight end and defensive end in high school but is expected to play tight end at Virginia.

Rawlings has the size – he is listed as being 6’5”, 245 pounds – to contribute immediately, something Virginia may need him to do. Virginia’s starting tight end in 2019, Tanner Cowley, is out of eligibility and the Cavaliers are projected to return only two scholarship tight ends from 2019 in Grant Misch and Christian Baumgardner. The latter has played in three games since arriving on Grounds in 2016, while Misch played in all 14 games in 2019 and is the leading candidate to be UVA’s starting tight end in 2020.

Armstead is the lone signal caller of Virginia football’s 2020 Class. The Adams (South Bend, IN) grad fits the “Thorterback” mold of what Bronco Mendenhall wants at the quarterback position – a player who can make plays through the air and on the ground. The dynamic 6’3”, 200-pound signal caller discussed his decision to enroll early in this EDGE report posted last month.

“UVA is the best place for me because of the academics, what [UVA Quarterbacks Coach Jason] Beck has planned for me, the culture of the entire university, and the football family,” Armstead said. “I decided to come early just so I can get a head start and learn things ahead of time. It will help me have a better understanding of the playbook and will give me a head start with my classes.”

In addition to the three midyear enrollees, 10 more recruits signed with Virginia in the class of 2020 Early Signing Period. Another prospect – defensive lineman Lorenz Terry of Varina (VA) – is committed and hopes to sign in the Regular Signing Period, which begins on Wednesday, February 5. UVA could add another high school senior prospect or two during the Regular Signing Period and/or could look to the graduate transfer market this spring. Mendenhall has indicated wide receiver is a specific area of interest.

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