Virginia Football Scores Commitment From Alabama 3-Star CB Micah Gaffney

By: Chris Horne |

University of Virginia football defensive coordinator/defensive backs coach Nick Howell has good reason to celebrate, as UVA is the pick for 3-star cornerback prospect Micah Gaffney. The Spanish Fort (AL) junior announced his college choice via Twitter.

“First off, I want to thank God for giving me the ability to work hard and push myself for the game I love,” Gaffney wrote in the tweet below. “I want to thank my coaches throughout the years for giving me countless opportunities, and mentoring me on and off the field. Also my teammates, you guys helped make me into the player I am, and I cannot thank you guys enough for it. To all the schools who have shown interest, it was a true blessing to build relationships with you guys along this process. Finally, I want to thank my parents for always believing in me and showing me that with God all things are possible. Thank you for being by my side through this decision.

“Having said that, I am extremely blessed and excited to announce that I am committed to The University of Virginia!!.”

Virginia gets the commitment over a handful of SEC offers, including Mississippi, Mississippi State, Missouri and Texas A&M. The 6’1”, 160-pound standout also claimed scholarships from Duke, Georgia Tech, Indiana, Kansas, South Alabama and Troy. Earlier this month he revealed a top seven of Georgia Tech, Indiana, Kansas, Mississippi, Mississippi State, Missouri and Virginia.

“[Gaffney] said his mind is made up, and he feels good about it,” Spanish Fort head coach Ben Blackmon told AL.com’s Ben Thomas in this report. “Virginia is an exceptional school, and grades are important to him. Coach Mendenhall and those guys have done a great job turning that program around.”

Gaffney is rated a 3-star cornerback prospect by national recruiting outlets 247Sports and Rivals. Rivals ranks the talented defender as the no. 32 junior in Alabama, while 247Sports has him as the no. 34 junior in his home state and the no. 92 cornerback in the class of 2021.

As a junior last season, Gaffney helped Spanish Fort (9-5) reach the Class 6A state championship game. He returned a blocked field goal 96 yards to set up a go-ahead touchdown for the Toros in the fourth quarter (this highlight is on the first play of his video below). However, Oxford High scored the game winning touchdown and extra point in the final minute to capture a 14-13 victory.

Virginia Football’s Class Of 2021

Virginia football is on a roll in class of 2021 recruiting, reeling in four commitments in the past seven days. The Hoos now boast nine commitments in the class. Gaffney, who is listed on his Hudl and Twitter profiles as being 6’1” but listed as being 6’0” by Rivals and 247Sports, shows really good quickness and acceleration in his highlights. He is a cornerback all the way, giving the Hoos two potential corners in this class along with William Simpkins III, who pledged last Friday.

– Jesiah Davis, Wide Receiver, Providence Day (Charlotte, N.C.)
– Malachi Fields, Athlete, Monticello (Charlottesville, VA)
– Amaad Foston, Running Back, John Milledge Academy (Milledgeville, GA)
– Micah Gaffney, Cornerback, Spanish Fort (AL)
– Langston Long, Safety/Linebacker, Christ School (Arden, N.C.)
– Josh McCarron, Outside Linebacker, Archbishop Murphy (Everett, WA)
– Jacob Rodriguez, Dual-Threat Quarterback, Rider (Wichita Falls, TX)
– William Simpkins III, Defensive Back, Quince Orchard (Gaithersburg, MD)
– Jay Woolfolk, Dual-Threat Quarterback, Benedictine (Richmond, VA)