Virginia Football Notes: Cavaliers Officially Welcome Tony Poljan

The University of Virginia football program announced the signing of graduate-transfer tight end Tony Poljan on Friday (July 17). Poljan, a Second Team All-MAC selection last season, announced his verbal commitment to the Cavaliers one day earlier.

Poljan, who measures in at 6’7”, 258 pounds, signed with Central Michigan as a quarterback out of Lansing Catholic (Lansing, MI) in the class of 2016. He played in 12 or more games for the Chippewas each of the past three seasons, including last season, when he played 12 games in what was his first season as a full-time tight end. Poljan finished 2019 with 33 receptions for 496 yards and four touchdowns. He immediately becomes the favorite to become UVA’s starting tight end this season with redshirt sophomore Grant Misch poised to play a significant role as well.

Virginia Football Recruiting: New Class of 2021 Offers Go Out

Virginia extended at least three new scholarship offers in the class of 2021 this week, all to potential all-purpose running backs.

Ezra McAllister, a 6’0”, 180-pound athlete out of Marshall (MI), has verbally committed to Vanderbilt but announced a scholarship offer from the Hoos on July 16. He plays running back and safety for his high school team.

JP Martin, a 5’10”, 187-pound all-purpose running back out of Cypress Falls (Houston, TX), also claimed an offer from UVA on July 16. Martin, who pledged to Memphis on June 17, rushed for 1,481 yards and totaled 25 touchdowns last season as a junior. He revealed that UVA is his first ACC offer.

Neshoba Central (Philadelphia, MS) rising senior Jarquez Hunter claimed an offer from Virginia as well. The 5’10”, 185-pound Hunter reportedly holds offers from Auburn and Tennessee, and this spring he tweeted an offer from Vanderbilt.

UVA has one running back commitment in the class of 2021 in Amaad Foston, who is a power back. Think Jordan Ellis, but taller with more speed. In light of these latest offers as well as others that went out previously, it does appear as though Virginia would like to add an all-purpose type of player to go along with Foston.

UVA Football Recruiting on Twitter

If you follow Virginia football on Twitter, you know the drill by now. When there is a commitment – high school recruit or grad-transfer – Coach Mendenhall sends out the signal.

Once the player announces, Mendenhall sends out another tweet.

If a player has announced on Twitter, Coach Mendenhall will then retweet the commitment. Meanwhile, Virginia assistant coaches and staff are tweeting their reactions to the news. Friday’s pledge from 4-star offensive tackle Logan Taylor drew some entertaining tweets from the Cavalier staff.

Cavalier coaches had another reason to tweet on Friday night as the team returned to Scott Stadium.