Virginia Football Set To Host Next Wave Of Top Class Of 2022 Targets

By: Chris Horne |

Virginia football scored one commitment from last weekend’s round of official visitors, landing a pledge from Texas defensive lineman Anthony Holmes Jr. The next wave of class of 2022 official visitors comes this weekend, and the group includes three UVA class of 2022 commitments.

OFFICIAL VISITORS, JUNE 11-13

Fisher Anderson, OL, Franklin (TN)

The 6’7”, 275-pound Anderson took an official visit to Northwestern last weekend and plans to take an official to UVA this weekend. He toured UVA unofficially (without coach interaction because of the dead period) this spring. UVA already has commitments from two prospects from the state of Tennessee in this class, and both plan to be on Grounds as well this weekend. Anderson reportedly wants to take officials to UNC and Stanford to close out June. He toured Chapel Hill this spring as well.

Davis Lane, QB, Liberty Christian Academy (Lynchburg, VA), UVA COMMIT

Although he was not on Grounds at the time, class of 2022 quarterback Davis Lane announced his commitment to the Hoos last Saturday. He plans to return to Grounds for the first time since June 1, when he earned a scholarship offer from Bronco Mendenhall following a workout.

Karson Gay, TE, Boyd Buchanan (Chattanooga, TN), UVA COMMIT

The first prospect to commit to “Hoos22” returns to Grounds this weekend. Gay, an impressive tight end prospect with a 6’6”, 225-pound frame, has been active in terms of pursuing other recruits to join him. That figures to continue this weekend, but he no doubt also looks forward to being able to interact with coaches and players in person for the first time.

Eli Hall, DL, Crest (Shelby, N.C.)

Virginia landed promising defensive lineman Anthony Holmes Jr. last weekend. The 6’5”, 250-pound Hall is another of UVA’s top defensive line targets in the class. He took an official visit to Wake Forest last weekend, heads to Charlottesville this weekend, and finishes out the month with officials at Minnesota and Duke. Hall seemed to indicate via Twitter that he will make his college commitment July 21.

Amari Jackson, DB, Eagle’s Landing Christian Academy (McDonough, GA)

Boston College, Central Florida, Duke, Georgia Tech, Miami, Michigan State, Minnesota, Mississippi State, Nebraska, NC State, Northwestern, South Carolina, Vanderbilt and Wake Forest are among the other scholarship offers the Peach State defensive back is considering. His June schedule includes officials at Northwestern (June 4-6), UVA this weekend, and, reportedly, Boston College June 18-20.

Jake Maikkula, OL, Valor Christian Academy (Highlands Ranch, CO)

If he committed, Maikkula would be the second Valor Christian Academy product to play for Virginia in the Mendenhall era, joining fellow offensive lineman Dillon Reinkensmeyer. California, Colorado, Duke, Kansas State, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska and Virginia are the finalists for the 6’5”, 265-pound rising senior, who has visited Missouri unofficially and California officially so far this month. He is scheduled to go to Colorado next weekend and Duke the final weekend in June.

Trey McDonald, LB, Baylor (Chattanooga, TN) UVA COMMIT

McDonald transferred to Baylor School ahead of last season but hails from Hartland, Wisconsin. The 6’4”, 225-pound prospect is being recruited by the Hoos as a linebacker – whether it is inside or outside is yet to be determined. He called UVA a “dream-worthy” school following his commitment.

Jaiven Plummer, WR, Episcopal (Alexandria, VA)

The 6’3”, 200-pound wide receiver took an official visit to Rutgers this past weekend and, according to Rivals and 247Sports, will take an official to UVA this weekend with June trips also planned to Stanford and California. After signing Elijah Gaines in 2020 and Logan Taylor in 2021, UVA is looking to continue its streak of recruits who attended Episcopal.

Zach Rice, OL, Liberty Christian Academy (Lynchburg, VA)

The state of Virginia’s top overall prospect in the class of 2022 has Virginia in his final five along with Alabama, North Carolina, Notre Dame and Ohio State. The UVA legacy – his grandfather played football at UVA – has taken an unofficial visit to UNC and an official visit to Ohio State so far this month. He plans to take officials to Alabama and Notre Dame after this weekend.

Tariq Watson, CB, Helen Cox (Harvey, LA)

After signing five prospects from Louisiana in the classes of 2019 and 2020, the Hoos were unable to land a prospect from the Bayou State in class of 2021. Could the Hoos get back on track in 2022? UVA is expecting to host several class of 2022 prospects from Louisiana on official visits this month, including Watson this weekend. The likely cornerback prospect is a speedster, tweeting that he recently ran a 4.28-second 40 (unofficial). Idaho, Middle Tennessee State, Purdue and Tulane are other offers he is considering.