In-State 5-Star Zach Rice Set To Announce College Decision

Decision day has come for Liberty Christian Academy (Lynchburg, VA) offensive tackle Zach Rice, who is recognized as the consensus top prospect in the state of Virginia in the class of 2022 and a consensus top 20 overall prospect in the nation. The 6’6”, 285-pound senior will announce his commitment to either Alabama, North Carolina, Notre Dame, Ohio State or the University of Virginia.

**UPDATE: RICE COMMITTED TO NORTH CAROLINA**

🚨🚨🚨 Here is the link to watch Zach's commitment live! Live 8:15pm Eastern time on Thursday, October 21st. We truly appreciate all the love, support and prayers! So thankful for all the schools who believed in him.🙏 https://t.co/MV5yDc5Bc3

— Mary Rice (@Maryerice) October 19, 2021

Rice has been methodical in his decision-making process, announcing his five finalists on March 21 of this year before taking official visits to all five programs. UVA, where his grandfather played his college football, has been “front-and-center in the whole process from the get-go” according to LCA head coach Frank Rocco.

“Virginia has been very connected from the beginning of the process,” Rocco told TheSabre.com in an earlier interview following Rice’s official visit to UVA. “[Zach] is a high-level recruit with high-level programs showing interest. He wants to see how he could develop in those systems as well.”

“Zach is being very systematic when taking these trips,” Rocco said. “He has given numerical values to each of his criteria. I think UVA is right up there certainly, but he is doing a steady job of breaking down everything on all of these visits.”

If Rice were to choose Virginia, he would be the highest rated prospect to commit to the Hoos in the Mendenhall era and one of the most acclaimed prospects to ever sign with Virginia. He would also make an already bright future on the offensive line look even brighter. UVA features three true freshmen on the offensive line two-deep, and class of 2020 consensus 4-star Andrew Gentry is set to enroll next summer after completing a two-year LDS mission.

Rice is in the midst of another standout season at Liberty Christian, which is undefeated through six games and a serious state championship contender. LCA also features senior quarterback Davis Lane, who has verbally committed to the Hoos.