University of Virginia football head coach Tony Elliott is addressing a major need on the offensive line through in-house moves, high school recruiting and the transfer portal. On Thursday (January 27), UVA added its second transfer at the position as 6’5”, 300-pound graduate transfer John Paul Flores announced his commitment.
Next Chapter 📖 pic.twitter.com/OvfvxJXmw4
— John Paul Flores (@76_jpflores) January 27, 2022
As Dartmouth’s full-time starter at left tackle in 2019 and 2021, Flores helped the Big Green to a combined 18-2 record and back-to-back Ivy League championships. Because he played in only four games as a true freshman in 2018, thus preserving his redshirt status, and because of the COVID year provided by the NCAA (Dartmouth canceled its 2020 season), Flores should have two years of eligibility remaining.
In addition to Virginia, Flores, a native of Arlington (TX), considered transfer offers from East Carolina, Miami (OH), SMU, Temple and Western Michigan, among others.
JP Flores becomes the second offensive line transfer to pick the Hoos, joining Georgetown’s Mac Hollensteiner, who announced his pledge last Sunday. Virginia has landed seven offensive line prospects in a seven-day span, including five high school class of 2022 recruits and the two grad-transfers. Coach Elliott has also moved current Cavalier true freshman Hugh Laughlin from the defensive line to the offensive line to further address the position, which now projects as follows in the 2022 season …
Seniors (1) – Derek Devine (Tackle)
Juniors (2) – Jonathan Leech (Tackle), Zachary Teter (Guard)
Sophomores (1) – Jestus Johnson III (Center/Guard)
Redshirt Freshmen (5) – Ty Furnish (Center), Noah Josey (Guard), Hugh Laughlin (Tackle/Guard), Charlie Patterson (Tackle/Guard), Logan Taylor (Tackle/Guard)
Transfers (2) – John Paul Flores, Mac Hollensteiner
Class Of 2022 Commitments (5) – Dawson Alters, Tapuvae Amaama, McKale Boley, Houston Curry, Noah DeMeritt
Virginia still needs more experience and sure-fire immediate impact depth on the offensive line, so look for Elliott and company to try and add at least one more transfer before next season. Washington State offensive lineman Brian Greene is one to watch, as he reportedly has scheduled an official to Virginia for March.
The Hoos continue to eye the defensive line transfers too. Former Michigan State defensive lineman Jack Camper enrolled on Grounds this month. This week, Elliott offered Columbia grad-transfer defensive end/outside linebacker Paul Akere and Miami (OH) defensive end Kam Butler,
UVA Scholarship Players In The Portal (Note: Those with * are seniors with extra eligibility because of COVID.)
OFFENSE
– Ira Armstead, QB, Redshirt Freshman – Transferring to Eastern Illinois
– Jacob Rodriguez, QB, True Freshman – Transferred to Texas Tech
– Wayne Taulapapa, RB, Senior* – Will not return to Virginia
– Jaylon Baker, WR/DB, Redshirt Junior
– Jesiah Davis, WR, True Freshman
– Ugo Obasi, WR, Junior – Indicated via Instagram that he will not return to Virginia
– Joshua Rawlings, TE, Redshirt Freshman – Has reportedly withdrawn from the transfer portal, will stay at UVA
– Kariem Al Soufi, OG, Redshirt Sophomore
– Joe Bissinger, OG, Redshirt Junior – Transferring to SMU
– Bobby Haskins, OL, Senior* – Transferring to Southern California
– Olusegun Oluwatimi, C, Senior* – Transferring to Michigan
– Ryan Swoboda, OT, Senior* – Transferring to Central Florida
DEFENSE
– Aaron Faumui, DL, Junior – As of this writing, he is on UVA’s projected 2022 roster.
– Nusi Malani, DL, Sophomore – Transferring to Washington State
– Olasunkonmi Ogunloye, DL, Redshirt Freshman – Has withdrawn from the portal, intends to stay at UVA
– Jordan Redmond, DL, Redshirt Junior – Will not return to Virginia.
– Noah Taylor, LB, Senior* – Transferring to North Carolina
–West Weeks, LB, Freshman – Transferring to LSU
– Tenyeh Dixon, DB, Redshirt Freshman – Transferring to Elizabeth City State
– Joseph White, DB, Redshirt Junior – Transferring to Norfolk State
