The Virginia football team added its latest commitment on Monday night and it quickly doubled the amount of offensive linemen in the early recruiting stages for the class of 2024. Naperville Central High School (Illinois) Grant Ellinger became the second player on the OL to pledge to the Hoos, joining Lake Braddock’s Benjamin York.
Ellinger announced his decision on social media.
100% Committed!!⚔️#GoHoos @UVAFootball @OfficialNCHSFB pic.twitter.com/RrZWD6QfgV
— Grant Ellinger (@grant_ellinger) June 5, 2023
The Cavaliers now have four players on board in 2024 with Ellinger the first out of state commit in the group. In addition to York, Ethan Minter from Thomas Dale and John Rogers from Episcopal picked UVA from the state of Virginia. All four commitments to date have been rated as 3-star recruitss by 247 Sports. 247 ranked Ellinger as the No. 34 recruit in the state of Illinois.
Ellinger picked Virginia over offers from Cincinnati and Kansas on the Power 5 level as well as ODU, Toledo, Bowling Green, Kent State, and Central Michigan among others. There were also offers from Yale, Harvard, Princeton, and Air Force, a reflection of his academic chops and a 3.94 GPA. The Cavaliers offered in late April and an official visit this weekend led to the commitment.
The Naperville Sun named Ellinger a first-team all-area pick and called him a “punishing blocker” that was the “team’s most consistent offensive player.” He earned all-conference honors alongside teammate John Penny as well.
Virginia likely projects Ellinger as an interior lineman, though linemen generally can shuffle around a bit depending on how their physical development progresses. The 6’4”, 270-pound prospect reported a 4.94 shuttle time, a 285-pound bench press, and a 450-pound squat on his Hudl profile.
Ellinger’s junior season highlights can be viewed here.
Seems like a great addition. Good student and he had some other impressive offers!