The Virginia football team dipped into the transfer portal for the second time on Monday and added another commitment into the fold. Eastern Michigan cornerback Kempton Shine made his pledge to the program, joining Clemson tight end Sage Ennis as the latest to make the call for the Cavaliers.
The duo brought UVA’s incoming transfer total to 11 for this cycle. Ennis and Shine joined cornerback Jermarian Jackson (Robert Morris), quarterback Gavin Frakes (New Mexico State) receiver Trell Harris (Kent State), receiver Andre Greene Jr. (North Carolina), cornerback Kendren Smith (Pennsylvania), offensive lineman Drake Metcalf (Central Florida/Stanford), tight end Tyler Neville (Harvard), linebacker/defensive back Corey Thomas (Akron), and receiver Chris Tyree (Notre Dame) as incoming transfers.
Shine announced his choice on social media. He also visited Tulsa and James Madison before making a decision.
I’m an EAGLE 4L NOW VIRGINA IS MY NEW HOME. Blessed!!!! pic.twitter.com/KhzBXon7VR
— Kempton Shine (@ShineKempton29) January 8, 2024
Shine also became the second corner to commit this weekend and the fourth defensive back to decide to transfer in this offseason. Jackson announced his decision on Sunday, while Smith and Thomas made the move in December. It’s clear from the quartet that Virginia made the secondary a priority in the portal. That makes sense given the roster turnover in the defensive backfield as Tayvonn Kyle, Sam Westfall, and Coen King finished their college careers, while William Simpkins III, Dave Herard, and Lex Long entered the portal from UVA.
The moves address both the short-term needs and a longer timetable. Shine comes to UVA with one season of eligiblity remaining, which is true for Smith at cornerback and Thomas in a potential hybrid role as well. Jackson, meanwhile, still has three years of eligibility available.
At Eastern Michigan, Shine piled up plenty of experience as he appeared in 45 games. That included 4 games in 2019 as part of a redshirt season and 6 games in the pandemic-altered 2020 season (eligibility was frozen by the NCAA for all athletes that season). The 6’0″, 184-pound Chicago native made 176 tackles for the Eagles with 110 of the solo variety. He also had 27 pass defended with 1 interception, 2 forced fumbles, and 2 fumble recoveries. In 2022, he logged 12 pass breakups to become just the second EMU defensive back to reach double-digits since 2004.
Shine starred at St. Rita High School in Illinois where he was a three-year starter and a three-star recruit by 247 Sports. He made 160 tackles there with 118 solo stops.
High school highlights for Shine can be found on his Hudl profile here. Eastern Michigan also produced a ‘getting to know’ 2023 seniors video on Shine below.
