The Virginia football team continued to build success on the recruiting trail on Tuesday when 2025 cornerback Chris ‘CJ’ Spence made the call for the Cavaliers. He is the first commitment for the defensive side of the ball in the class.
Spence made the announcement on social media.
Spence’s commitment pushed the 2025 class up to 5 commitments. Each of the players rank in the top 25 prospects of their respective states. 247Sports currently ranks Spence as the No. 7 recruit in the state of Virginia and the No. 34 cornerback nationally. He joins Trinity Episcopal athlete Isaiah Robinson, who ranks No. 22 in the state rankings for 247. Offensive lineman Grayson Reid (No. 4 in Washington DC), offensive lineman Jon Adair (No. 24 in Tennessee), and quarterback Cole Geer (No. 5 in Massachusetts) round out the current list.
Rivals gave Spence a 4-star rating, while 247Sports has him at a 3-star rating currently. Multiple Power 5 schools had offered Spence, including Florida State, Georgia Tech, Duke, Mississippi, West Virginia, and Virginia Tech. He made his choice for the Hoos after multiple visits to Charlottesville, including one earlier this year.
Spence is listed at Mt. Zion Prep Academy in Maryland currently, but suited up at Kempsville High School in the Tidewater area of Virginia previously. He started off at Oscar Smith High School.
At 6’3”, 170 pounds, Spence has the potential to play a shutdown corner role with the ability to cover a lot of range on the field. That fits the mold of the versatile type defensive backs being sought by Virginia on the recruiting trail. If you look at the 2024 transfers, for example, Kempton Shine (6’0”, 184), Jermarian Jackson (6’2”, 175), and Kendren Smith (6’1”, 205) have a similar build. True freshman Dre Walker (6’3”, 180) worked his way into the lineup last fall for UVA as an another example.
Spence meets a need at cornerback in this class. The Cavaliers will lose at least Shine and Greene from the roster next season as both enter their final years of eligibility. While several players could be candidates as defensive backs from the 2024 high school class, only Kevon Gray is projected at corner initially.
Highlights for Spence can be found on his Hudl profile here.
Seems Elliot improving recruiting
These 2025 commits are more highly rated based on State rankings, not sure about National rankings. Hopefully they will prove to be better performers. UVA Football needs help at many positions.