The Virginia football team returned to the practice fields this week as preseason preparations began for the 2024 season. On Friday, the Hoos returned to the recruiting trail too. UVA secured a commitment from Georgia receiver Josiah Abdullah to push the Class of 2025 up to 18 commitments.
Abdullah announced his decision on social media.
Being Legendary was always the only option…! ҉ #gohoos⚔️ @SteezoDsgn @RivalsFriedman pic.twitter.com/sE4F2IYwdm
— Josiah Abdullah (@13reasonz_) August 3, 2024
That commitment marked a return to Georgia for the Cavaliers, who have had some success in the state in recent years. There are currently 10 players listed on the roster from Georgia including receiver Jaden Gibson, safety Caleb Hardy, and defensive end Mekhi Buchanan that all got on the field as true freshmen last fall.
Abdullah (5’10”, 175) has been a standout at Woodward Academy where he helped the team reach the Georgia AAAAAA state title game last fall. As a junior, he posted 52 catches for 786 yards and 10 touchdowns. He had 536 receiving yards and 8 touchdowns as a sophomore. He has had a kickoff return touchdown each of the last two seasons as well. As part of the school track team, he became a state qualifer and the school record holder in the 200-meter event this past spring.
The receiver’s play drew the attention of many suitors on the recruiting trail. Abdullah had offers from Florida, Florida State, Auburn, Alabama, North Carolina, Michigan, and many more. He committed to the Gators originally in January, but decommitted in June to reopen his recruitment. Virginia offered in July and then closed the deal when Abdullah visited last week.
That marked the third receiver in the 2025 class for the Hoos, who are creating a stockpile for long-term plans at the position. Abdullah joins Isaiah Robinson and Dillon Newton-Short as commitments this cycle. They will join a team that currently lists 13 receivers as non-seniors on the roster. That group features juniors JR Wilson, Andre Greene Jr., Trell Harris, KJ Bratton, and Eli Wood, sophomores Suderian Harrison, Jaden Gibson, TyLyric Coleman, Claiborne Richards, and Titus Ivy, and freshmen Triston Ward, Kameron Courtney, and Trevor Ladd.
The 247Sports service rated Abdullah as a 3-star recruit, while Rivals lists him as a 4-star prospect. 247 has ranked him as the No. 74 player in the state of Georgia, while Rivals has him at No. 38. The overall class, which contains 18 commitments currently, sits at No. 51 nationally in the 247 rankings.
