Virginia Football Strategy Session: Coaches Addressing Offensive Line, Defensive Front

By: Chris Horne |
The Virginia football team continues to add players in the 2018 class.
Coach Mendenhall and staff have reeled in commitments from 20 high school prospects in the class of 2018. Rivals.com ranks the group No. 41 in the nation as of August 3, 2017. ~ Kris Wright

The Virginia football program has secured 20 pledges so far in the class of 2018. Factor in running back prospect Wayne Taulapapa, who plans to enroll at UVA next summer following a two-year mission trip, and the Hoos have 21 recruits committed in this class.

An FBS-level football program can have 85 scholarship players in a given season. By my count, Virginia’s current projected scholarship total for the 2018 season stands at 84. If this number were to hold firm, Bronco Mendenhall would have only one scholarship available to use in the 2018 class. We know, though, that attrition (projected fifth-year seniors who aren’t invited back, transfers, etc.) will happen, so Mendenhall has more scholarship flexibility than is currently shown. In all likelihood, Virginia will have the flexibility to take a full 25-player class in 2018.

By position, let’s break down the 2018 season scholarship projection and examine potential remaining needs in this class.

Projected Virginia Football Scholarship Breakdown By Position, 2018 Season

Quarterback (3 scholarship players): De’Vante Cross (SOPH), Lindell Stone (RS FR or SOPH), Wyatt Rector (FR)

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