“They Made Me A Priority”: Tight End Karson Gay Discusses Commitment To Virginia

The University of Virginia football coaching staff impressed Boyd Buchanan School (Chattanooga, TN) tight end prospect Karson Gay from the start.

“I really like how they handled my whole recruitment, from [Offensive Coordinator/Tight Ends/Inside Receivers Coach Robert] Anae to [Senior Scout Evan] Butts,” said Gay, a 6’6.5”, 232-pound junior who announced his verbal commitment to the Hoos on February 20. “They were in constant communication, always talking to me, setting up Zoom calls, and helping me and my family become as comfortable as we can be with Virginia and with the staff. Virginia was just different. They made me a priority and they made it known early.”

COVID-19 has led to a year-long (and counting) recruiting Dead Period, a time in which recruits are not allowed to have in-person contact with college coaches. Last spring, Bronco Mendenhall and his staff placed increased emphasis on virtual recruiting such as Zoom meetings, and their efforts played a role in the program landing its most highly acclaimed class in the Mendenhall era, a consensus top 30 haul.

Karson Gay verbally committed to UVA on February 20. He was the first 2022 Class prospect to pledge to the Hoos, who have since added Georgia athlete Rodney Hill to the fold. ~ Photo courtesy of Karson Gay

Virginia’s attention to detail when it comes to virtual recruiting also paid dividends with Gay, who described a virtual visit experiences with the Hoos as “amazing.”

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