While high school recruiting may feature a long build-up to National Signing Day, the transfer portal and the other side of roster management exists on a much more rapid timeline. Virginia football coach Tony Elliott likened it a little bit to “speed dating” in just how quickly prospects and coaches have to get to know each other, what each side is looking for with a potential connection, and then a short turnaround time with decisions and paperwork.

The two-week sprint here in December produced 5 commitments from the portal for the Wahoos. 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) each made the decision to join the Virginia program in Charlottesville.

“It happens fast, because you can’t talk to them until they get into the portal. … So basically you got a two-week window to try to develop a relationship, evaluate it, and they’re typically more pointed on what they’re looking for,” Elliott said. “They’ve been through some of just the fluff of recruiting, so to speak, right? They’ve done the photo shoots. They’ve done a lot of those things. They want to know more about, okay, I’m leaving this institution to come to this institution, I have specific criteria that I’m looking for. You’re able to kind of get right down to what it is that they’re looking for.”

At least two of the incoming transfers saw an opportunity to return to their home state for a final year of eligibility.

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