While the transfer portal dominates the recruiting chatter in the spring for football programs, Virginia made a move in the high school ranks on Wednesday. The Cavaliers secured a commitment from Woodberry Forest defensive back Lukas Sanker as a late addition to the 2025 recruiting class.

The Charlottesville native announced his decision to stay home with UVA on social media.

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A post shared by ⱠɄ₭₳₴ ₴₳₦₭ɆⱤ ✞ ❸ (@lukas.sanker)

Sanker had previously committed to Harvard, who announced him as part of the incoming class earlier this month. He had an offer from Duke and interest from Princeton, Penn, JMU, and others. During the recruiting process last fall, Sanker had visited Virginia and ultimately decided to stay home.

Sanker played at Woodberry Forest School for coach Jackson Matteo, a former UVA offensive lineman. He earned all-state and all-conference honors as a sophomore, junior, and senior and was a team captain the past two seasons. MaxPreps credits him with 4 interceptions the past two seasons.

The 6’0”, 180-pound defensive back also competed in wrestling and indoor track. He was part of a relay that broke the school record in the 4x100-meter relay this spring. The quartet posted a 41.58 time. Sanker reports a 4.56 40-yard dash time and a 34.2-inch vertical leap on his Hudl profile.

He’s the latest member of his family to earn a spot on a college football team. Older brother Jonas Sanker just completed his career at Virginia as a two-time first-team All-ACC safety and was drafted by the New Orleans Saints. Brothers Nicholas Sanker and Kendrick Sanker played for Princeton and Hampton, respectively. Their father George played at Colgate.

Lukas Sanker joins the 2025 class, which has multiple potential defensive backs. Corey Costner enrolled for the spring semester and worked at safety, while CJ Spence, Josiah Persinger, Justin Rowe, and Montino Williams Jr. all could get looks in the secondary as well. That’s part of a heavy focus on the defensive backfield this offseason. UVA also picked up eight transfers for the secondary group.

Highlights for Sanker can be viewed here on his Hudl profile.

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