The Virginia football team added a recruit from a third different bucket on Thursday. Within 24 hours, the Hoos grabbed commitments from the transfer portal, the class of 2025, and the class of 2026. Michael Gildea filled in the third bubble as the offensive lineman made the call for the Cavaliers out of the class of 2026.

Gildea announced his decision on social media.

Gildea plays at the Hun School in New Jersey where his team posted a 9-1 record last season per MaxPreps. The offense averaged 42.0 points per game per with 455.1 passing yards and 157.9 rushing yards per game according to MaxPreps.

The 6'6", 290-pound lineman drew a lot of interest already on the recruiting circuit. In addition to UVA, he pulled offers from Boston College, Duke, North Carolina, Pittsburgh, Virginia Tech, Clemson, and Wake Forest within the ACC. Vanderbilt, Rutgers, and ODU were among his other offers. Gildea visted Virginia for a junior day event and for the Spring Game last month. He plans to take an official visit in June.

Gildea received 3-star ratings from 247 Sports, Rivals, and On3. 247 ranked him as the No. 24 prospect in the state of New Jersey, while Rivals had him at No. 15.

This is the second offensive line commitment for the Hoos in the 2026 high school recruiting cycle. They also picked up Dylan Biehl (6'4", 275) out of Georgia as a 3-star prospect. UVA brought in Jim Harris Jr. (6'5", 285), Jon Adair (6'5", 265), and Grayson Reid (6'3", 260) as O-Line recruits in the class of 2025. It's also been a position of focus in the transfer portal. Virginia added David Wohlabaugh Jr. (6'6", 301), Makilan Thomas (6'3", 315), Wallace Unamba (6'6", 335), Monroe Mills (6'7", 315), Kevin Wigenton II (6'5", 330), Tyshawn Wyatt (6'4", 318), and Brady Wilson (6'2", 300) this offseason.

Check out highlights for Gildea on his Hudl profile.

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