Thomas Dale's speedy all-purpose back in action at the Future 50. ~ Photo courtesy of Tyree's Twitter account

When Virginia announced Bronco Mendenhall as its head coach in December of 2015, skeptics wondered how well and how quickly Mendenhall, who brought most of his coaching staff from BYU to Charlottesville with him, would connect with high school coaches in the Commonwealth. On paper, UVA has yet to realize tremendous in-state success in the Mendenhall era - the Hoos signed four in-state prospects in 2019, three in 2018, and eight in 2017. The former BYU head man has done well, though, in terms of reaching out to Virginia high school coaches such as Thomas Dale's (Chester, VA) Kevin Tucker, who boasts one of the top overall prospects in 2020 in all-purpose running back Chris Tyree.

“It took a while in the getting-to-know-you process, but since day one [Coach Mendenhall and his staff] have had an open door for anyone to come up and visit and sit with them,” Tucker said. “They have done a great job of bridging the gap and making Virginia high school coaches feel welcome. I think it’s genuine. They show their true colors. [Coach Mendenhall] doesn’t try to hide who he is. He likes to be honest. There is no frill. He has a genuine love for what he does and his players, and that’s why they are still in the Chris Tyree sweepstakes.”

Tyree, a 5’10”, 175-pound junior, is rated by Rivals and 247Sports as the top all-purpose running back prospect in his class. He surpassed 1,000 yards rushing – 1,465 yards and 10 touchdowns on 177 carries to be precise – and had 337 yards and two touchdowns receiving in 2018. Tyree is a standout on defense and special teams as well.

Known for his outstanding speed, Tyree posted a 4.45-second electronically-timed 40 during The Opening Finals in Texas last summer and a 4.38-second electronically-timed 40 at the Elite 11 Regional in Charlotte last April. (In addition, Tyree posted a 36.7-inch vertical leap and a 4.26-second shuttle in Charlotte.) This month he captured the Class 6A state championship in the 55 meters, posting a personal best time of 6.3-seconds that is currently the nation’s top-ranked time this indoor season.

“Other teams account for where he is at all times,” Tucker said. “On defense he is a shut-down corner. On offense he can take it to the house on one play. On kickoffs, he is the first guy down to make a tackle. That’s the way he is.”

Schools from across the country have offered Tyree, who has handled recruiting – and all the attention that comes with it - in impressive fashion.

“Chris has always been a humble young man. I’ve been watching him play since little league,” Tucker said. “I think his parents have done a great job. They raised all three of their kids right. Chris has always been that way. He is a great role model.”

“I give the credit to my parents,” Tyree said of how he has been able to handle the recruiting process. “As a trio, me, my mom and dad, we figure out who is being truthful.”

So where does UVA stand with this talented student-athlete? Tyree included the Cavaliers with Florida State, Michigan, Mississippi State, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Penn State, Stanford, and Virginia Tech when he announced a top 10 on December 5, 2018. He has visited Virginia multiple times with the latest experience coming on February 9 for a Junior Day event.

“[Mendenhall and Virginia running backs coach Mark Atuaia] were explaining to me that I am a top priority there,” Tyree said. “I’m really important to them. They like that I’m an all-purpose player who can do a lot of things, whether it’s offense or special teams.”

Virginia has improved every year in the Mendenhall era, going 2-10 in 2016 and 6-7 in 2017 before achieving an 8-5 mark and winning the Belk Bowl in 2018. The Knights’ star has taken notice of the Cavaliers’ ascent, saying: “It’s easy to see they are definitely on the rise. If that’s not interesting to a recruit, I don’t know what is.”

Tyree has visited many schools unofficially already, noting that the opportunity to travel and see colleges in person is “one of my favorite parts” of the recruiting process. This weekend he has plans to see the University of Alabama for the first time. While not one of the top 10 schools listed in December, the Crimson Tide offered last month and obviously has Tyree’s attention.

Asked what the next step is in his recruitment, Tyree said: “I haven’t really done anything publicly yet, but I have a good top five in my head.”

Is there a common theme among the five schools Tyree is highest on at this point?

“Pretty much just comfortability with the staff and how I feel around campus,” Tyree said. “Also, how they would use me in their schemes.”

Virginia Has Offered Thomas Dale Class Of 2021 Defensive End

In addition to Tyree, Coach Tucker reports that the Hoos are showing “pretty strong interest” along with Duke and Wake Forest for do-everything junior Jasiah Williams and has offered a scholarship to talented sophomore defender Bryce Carter. Carter also boasts offers from Duke, Pitt, Virginia Tech and Wake Forest.

“Jasiah is 5’11”, 182 pounds,” Tucker said. “He plays safety and quarterback and receiver for us. He is being recruit as a slot receiver/safety. He broke his leg last year, but he still had a pretty good season. In four games he had 300 yards rushing, 150 yards receiving, 190 yards throwing.”

“Bryce is a 6’3”, 245-pound defensive end in the class of 2021,” Tucker said. “He’s a monster. He’s just like Chris. He has a 3.8 GPA. He’s humble and modest. I’ve been blessed to have a good run of those guys.”